Capt. William Atkinson
Master Mariner

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Captain William J. Atkinson, Master Mariner, veteran of three wars, died in Baltimore in March 1995.

On February 2nd, 1931, Bill enrolled as Deck Cadet in the fourth class at New York State Merchant Marine Academy. He joined the training ship USS NEWPORT at Brooklyn Navy Yard. This was a three masted barkentine with triple expansion reciprocating engine and coal fired boiler.

Bill obtained his 3rd Mate's License on August 9th, 1933. On October 2nd, 1933, he graduated from the New York State Merchant Marine Academy. Sailed on the:

S.S. BLACK GULL

S.S. BLACK FALCON

S.S. WEST ARROW

S.S. EVELYN,

S/T SYLVAN ARROW

S.S. TEXAS RANGER

S.S. EDWARD LUCKENBACH

Jan 2 1937, Joined Masters, Mates & Pilot, Local 90, at San Pedro.

Feb 22 1937, Obtained 2nd Mate's License. Continued sailing on the:

S.S. PENMAR

S.S. F. J. LUCKENBACH

S.S. FLORENCE LUCKENBACH

S.S. NEVADA

S.S. CARIBE

Feb 1942, Obtained Chief Mate's License in Baltimore. Continued sailing on the:

M/T WILLIAM C. MCTARNAHAN

S.S. BENJAMIN CHEW

USAT GRAY LAG

USAT ALAMO

USAT FRED C. AINSWORTH

On July 10th, 1944, he joined the U.S.M.S. with rank of Lt. Cmdr. and was given one month active duty to attend upgrading school at Baltimore, Maryland. He obtained his Master's License on August 19th, 1944, and sailed as Master on the following vessels:

S/T FISHERS HILL

S.S. WILLIAM GRAYSON

S.S. WILLIAM R. LEWIS

S.S. CHARLES HULL

S.S. ARTHUR RIGGS

S.S. JUNIUS SMITH

S.S. DIDDO

S.S. TRANSATLANTIC

S.S. MANDOIL

S.S. JOHN PAUL JONES

S.S. ADMIRAL DEWEY

S.S. NATIONAL MARINER

S.S. NATIONAL LIBERTY

S/T NATIONAL PEACE

S.S. ALBATROSS

S/T NATIONAL DEFENDER

S/T NATIONAL PEACE

S.S. NATIONAL SEAFARER

S.S. NORINA

S/T PENN SAILOR

S/T WESTERN CLIPPER

S/T WESTERN HUNTER

S/T OVERSEAS

S.S. SEAMAR

Captain Atkinson held the following awards:

Atlantic War Zone Bar

Pacific War Zone Bar

Mediterranean War Zone Bar

Middle East War Zone Bar

The Merchant Marine Defense Bar

Victory Medal

Korean Service Bar

The Merchant Marine Combat Bar

Vietnam Service Bar

Mar 1975 Retired from MM&P.