Branch of Service
U.S. Merchant Marine
Hometown
Brooklyn, New York
Honored By
A Grateful Nation
MASTER, SS BUSHROD WASHINGTON AND SS LAKELAND VICTORY. AS NAVAL COMMANDER OF LANDING OPERATIONS IN SALERNO, ITALY SEPTEMBER 14, 1943, HE DETERMINEDLY LABORED FOR 9 DAYS TO DELIVER HIS DAMAGED SHIP'S CRITICAL CARGO TO SHORE AND LATER TOWED HIS SHIP TO BIZERTE, TUNISIA, FOR REPAIRS. FOR HIS UNFALTERING COURAGE, INDOMITABLE DETERMINATION, AND EXPERT SEAMANSHIP IN ACCOMPLISHING HIS MISSIONS UNDER TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES, COMMANDER WAINWRIGHT WAS AWARDED THE MERCHANT MARINE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL.