Mar Det USS America

• Mar Det USS America: The Marine Detachment (Mar Det) aboard USS America (CV-66) was a small unit of United States Marines assigned to provide shipboard security, ceremonial functions, and specialized tasks. • Cold War Guardians: During the Cold War, Mar Det members were responsible for safeguarding the ship’s nuclear weapons and sensitive areas, making them critical to America’s strategic deterrence. • Vietnam War Service: USS America, with its Marine Detachment, saw action during the Vietnam War, providing air support and presence operations off the coast of Vietnam from 1968 onwards. • Presidential Ceremonies: The Mar Det was often assigned to ceremonial duties, including honor guards for visiting dignitaries and U.S. Presidents who embarked aboard USS America. • Ship's Security Force: Marines of Mar Det supplemented the ship’s Master-at-Arms in maintaining discipline and security, especially during times of heightened threat or combat readiness. • Evacuation Operations: Mar Det members were involved in key evacuation operations, such as Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon in 1975, providing security for refugees and shipboard operations. • Desert Storm: During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, USS America's Mar Det played a key role in force protection as the carrier launched combat sorties against Iraqi forces. • Red Beret Tradition: Marines assigned to carrier detachments like Mar Det USS America often wore distinctive red berets or other unique uniform items during ceremonial duties. • Deactivation: The tradition of Marine Detachments on Navy ships ended in 1998, but Mar Det USS America was deactivated even earlier, prior to the ship’s decommissioning in 1996. • Ship’s Final Duty: After decommissioning, USS America was used as a live-fire target and sunk in 2005; many former Mar Det members have participated in reunions and memorials honoring their unique service aboard the ship.