Marine Detachment - USS Eldorado (AGC-11)

• USS Eldorado (AGC-11) Role: The USS Eldorado was an amphibious force flagship (command ship) that served as a floating command post, with extensive communications and combat information spaces for the commanders of amphibious forces. • Marine Detachment Duties: The Marine Detachment aboard USS Eldorado provided shipboard security, ceremonial functions, and acted as a landing force in amphibious operations. • World War II Service: USS Eldorado, with its Marine Detachment, participated in key Pacific operations, including the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, providing command and control for amphibious assaults. • Witness to the Iwo Jima Flag Raising: Marines from the Eldorado’s detachment witnessed the historic flag raising on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in February 1945. • Famous Passengers: The Eldorado hosted high-ranking military figures, including Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Holland M. "Howlin' Mad" Smith, with the Marine Detachment providing security and protocol services. • Korean War Involvement: The ship and its Marine Detachment were recommissioned for the Korean War, supporting amphibious landings such as the Inchon operation in 1950. • Operation Crossroads: In 1946, the Eldorado served as the flagship for atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll, with the Marine Detachment assisting in security and logistical operations. • Cold War Operations: During the Cold War, the Marine Detachment participated in numerous training exercises and fleet operations, helping to maintain readiness against potential Soviet threats. • Shipboard Life: Marines aboard the Eldorado lived and trained alongside Navy personnel, maintaining weapons, standing watch, and training for ship defense and boarding operations. • Decommissioning and Legacy: The Marine Detachment remained active until the ship was decommissioned in 1972, leaving behind a legacy of participation in major 20th-century amphibious operations and command missions.