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Paramarines | |
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Active | October 26, 1940 – February 29, 1944 |
Disbanded | 1944 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Marine Corps |
Type | Airborne forces |
Role | Airfield seizure Amphibious warfare Close-quarters combat Direct action Forward observer Indirect fire Jungle warfare Long-range penetration Mountain warfare Parachuting Patrolling Raiding Reconnaissance Special reconnaissance Tracking |
Size | Regiment |
Engagements | World War II |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Victor H. Krulak Robert H. Williams |
The Paramarines (also known as Marine paratroopers) was a short-lived specialized combat unit of the United States Marine Corps, trained to be paratroopers dropped from planes by parachute. Marine parachute training which began in New Jersey in October 1940 ended with the parachute units being disbanded at Camp Pendleton, California in February 1944. Paratroopers received a significantly increased salary after completing training, so there was no shortage of volunteers, although all were required to be unmarried. Standards of fitness were high, and 40% failed the training course.