America Is Finally Remembering the Merchant Mariners Who Carry Its Power

The Ugly Ducklings of American Power

By Bruce Kimbrell (Policy Op-Ed)

On July 17, history quietly turned on the waterfront.

Admiral Karl Thomas, Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, presented the first Presidential Unit Citation ever awarded to a civilian-crewed ship in Military Sealift Command’s 77-year history. The ceremony marked far more than a military milestone. It represented one of the highest national honors ever bestowed upon America’s merchant mariner, reflecting a broader national rediscovery of their strategic importance.

When the crew of USNS Kanawha accepted the Presidential Unit Citation, awardedby President