Battle stars for the "Cactus Navy"

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"Following Pearl Harbor, the Navy obtained 700 vessels from private owners, armed them, designated them patrol yachts or patrol craft, and sent them to sea. The vessels spanned the spectrum from yacht to waterfront work-horse -- fishing vessel, whaler, tug, and freighter. San Diego tuna fishermen donned Navy uniforms without the benefit of "boot camp" training and went off to war. They were joined by fishermen and yachtsmen from ports and harbors accross America. Vessels at Guadalcanal, Saipan, Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Leyte, and Balikpapan earned battle stars; officers and men aboard them received the Navy Cross, and other awards for acts of heroism performed under fire. All of the unheralded vessels served when called, and mustered out when no longer needed."--Back cover.