World War II Honoree

Bill Eskew

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Yukon, Oklahoma

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

VOLUNTEERED FOR SERVICE WITH THE U.S. MARITIME SERVICE (USMS) AFTER GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL. USMS WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING MEN FOR THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE. THE MERCHANT MARINE WAS A CIVILIAN AUXILIARY OF THE U.S. NAVY THAT OPERATED A FLEET OF CIVILIAN-OWNED SHIPS THAT CARRIED CARGO AND PASSENGERS TO ALL FRONTS. AFTER BASIC SEAMAN TRAINING, SERVED DURING THE WAR AS AN ABLE SEAMAN ABOARD CARGO SHIPS. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AND AWARDED THE VICTORY MEDAL, AND HONORABLE SERVICE BUTTON. ISSUED THE MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE EMBLEM.