United States Navy Armed Guard units were established during World War II and headquartered in New Orleans.[1] The purpose of the guard was to man the deck guns of merchant ships to provide a nominal defense against attack. This was to counter the constant danger presented by enemy submarines, surface raiders, fighter aircraft and bombers.[1] There was a shortage of escort vessels to provide the merchant vessels with adequate protection. The NAG had three training centers, at Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; and Gulfport, Mississippi.[1] At the end of the war, there were 144,857 men serving in the Navy Armed Guard on 6,200 ships.[2]
