World War II Honoree

Louise Braithwaite Beale McCray Ewert

Hometown

Williamsburg, Virginia

Honored By

Margaret A. Ewert

Relationship

Daughter

SHE WAS WIDOWED WHEN HER HUSBAND JUNIOR 3RD MATE PAUL MCCRAY WAS LOST AT SEA 3-7-42 ON THE SS INDEPENDENCE HALL. SHE FOUND OUT SHE WAS NOT COVERED BY ANY TYPE OF 'WARTIME RISK' INSURANCE. SHE ASKED HER REPRESENTATIVE S. OTIS BLAND, TO DO SOMETHING FOR HER AND OTHER WIDOWS. HE ADDED AN AMENDMENT TO HIS OMNIBUS BILL 7424, GIVING WAR RISK INSURANCE TO FAMILIES OF MERCHANT MARINES BRING WAR MATERIALS OR UNDER CONVOY ORDERED. IT WAS PASSED, HOWEVER IT DID NOT COVER ANYONE WHO HAD ALREADY LOST THEIR LOVED ONES AS SHE HAD. SHE WORKED FOR THE FEDERAL SECURITY AGENCY FROM 5/42 TO 10/46. SHE RETIRED FROM THE GOVERNMENT AFTER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.