USN

The Marine Detachment aboard USS Eldorado (AGC-11) played a crucial role in amphibious operations during World War II and the Korean War. Commissioned in 1944, USS Eldorado served as a flagship and amphibious force command ship, with its Marine Detachment responsible for ship security, ceremonial duties, and supporting command staff during major operations. The detachment participated in pivotal campaigns such as the Battle of Iwo Jima and landings at Okinawa, providing critical support for planning and execution of amphibious assaults. Throughout its service, the Marine Detachment upheld the traditions and discipline of the Corps while contributing to the ship’s mission success in both combat and peacetime operations.

**Marine Detachment, USS Bennington (CVS-20), 7th Fleet Marine Force (FMF):** The Marine Detachment aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20) was an integral component of the ship’s complement during her service with the U.S. Navy, particularly as part of the 7th Fleet Marine Force (FMF) in the Pacific theater. Tasked with shipboard security, ceremonial duties, and rapid response in emergencies, the detachment played a vital role during the Cold War era, supporting anti-submarine warfare operations and power projection missions. Marines from the detachment were trained to provide close-in defense of the carrier, as well as to participate in landing parties and amphibious operations if required. Throughout its service, the Marine Detachment exemplified the close cooperation between the Navy and Marine Corps, reinforcing the Bennington’s operational capabilities during deployments in the Western Pacific and beyond.

The Marine Detachment (MARDET) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) was established shortly after the carrier’s commissioning in 1982. MARDET provided onboard security, ceremonial duties, and supported shipboard operations, including nuclear weapon security during the Cold War. Marines also participated in training for ship defense, boarding operations, and reinforced the close relationship between the Navy and Marine Corps. The tradition of Marine Detachments on Navy ships was phased out in the late 1990s, but the legacy of MARDET USS Carl Vinson remains an important chapter in both naval and Marine Corps history.

Marine Detachment USS Columbus (CG-12) was a specialized unit of United States Marines assigned to the guided missile cruiser USS Columbus, which served from the early 1960s through the mid-1970s. The detachment’s primary duties included providing security for the ship, manning the ship’s secondary batteries, and performing ceremonial functions. Marines aboard the Columbus often participated in Cold War-era deployments, including Mediterranean cruises and NATO operations, projecting American naval power and presence. The Marine Detachment was eventually disbanded when the Navy phased out such units from most surface combatants in the late 1970s.

The Marine Detachment aboard USS Holland (AS-32) was established to provide security and ceremonial duties for the submarine tender during its service with the United States Navy from 1963 to 1996. Comprised of a small contingent of U.S. Marines, the detachment was responsible for safeguarding sensitive areas and personnel, particularly during the ship's support of ballistic missile submarines in the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets. Marines from the detachment participated in shipboard drills, inspections, and port security operations, ensuring the vessel's readiness and protection at home and abroad. The detachment was deactivated when Marine Detachments were phased out of non-capital ships in the late 20th century, following changes in naval security practices.

The Marine Detachment (MarDet) aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) played a vital role in the ship’s operations from her commissioning in 1947 through her decommissioning in 1990. Tasked with providing shipboard security, manning gun mounts, and conducting ceremonial duties, the MarDet was an integral part of daily life on the carrier. During major conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Marines supported flight operations and contributed to the ship’s readiness for combat and crisis response. Over the decades, the MarDet aboard Coral Sea upheld the proud traditions of the Marine Corps while serving at sea alongside the Navy.

**Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Unit 1920 (MIUWU 1920)** was a United States Navy Reserve unit established during the Cold War to provide harbor and coastal defense. Based out of the Naval Reserve Center in Buffalo, New York, MIUWU 1920 was tasked with deploying quickly to protect U.S. ports and shorelines from enemy submarine and special operations threats using mobile radar, sonar, and communications systems. The unit participated in numerous training exercises and joint operations, supporting both national and NATO maritime security objectives. MIUWU 1920 was decommissioned as part of a broader reorganization of Navy coastal warfare forces in the early 2000s.

Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Goliad is a United States Navy airfield located near Goliad, Texas. Originally constructed in 1942 as Berclair Auxiliary Army Airfield #9 to support World War II training operations, the site was later transferred to Navy control and became NALF Goliad. It has served primarily as an outlying field for flight training, supporting student aviators from Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi. Over the decades, NALF Goliad has played a crucial role in the primary and advanced flight training of Navy, Marine Corps, and allied pilots.

Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF) Pensacola, FL, was established during World War II as a critical maintenance and repair hub for U.S. Navy aircraft. Located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the facility specialized in the overhaul, repair, and modification of a wide variety of naval aircraft and their components. Throughout the Cold War and into the late 20th century, NARF Pensacola played a vital role in supporting fleet readiness and technological advancements in naval aviation. In the 1990s, the facility was redesignated as the Naval Aviation Depot (NADEP) Pensacola before its eventual closure as part of a broader realignment of Navy maintenance operations.