My dad was a merchant marine during WWII in both the Atlantic and the Pacific.
He said their fear of u-boats was real, but secondary to their fear of the weather.
He said you can’t hide from, trick, deceive, or fight back against the weather.
(miss you, dad)
Merchant mariners are the highest heroes of WWII’s sea war, in my estimation, and my father was USN WWII. I wear my USMMA tie, which I did not earn, with pride and humility.
You should be very proud of your father’s service.
It took 40 some years but in the late 1980’s, the DOD gave merchant mariners who served in WWII, veterans status.
Several friends of my late father-in-law immediately joined the American Legion when granted that status. There is a granite memorial at the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine to honor the merchant mariners from Maine who lost their lives during WWII.
I don’t believe the VWF permits mercant mariners with veterans status to join.