VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series Season 25 presents Gail Pederson: “A WWII Merchant Marine Story.” 7:00 PM Thursday, April 16th, at the Barnes County Museum.

During World War II, approximately 243,000 U.S. Merchant Marines transported critical troops, supplies, and fuel—creating the largest sea lift in history. Roughly 9,521 were killed and more than 700 ships were sunk by enemy fire. Merchant ships carried 7.3 million soldiers to overseas theaters.  These marines served without military armor and were frequent targets of German U-boats and Japanese forces. Shipwrecks often meant death by drowning, exposure, or starvation—especially on ships carrying ammunition or fuel. Though civilians working under the War Shipping Administration, they were not recognized as veterans until 1988. Gail Pederson will share the story of the U.S. Merchant Marines in World War II, including why they suffered the war’s highest casualty rate (about 1 in 26 died). From her Father, Charles W. Bartlett’s memoirs, mementos, and letters, she will track his training as a “Sparky” radio officer and journeys to 44 countries to deliver rubber, and fuel around the world for the Allied Forces.

Gail is a lifelong resident of Valley City. She and her husband, Dennis, live on the family farm south of town. They have three grown sons and seven grandchildren. Gail has been an RN for 46 years and currently serves as the primary nurse for the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation. The Pederson’s own Pederson Pottery, offering classes and group events painting bisque ware, plus sales of fine art and functional hand-thrown pottery.

All Lectures are at the Barnes County Historical Society Museum and held in conjunction with Valley City State University.  They are free and open to the public.

For more information contact Wes Anderson at 701-845-0966.