Marine Detachment USS Forrestal

The Marine Detachment (MarDet) aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59) was established in 1955, coinciding with the ship’s commissioning as the U.S. Navy’s first supercarrier. The MarDet’s mission included providing shipboard security, ceremonial functions, and supporting nuclear weapons security during the Cold War. Marines from the detachment were integral to daily operations, manning key watch stations and participating in drills and inspections. The MarDet served with distinction during Forrestal’s deployments, including the Vietnam War, until the Navy phased out Marine Detachments from aircraft carriers in the late 1990s.