One of the earliest awards established to honor the service of Merchant Marine sailors during wartime, the Merchant Marine Combat Bar was authorized by an act of Congress that was approved on 10 May 1943. In addition to establishing the different War Zone ribbons for Merchant Marine personnel, the act also authorized the Administrator of the War Shipping Administration to issue a “seaman’s honor bar” to anyone serving on a vessel in the U.S. Merchant marine that was attacked or damaged by an “instrumentality of war,” language specifically included to cover mine attacks.
The act also authorized the issuance of stars that were to be attached to the Combat Bar of any Merchant Mariner who was forced to abandon a ship that had been attacked or damaged, with additional stars being awarded for subsequent abandonments. According to Maritime Administration records, nearly 115,000 Combat Bars were issued, which gives us an idea of just how frequently Merchant Marine vessels found themselves under attack.
The Combat Bar is no longer awarded, having been superseded by other medals created by the War Shipping Administration, U.S. Maritime Administration, and the Department of Transportation.