From September 16, 1942 to March 21, 1950, these grounds were the site of the Pass Christian United States Merchant Marine Cadet Corps Basic School. From here and the sister school at San Mateo, California, over 6000 undergraduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, went to sea in war and peace. The cadets who, in the course of their training or subsequent service, gave their lives for their country are honored here.