Ships of Mercy, the True Story of the Rescue of the Greeks, Smyrna, September 1922

by Christos Papoutsy

From the Preface . . .

For more than eighty years, Greek history has claimed that American warships were in the Smyrna harbor, yet provided no help. In fact, many Greeks have said that when the city’s citizens swam out to these ships, they were forced away. Stories were told of American sailors throwing scalding water on them, smashing their hands with tools, and pushing them away with poles. The Smyrna citizens who were rescued from the quay were supposedly saved by Japanese ships. America, many Greeks say, turned a blind eye. Furthermore, many Greeks hold America largely to blame for this nightmare occurring in the first place. They believe that the United States and her World War I Allies double-crossed the Greeks, by first ordering them to march into Turkey, then abandoning them when the Turks pushed the Greek army back to the coast.

Yet the facts about Smyrna have always been sketchy. Did events really unfold as many Greeks and others believe? We decided to find out the truth, as we believe that all sides need to know, without doubt, what occurred in Smyrna during September 1922.

About the Author

Christos Papoutsy (Papoutsis) was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, a second-generation Greek-American. His father was born in Vatoussa, Lesvos (Mytilene) and his mother’s family was from Asvestochori on the outskirts of Thessaloniki. He is a successful business executive, semi-retired now after a thirty-five-year career leading thousands of employees worldwide and developing his company into a global leader in the electronics industry.

Mr. Papoutsy is a business graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, with post-degree studies at Harvard University in law, mediation, and psychology. In 1961 he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from his alma mater. An active philanthropist in his local community and international circles, he holds the title of Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, among many other awards and distinctions.

He has lectured on business and business ethics at universities and institutions in Europe and the U.S., including Oxford University and the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce in Athens. In addition to his interest in business ethics, he has researched the Catastrophe of Smyrna extensively because of his contact with many Mikrasiastes on Mytilene, his father’s ancestral home, and has launched Hellenic Communication Service at the Web site: www.helleniccomserve.com, a not-for-profit news and information service for Greek communities.

6x9 hardcover, 264 pages, illustrations, ISBN13: 978-1-931807-66-1, Nonfiction, $30.00

Ordering Information

www.helleniccomserve.com/shipsofmercyc.html