OSS Maritime Unit

Maritime Unit
OSS insignia[1]
Agency overview
FormedJune 10, 1942
DissolvedSeptember 20, 1945
Superseding agencies
Parent departmentOffice of Strategic Services

The Maritime Unit (MU) was a branch of the Office of Strategic Services that enabled maritime warfare for the allies during World War II.[2] MU's mission was to "infiltrate agents and supply resistance groups by sea, conduct maritime sabotage, and to develop specialized maritime surface and subsurface equipment and devices."[2] MU developed specialized boats, equipment, and explosives, fashioned underwater breathing gear, waterproof watches and compasses, an inflatable motorized surfboard, and "a two-man kayak that proved so promising that 275 were ordered by the British."[3]

MU was originally established as a division of the Special Operations Branch of the OSS but was granted Branch status on June 10, 1942.[4]

The Frogmen of the MU are considered pioneers of amphibious, maritime, and underwater warfare. While it was a civilian agency, the United States Navy SEALS state clearly that the OSS Maritime Unit is one of their direct preceding organizations.

Underwater combat swimmer of the Office of Strategic Services Detachment 404 Maritime Unit

MU planned and carried out the amphibious phases of OSS activities and assisted in the development of the special equipment required.[5] If operations included water, the shoreline, coastal areas, or water approaches, then MU techniques were used.[5]

Those techniques were clandestine ferrying, maritime sabotage, and beach and hydrographic reconnaissance.[5]

The last living Frogman of the OSS was Henry “Hank” Weldon.[6][7]

  1. ^ Emerson, William K. (1996). "51". Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806126227.
  2. ^ a b "Maritime Unit". www.soc.mil. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  3. ^ Warner, Michael. The Office of Strategic Services: America's First Intelligence Agency. Office of Public Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency.
  4. ^ "History". www.nsw.navy.mil. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  5. ^ a b c Office of Special Services. "Maritime Unit Overview" (PDF).Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  6. ^ "Last living WWII OSS Maritime frogman relives history". Marine Forces Special Operations Command. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  7. ^ "WWII war hero, longtime VC resident Hank Weldon, dead at 95 - Valley Roadrunner". Valley Roadrunner - Hometown Newspaper of Valley Center, Pauma Valley, Pala, Palomar Mountain & North Escondido since 1974. 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2024-06-25.