US Navy Armed Guard

The US Navy Armed Guard was a special branch of the United States Navy established during World War II to protect merchant ships from enemy attack. Created in 1941, the Armed Guard consisted of Navy personnel assigned to operate the defensive guns and communications equipment aboard American and Allied merchant vessels. Facing threats from German U-boats, aircraft, and surface raiders, the Armed Guard played a critical role in ensuring vital supplies reached their destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Despite harsh conditions and high casualty rates, members of the Navy Armed Guard contributed significantly to the Allied war effort by safeguarding the maritime supply lines.