Since the First World War and World War II , many Merchant Marine officers have also held commissions in the United States Naval Reserve . Graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy are commissioned into the USNR by default if they do not choose to be commissioned in another service of the armed forces . A special badge , known as the Naval Reserve Merchant Marine Badge , has existed since the early 1940s to recognize such Merchant Marine personnel who are called to active duty in the Navy . World War II USMM were eligible for the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal , Merchant Marine Mariner 's Medal , Merchant Marine Combat Bar , Merchant Marine Atlantic War Zone Bar , Merchant Marine Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Bar , and Merchant Marine Pacific War Zone Bar . In 1946 , a Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal was established
Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal
Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal
History of the United States Merchant Marine