World War II Honoree

Joan P. Quinn

Branch of Service

U.S. Coast Guard

Hometown

New York, New York

Honored By

Joan J. Montana

Relationship

Friend

IN WWII, 1100 NORWEGIAN SHIPS SERVED THE ALLIED CAUSE BY HAULING SUPPLIES BETWEEN U.S. PORTS AND THE WAR THEATERS ABROAD. A SIZEABLE PART OF THE ALLIED FORCES WERE SUPPLIED BY SHIPS FLYING THE NORWEGIAN FLAG. MORE THAN 30,000 SAILORS AND NAVAL GUNNERS MANNED THE SHIPS. MANY OF THEM LOOKED TO NEW YORK, THE PRINCIPAL PORT OF CALL, AS THEIR HOME PORT DURING THE WAR. THE LOSSES WERE HEAVY; 570 SHIPS AND 4,000 SAILORS. SHE SERVED ON TWO SHIPS IN THE NORWEGIAN MERCHANT NAVY: THE M/S BAJAMAR IN 1944 AND THE D/S CARL OFTEDAL IN 1945 AS A RADIO TELEGRAPH OFFICER. THE D/S CARL OFTEDAL CARRIED 500 POUND BOMBS FOR THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE. DURING HER SERVICE ABOARD THESE SHIPS, SHE ENCOUNTERED A SUBMARINE ATTACK ON THE CONVOY AND ALMOST LOST HER LIFE DURING A TYPHOON, WHEN SHE SLIPPED ON A LADDER AND FELL INTO THE SEA. THANKS TO THE HEROIC ACTS OF HER FELLOW SAILORS, SHE WAS PULLED TO SAFETY. SHE WAS STATIONED IN LUZON AND BATANGAS BEFORE RETURNING TO THE U.S.