There is a large P-2 troop carrier ocean going propeller in front of the Merchant Marine Museum at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. My grandfather served as an officer on the U.S.S. Buckner in WWII.
Inside there are many exhibits of the Merchant Marine Service, once the most integrated (both minorities and in ages of troops) service in the US armed forces, though granted only half the pension and recompense of the other branches, though suffered the most casualties as a percentage of those involved in the conflict of World War II.
In the 1970s the Emperor of Japan's "Sword of Surrender" a plain white samurai sword given to the US during the terms of surrender signed, was stolen from this museum. It was returned in the 1990s with a note that explained that the person who took it did so to draw attention to the lack of treatment merchant mariner veterans received. Just recently the Canadian government recompensed to equal amount their own merchant mariners to reflect their other armed services. However, the US has yet to. When the "thief" died of cancer, he left instructions for its return. It was left on the entrance step with a note explaining the theft and reason for it.
I was there when it went back on exhibit when as part of the annual meeting of the National Maritime Historical Society, we visited the museum. There is a monument to Merchant Mariners in Battery Park in lower Manhattan.
Google Earth Download U.S. Merchant Marine Museum - Large propeller.kmz
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