As part of the celebration of National Maritime Day, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today honored the men and women of the U.S. merchant marine who risk their lives on wartime seas. This year’s ceremony at Navy Memorial Auditorium paid special tribute to the action of mariners during World War II. Following the presentation of the colors and a moment of silence, Secretary Mineta spoke of WWII merchant mariners who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation. "They traveled unarmed, often into dangerous waters, to support our Armed Forces overseas. Merchant mariners crewed the Liberty ships, the Victory ships, and thousands of other ships that carried troops and many tons of materiel for the Allied cause in World War II. Nearly 215,000 people served in the U.S.