[CHAPTER 71-1ST SESSION] [H. J. Res. 92] JOINT RESOLUTION To authorize the refund by the War Shipping Administrator of certain freights for transportation on frustrated voyages. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Administrator, War Shipping Administration, is authorized to refund to shippers or their authorized representatives sums collected by or for account of the United States as freight for transportation which was not completed by reason of frustration of the voyage on or about December 1, 1941, and before February 16, 1942: Provided, That when the United States has incurred any expense in connection with such frustrated voyages the refund shall be prorated upon such basis as the Administrator shall deem appropriate. Approved April 26, 1943. (502) [CHAPTER 81-1ST SESSION] [H. R. 2238] AN ACT To authorize the return to private ownership of certain vessels formerly used or suitable for use in the fisheries or industries related thereto. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any vessel formerly used or suitable for use in the fisheries or industries related thereto the title to which has been or may hereafter be acquired by the United States through purchase or requisition may be returned to private_ownership in accordance with the provisions of this Act. SEO. 2. Every such vessel shall, upon determination by the department or agency having possession thereof that the vessel is no longer needed or can be spared by such department or agency without detriment to its service, be made available to the Administrator of the War Shipping Administration (hereinafter referred to as the Administrator), who shall notify the owner from whom such vessel was purchased or requisitioned that the vessel may be returned to such owner upon repayment to the United States of the compensation paid therefor less such allowances as the Administrator may deem reasonable (1) to cover the cost of such reconditioning as the Administrator and the owner may find necessary to make the vessel suitable for use in the fisheries or industries related thereto (ordinary wear and tear excepted), and (2) to compensate such owner for the use of the vessel by the United States, and upon compliance with such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may prescribe. The determination of such allowances by the Administrator shall be final notwithstanding any other provision of law. SEO. 8. If any such owner shall fail, within a reasonable time after notice (which time shall be specified in the notice but may be extended by the Administrator), to make arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator for such return of the vessel or shall expressly waive the right thereto, the Administrator may advertise the vessel for sale upon competitive sealed bids subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may prescribe, including a requirement of assurance that the vessel will not be used, for the period of one year from the date of sale, other than in the fisheries or industries related thereto, without the approval of the Administrator: Provided, however, That the Administrator may reject any bid which does not equal the purchase price or compensation paid or payable by the United States for such vessel less a reasonable allowance to cover the cost of reconditioning as hereinabove defined. SEO. 4. The Administrator may withhold from the funds received for the return or sale of any such vessel the expenses incurred by him in such return or sale, and shall pay over the balance of such receipts to the department or agency by which such vessel was made available. Approved April 29, 1943. [CHAPTER 96-1ST SESSION] AN ACT To provide for the issuance of devices in recognition of the services of Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Administrator, War Shipping Administration, is hereby authorized to provide and issue (a) a seamen's service insignia of appropriate design to any person who, at any time during the period (hereinafter referred to as the war period) beginning December 7, 1941, and ending with the termination of the present war, serves on any vessel in the American merchant marine, and (b) a seamen's war zone insignia or device of appropriate design to any person who, at any time during the war period, serves on any vessel in the American merchant marine while sailing in any war or combat zone. SEC. 2. The Administrator is authorized to provide and issue a seamen's honor bar to any person who, at any time during the war period, serves on any vessel in the American merchant marine which, at the time of such service, is attacked or damaged by an instrumentality of war. The Administrator is further authorized to provide and issue a star (to be attached to such bar) to any such person who is forced to abandon such vessel when so attacked or damaged, with an additional star for each such abandonment. SEC. 3. The Administrator is authorized to provide and award a medal of appropriate design and a ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person who, while serving on any vessel in the American merchant marine during the war period, is wounded, suffers physical injury, or suffers through dangerous exposure as a result of an act of an enemy of the United States. SEC. 4. The Administrator shall prescribe appropriate conditions of eligibility for the issuance or award of insignia or medals under this Act. Not more than one insignia or medal of each type provided herein shall be issued or awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding service of any person sufficient to justify the award of a medal under section 3 of this Act, the Administrator may award a suitable bar, emblem, or insignia to be worn with the medal. In case any person who performs service sufficient to justify the award of a medal under section 3 dies before the award can be made to him, the award may be made and the medal presented to such representative of the deceased as the Administrator deems proper. No award of any insignia, medal, or device shall be made hereunder after two years after the termination of the present war. SEC. 5. The Administrator is authorized to approve a design for a seamen's service flag which may be displayed, and a design for a service lapel button which may be worn, by members of the immediate family of a person serving in the American merchant marine during the war period. In approving any design under this section, the Administrator may approve the design approved by the Secretary of War under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved October 17, 1942 (Public Law 750, Seventy-seventh Congress), but only if the Secretary of War shall consent thereto and the Administrator shall approve for use in connection therewith a distinctive insignia or other device designating service in the American merchant marine. The Administrator, upon approval of the design for such service flag and service lapel button, shall cause notice of such approval and a description of the flag and button to be published in the Federal Register. SEC. 6. (a) The Administrator is authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Act. (b) The Administrator is authorized to expend out of any funds available for expenditure by the War Shipping Administration such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Approved May 10, 1943. [CHAPTER 105—1ST SESSION] [H. R. 2581] AN ACT Authorizing the acquisition and conversion or construction of certain landing craft and district craft for the United States Navy, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Navy is hereby authorized to acquire and convert or to undertake the construction of one million tons of landing craft and district craft of such size, type, and design as he may consider necessary and best suited for the conduct of amphibious operations, for service to the fleet and shore-based forces, and for naval districts, stations, bases, and operating areas at home and abroad, such craft to be in addition to all auxiliary vessels or craft heretofore authorized. SEC. 2. There is hereby authorized to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act. Approved May 26, 1943. (506) |