Vahram “Gus” Guzelian: 1926-2024

Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), sponsor of the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020 in the House of Representatives, on May 20, 2022 presented the Congressional Gold Medal to U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II during a conference hosted by the Nautical Institute in San Francisco, Calif. Among those recognized at the ceremony was U.S. Merchant Marine Veteran of World War II Gus Guzelian. With them is AMO President Willie Barrere.

Vahram “Gus” Guzelian, a U.S. Merchant Marine Veteran of World War II, as well as a sailing member and later an official of the union that became American Maritime Officers for a total of nearly 50 years, died on June 28. He was 98.

He was born in 1926 in Massachusetts. Guzelian’s family endured the Great Depression and he became a merchant mariner at age 16. His sailing career took him around the world in peace and in war. He became a member of this union in November 1957 sailing for Isbrandtsen Co. He continued sailing through the end of 1968 before beginning work as a union official. For nearly five years, his work for the union was interspersed with seagoing work as an engineering officer with companies including Pan Oceanic Tanker Corp., Isthmian Lines, and Victory Carriers. His last rotation concluded in January 1973.

Beginning in April 1973, Guzelian worked shoreside full-time for the union. He served the AMO membership as a boarding representative on the West Coast and as a member of the AMO Executive Board. He retired in January 2007.

In May 2022, Guzelian was honored with the Congressional Gold Medal for his service in World War II during a ceremony in California.

“Gus was a West Coast AMO icon, meeting vessels sporting his Members Only jacket, and giving officers a ride in his Oldsmobile Cutlass,” said AMO President Willie Barrere. “Gus always had a good story, a salty demeanor, and will certainly be missed by those of us who are fortunate to have known him.”