Marine Barracks Kittery, ME

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Branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Members

About Marine Barracks Kittery, ME

Marine Barracks Kittery, ME, was established in the early 19th century to provide security and support for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a vital U.S. Navy facility located on Seavey Island. Marines stationed at the barracks played a crucial role in safeguarding the shipyard’s operations, personnel, and infrastructure, particularly during periods of heightened military activity such as the Civil War and both World Wars. The unit was also responsible for maintaining discipline among naval personnel and participated in ceremonial duties. Marine Barracks Kittery was eventually deactivated in the late 20th century as part of broader military restructuring, but its legacy endures in the region’s rich military history.

Unit Members

Wayne Parker

U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Barracks Kittery, MEView Profile

David Higdon

U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Barracks Kittery, MEView Profile

Photos

U.S. Marine Corps • 1976

About Marine Barracks Kittery, ME

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Historic Beginnings: Marine Barracks Kittery, ME, was established in 1866, making it one of the oldest Marine Corps posts associated with a Navy Yard in the United States. • Strategic Location: The barracks supported the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which played a crucial role in naval shipbuilding and submarine construction, especially during both World Wars. • Civil War Roots: Although the barracks were formally established after the Civil War, Marines were present at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as early as the 1840s, providing security and discipline. • World War I & II Service: Marines stationed at Kittery guarded submarines and shipyard facilities, protected against espionage and sabotage, and assisted with prisoner of war (POW) operations. • Prisoner of War Guards: During World War II, the Marine Barracks guarded German and Italian POWs held at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. • Presence in Major Events: Marines from Kittery provided ceremonial details for significant national occasions, including presidential visits and ship launchings. • Disbandment: The Marine Barracks was officially decommissioned in 1977, as the need for a permanent Marine security force at the shipyard diminished. • Historic Buildings: The original barracks building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains a notable landmark at the shipyard. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, the barracks’ Marines played a part in heightened security and readiness at one of the nation’s foremost submarine bases. • Legacy: The legacy of the Marine Barracks is commemorated through various plaques, displays, and historical records maintained at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard museum and archives.