The U.S. Navy Armed Guard
The division of the U.S. Navy that dealt with the protection of merchant vessels from attacks by submarines and aircraft was known as the Armed Guard.
The armament of the merchant vessels started with one gun in World War I, but was increased to 2 large guns (3", 4", or 5") and 6 to 8 20 mm guns in World War II.
The Navy gun crew for a cargo ship consisted of a Commanding Officer, radiomen, signalmen and gunners. These selected men received intense thorough and demanding training.
The combination of armament and special well trained men stopped the attacks on merchant vessels. By the end of the World War II, the Armed Guard with a personnel of 144,970, was protecting over 6,236 ships. Losses due to enemy action were 1.810 men killed, 27 men were taken prisoner and 19,880 men survived 710 torpedoed ships. The Armed Guard was a major factor in the winning of World War II.
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