Zinke Bestows Congressional Gold Medal to WWII Merchant Mariner Dr. Maury Irvine

BOZEMAN, MT - Today, Congressman Ryan Zinke had the distinct honor of bestowing the Congressional Gold Medal to Montana’s Dr. Maury Irvine of Bozeman. During World War II, nearly 250,000 civilian merchant mariners served as part of the U.S. military and delivered supplies and armed forces personnel by ship to foreign countries engulfed in the war. Between 1939 and 1945, 9,521 merchant mariners lost their lives — a higher proportion than those killed than in any military branch, according to the National World War II Museum.  

“As the late Conrad Burns would say, not bad for a kid from Montana. Looking at Dr. Irvine is looking at an American hero,” said Rep. Zinke. “He’s spent a century in a constant commitment to making America a better place, and he has. Being a Merchant Mariner requires dedication, resilience, and readiness – and at the time Maury served it required more. Since surviving one of the most dangerous missions in WWII, Maury has proceeded to be an example that anyone who stays resilient and ready can live an incredible life. It is my honor to recognize Dr. Maury Irvine with the Congressional Gold Medal.”

Access photos from the event here.

About the award: 

Dr. Irvine received The Congressional Gold Medal, which is considered the most distinguished award that Congress bestows. Since 1776, this award, which initially was bestowed on military leaders, has also been given to such diverse individuals as Sir Winston Churchill and Bob Hope, George Washington and Robert Frost, Joe Louis, and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. 

In 2020 Congress passed the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act to recognize the merchant mariners for their courage and contributions during the war. 

During World War II, nearly 250,000 civilian merchant mariners served as part of the U.S. military and delivered supplies and armed forces personnel by ship to European countries engulfed in the war. Merchant Mariners were highly targeted by German submarines making the Atlantic crossing one of the most dangerous missions in the war. Between 1939 and 1945, 9,521 merchant mariners lost their lives — a higher proportion than those killed than in any military branch, according to the National World War II Museum.

About Dr. Irvine: 

Maury was born in San Francisco on January 5th, 1924, before moving to Gold Camp Montana with his family. At that time Gold Camp was a small mining town, Maury rode a horse 5 miles every day to get to school. His family lost their ranch in Gold Camp during the Great Depression, and they were forced to move to Butte where he graduated from Butte High in 1941. Pearl Harbor and the start of WWII changed Maury’s life and inspired him to join the Navy, unfortunately, he was rejected due to his poor eyesight. Instead, he joined the Merchant Mariners and served as a Radio Officer until 1946.

Maury lived an impressive life after the war; returning home to attend Montana State College in Bozeman then Lehigh University for his PhD in Physics. At Montana State College he met the love of his life, Lois Lessley. They went steady for a while and on New Year’s Eve they eloped and got married by the justice of the peace at the Livingston jail. 

Dr. Irvine played a tremendous role in developing versions of the early transistorized digital computer, allowing computers to be small enough to fit into airplanes. Maury is also credited with early development of the defense system of our nation’s ICBMs and discovering a star that now bears his name. After a long and successful career Maury retired and moved back to Bozeman. Lois would pass away there after 60 years of marriage. After his wife’s death Maury took up traveling, visiting over 52 nations globally, studying with the Dalai Lama, and still making time to volunteer at the Museum of the Rockies. He is now 100 years old and still lives on his own. 

###