Rank and Name, Staff Officer (Vice Flottila Commander-SO Auxiliary) George W. Masters.
Unit/Placed in, United States Merchant Marine and United States Coast Guard.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Founded 5 April 1933, was a voluntary public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men ages 18–25 and eventually expanded to ages 17–28.
The CCC was a major part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
George is born on 22 September 1922 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Father, George W. Masters.
Mother, Clara Florence Pemberton.
Sister(s), Daisey Bell, Essie Marie, Lorene Anna, Elizabeth W. and Minnie Masters.
Brother(s), Jesse, Edward Harry, Jay William and David Franklin Masters .
George enlisted the service on 2 Dec 1942 with service number # 33411845.
After his time served in the Civilian Conservation Corps he enlisted the service for a time in the United States Merchant Marines serving as an Armed Guard on the SS John Fitch (USAT) and later on with the United States Coast Guards.
Because Merchant Mariners were civilians, they did not qualify for any military medals or ribbons. However, the US Merchant Marine issued its own medals and ribbons to mariners, such as this Combat Action Ribbon. This award signifies that the recipient served on a merchant vessel that came under enemy attack during the war. The attached silver star means that the recipient was forced to abandon his ship.
George survived the 2nd WW and died at the V.A. Hospital in Leavenworth, Kansas after a brief illness on 24 May 2005, he is honored with a Gallant Ship Citation, Flotilla Meritorious Achievement Award, Coast Guard Auxiliary 5 Year Member, Coast Guard Auxiliary past Officer badge, Coast Geodetic Survey Pacific War Zone Medal, Silver Eagle WW2 “Merchant Marine”, Merchant Marine Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Medal, Merchant Marine Mariners Medal, Merchant Marine World War 2 Victory Medal.
And Various Insignia from United States Coast Guard an Merchant Marines.
George is buried at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas, USA.
Thanks to, Family Members from George Masters.
Jean Louis Vijgen, ww2-Pacific.com ww2-europe.com
Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.
ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov
Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker
Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/
Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org
POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.
Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/ Robert Capistrano
National Historian
Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com
Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org
Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/
Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org
Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com
Tank Destroyers, http://www.bensavelkoul.nl/
Ribbonbar
Top Left, Combat Action Ribbon
Top Right, Atlantic War Zone
2nd Row 1, Mediterranean and Middle East War Zone Medal
2nd Row 2, Pacific War zone Medal
2nd Row 3, WW2 Victory Medal
3rd Row 1, Philippines Liberation Medal
3rd Row 2, Coast Guard Unit Citation
3rd Row 3, Aux. Specialty Training
4th Row 1, Examiner Program
4th Row 2, Instructor
4th Row 3, Service Award
5th Row 1, Instrucktor Program
5th Row 2, Aux. Flotilla Meritorious Achievement
5th Tow 3, Flotilla C.M.E. Achievemant
Looks like most of his service after the Merchant Marine was with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and that’s what about half his ribbon bars are for. Though a lot of them don’t match what the Coast Guard Auxiliary currently awards, so they are probably older ones. His Merchant Marine Awards in order, starting too left are the Combat Bar (means his ship was attack or damaged) , Atlantic War Zone Medal, Mediterranean and Middle East War Zone Medal, Pacific War zone Medal, World War Two victory medal, Philippines Liberation Medal and the Coast Guard Unit Citation (an active coast guard award that can be also awarded to Auxiliaries. Hope this gives you a good start. Neat stuff.
