WWII Merchant Marine Story Comes to Valley City

Gail Pederson to share her father's memoirs and experiences as a 'Sparky' radio officer in the Merchant Marines during WWII.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:59pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of a merchant ship sailing through choppy waters, with only the faint outline of the vessel visible through the soft, warm glow of the sun's reflection on the waves, conceptually representing the overlooked sacrifices of the Merchant Marines during World War II.The untold stories of the U.S. Merchant Marines, who risked their lives to transport critical supplies during WWII, are finally being shared with the public.Valley City Today

The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series is hosting a presentation by Gail Pederson on Thursday, April 16th, about the experiences of her father, Charles W. Bartlett, who served as a 'Sparky' radio officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. Pederson will share her father's memoirs, mementos, and letters home, detailing his training and journeys to 44 countries to deliver critical supplies for the Allied Forces.

Why it matters

The U.S. Merchant Marines played a vital but often overlooked role during WWII, suffering the highest casualty rate of any service at around 1 in 26 deaths. This presentation aims to shed light on the sacrifices and contributions of these civilian mariners who transported troops, fuel, and supplies without military protection, frequently targeted by enemy forces.

The details

During WWII, approximately 243,000 U.S. Merchant Mariners transported critical troops, supplies, and fuel, creating the largest sea lift in history. However, 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, but these mariners 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.

  • The presentation will take place on Thursday, April 16th, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
  • The Barnes County Historical Society Lecture Series is in its 25th season.

The players

Gail Pederson

A lifelong resident of Valley City, North Dakota, who will be presenting the story of her father's experiences as a 'Sparky' radio officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII.

Charles W. Bartlett

Gail Pederson's father, who served as a 'Sparky' radio officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII, and whose memoirs, mementos, and letters home will be the basis of the presentation.

Barnes County Historical Society

The organization hosting the lecture series, which is in its 25th season.

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What’s next

The lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Wes Anderson at the Barnes County Historical Society.

The takeaway

This presentation aims to shed light on the vital but often overlooked role played by the U.S. Merchant Marines during WWII, who suffered the highest casualty rate of any service but were not recognized as veterans until decades later. By sharing her father's personal experiences, Gail Pederson hopes to honor the sacrifices and contributions of these civilian mariners.