John J Waller served in the Merchant Marine in 1937, 1938 and 1939. He served
on the SS Tulsa as a deck cadet from 1 Feb 1937 to 18 Jun 1937. He served
on the SS Sundance as an O.S. from 3 Mar 37 to 23 Nov 37. He had three tours
on the SS Shickshinny between 3 Mar 38 and 13 Jun 39 as first an O.S. and
then as an A.B. and finally served on the SS Schoharie as an A.B. from 6 Jul 39
to 17 Jul 39.

John joined the Navy and was a Seaman 2/c in an Armed Guard Crew aboard the
USAT Merrimack when it was torpedoed by an enemy submarine 9 June 1942. His
actions and devotion to duty following the explosion resulted in him being
awarded the Silver Star.

The pictures and documents below are part of the documentation of the events
for which he received this award.