About the USMMA Battle Standard Of the Nation’s five federal service academies, USMMA is the only one authorized to carry a battle standard as part of its Regimental Color Guard. USMMA’s midshipmen have put themselves in harm’s way in every action from WWII to this day. During WWII, 142 cadet-midshipmen joined vessels, but never returned The Academy’s Battle Standard proudly commemorates and perpetuates the memory of the 142 cadet-midshipmen who gave the last full measure of devotion in World War II. In their memory, the Battle Standard bears the number “142.”
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates leaders of exemplary character who are inspired to serve the national security, marine transportation, and economic needs of the United States as licensed Merchant Marine Officers and commissioned officers in the Armed Forces. The Academy, which was established under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, was dedicated as the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It is administered by the Maritime Administration under the auspices of the Department of Transportation. |