Tidbit:
Merchant Marine Heroes: Meritorious Service Medals Awarded "for Conduct or
Service of a Meritorious Nature" during World War II
Walls, Norman E. Jr.
Master, MS Sun
While berthed in Bari, Italy, his tanker, MS Sun, loaded with aviation
gasoline, was placed in serious jeopardy when an adjacent Liberty ship, with
a capacity cargo of bombs, exploded. In the resulting fire, which spread to
the bombs, ammunition and gasoline stowed on the docks, Captain Walls gave
orders to shift berth to the outer harbor. Under his direction the partially
dismantled engines were reassembled and the six mooring lines from the stern
to the dock as well as two wire cables to the quay were let go, thus
enabling the Master to maneuver his ship through a dangerous area containing
many wrecks to a safe anchorage in the outer harbor. Captain Walls' courage,
seamanship and utter disregard of personal safety were mainly responsible
for saving his ship and vital cargo, as well as the lives of his trained
crew, and will be a lasting inspiration to all seamen of the United States
Merchant Marine. [Walls lived in Drexel Hill, PA] July 11, 1946 |
