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Offered here is an original World War I United States Navy War Service Certificate, issued to a sailor who served aboard one of the most legendary ships of the First World War — the U.S.S. Leviathan.
Document Details
- Issued to: Roland Charles Baltimore, U.S.N.
- Service Dates: November 23, 1917 – May 27, 1919
- Stations Noted:
- Receiving Ship, Norfolk, Virginia
- U.S.S. LEVIATHAN
- Certificate No.: 111728
- Signed by: Captain, U.S. Navy (Commanding Officer)
- Format: Official printed certificate with manuscript and typed entries
The U.S.S. Leviathan – A Ship of Enormous Historical Importance
The inclusion of the U.S.S. Leviathan elevates this document well beyond a standard service certificate.
Originally launched in Germany as the luxury ocean liner SS Vaterland in 1914, she was the largest passenger ship in the world at the time. At the outbreak of World War I, she was interned in New York Harbor, and in 1917, following the United States’ entry into the war, she was seized, refitted, and commissioned into the U.S. Navy as the U.S.S. Leviathan.
Converted into a massive troop transport, the Leviathan became the flagship of the U.S. Navy’s transport fleet and played a critical role in the Allied war effort. Between 1917 and 1919, she transported over 100,000 American troops to Europe, making repeated transatlantic crossings under threat of German U-boats.
Her scale and capacity were unmatched — capable of carrying over 10,000 troops in a single voyage, she was one of the most important logistical assets of the war. After the Armistice, she continued service bringing American soldiers home, marking her place as one of the most significant naval vessels of the First World War.
Documents directly referencing service aboard the Leviathan are highly sought after by collectors of naval, maritime, and WWI history.
Condition
- Noticeable water staining across the upper portion, affecting the central crest
- Edge wear and loss at the top margin, including small areas of paper loss
- Original fold lines present
- Overall toning consistent with age
Despite condition issues, the document remains fully legible and displayable, with strong visual appeal and clear identification of the Leviathan service.
Collector Appeal
- Direct connection to one of WWI’s most famous troop ships
- Named sailor with specific service dates and stations
- Classic U.S. Navy certificate format with period typography
- Strong crossover interest: military, naval, maritime, and ocean liner collectors
Final Notes
A compelling and affordable entry into U.S. Navy and WWI maritime history, anchored by one of the most iconic ships ever to serve under the American flag.
