Mardet Uss Wasp CV-18

• WWII Service: Mardet (Marine Detachment) USS Wasp (CV-18) served aboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier during World War II, providing ship security, manning secondary armament, and assisting in air operations. • Namesake Legacy: USS Wasp (CV-18) was named after the previous USS Wasp (CV-7), which was sunk in 1942. CV-18 was originally to be named USS Oriskany, but the name was changed to honor the lost carrier. • Battle of the Philippine Sea: The Marine Detachment was aboard during the famous "Marianas Turkey Shoot," where American forces decimated Japanese naval aviation. • Marine Gunnery Role: Marines aboard Wasp operated 20mm and 40mm anti-aircraft guns, helping defend the carrier against kamikaze and conventional air attacks. • Kamikaze Encounters: On March 19, 1945, Wasp was struck by a Japanese bomb; the Marine Detachment played a key role in firefighting, rescue, and damage control efforts. • Presidential Visit: In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt visited USS Wasp at Pearl Harbor; the Marine Detachment provided the ceremonial honor guard for his arrival. • Occupation Duties: After Japan’s surrender, Mardet USS Wasp helped with occupation operations, including overseeing Japanese surrenders in China and Korea. • Ship Security: The Marines maintained order aboard ship, guarded prisoners, and protected the ship’s armory and classified material during all deployments. • Decommissioning and Honors: USS Wasp (CV-18) was decommissioned in 1972, but its Marine Detachment was recognized for distinguished service in the Pacific Theater. • Legacy and Reunion: Veterans of the Mardet USS Wasp hold reunions and are honored in ship and Marine Corps museums, keeping alive the traditions and stories of their unique service at sea.