I was wondering if anyone has ever seen an authentic Navy Armed Guard Patch. I found on ebay a patch that looks as if it's modeled after one that Armed Guardsmen may have worn. Thing is, it has "Veteran" embroidered on it, which suggests it was made post-war. Vintage World War II US Navy Armed Guard Veterans Patch badge pin ww2 usn | eBay They also have brand new ones: US NAVY ARMED GUARD PIN | eBay Obviously replicated, but do any authentic Navy Armed Guard Patches exist? Thanks!
Hi Lou, I guess I'm looking for an authentic patch from WW2 Armed Guard. My grandfather was an Armed Guard, so I'd like to get an original period piece. Do you own the one shown? I really like the color. Is it not a repro? Thanks! Steve
No sweat. I have a hunch period pieces are out there. I've begun to develop a real interest in the AG, so I thought I'd start a little collection. Thanks, Lou.
The Navy wasn't very big on shoulder sleeve insignia, but they did have a few. My trusty guide "Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. Armed Forces 1941-1945" by Richard W. Smith says this work display,and accounts for, all authorized shoulder sleeve insignia during this period. Unfortunately, Armed Guards apparently had no patch. The few listed are Minecraft, Construction Battalion (SeaBees), Amphibious forces, Mosquito Boat, Motor Torpedo Boat, V-5 Program, Navy War Corespondent, Merchant Marine, Maritime Service, and USMS Training Station. And Lou, I'm sorry, but it didn't list the 473rd rocker either. I believe it was like the Armored Division rockers, ie "Spearhead, Hell on Wheels, etc. they were worn during WWII, but not authorized. I have another book that lists just about every patch up to, and including the Vietnam war and couldn't find either patch or rocker in there either- although they do list the Armored Division rockers in that book.
Thanks for looking, Buten. That's too bad. I wonder where the AG emblem would have been used, if not on a patch. It's such a neat looking motto!
I think the 473rd rocker was theater made and unauthorized. I've seen a couple and the price is outrageous. The Army kind of turned a blind eye toward their wear. The 473rd only existed for a few months, mostly made up of former AAA men.
It is a neat design. Someone may have designed it and tried to get it authorized, or it could just be a fantasy piece to sell to the AG veterans. Some of the patches for the airborne regiments during the Vietnam era (507th, 511th, 513th, 515th, etc) look like they were designed by someone at Disneyland. (they lost that noble feeling) but still pretty neat looking. If you do a display with his awards, I would add it for character. I'm not familiar with the Armed Guard-was their function actually to guard prisoners--kinda like the Army's MPs?
Thanks, Buten. I do have a display and that is why I'd like to have one. The Navy Armed Guard was a specially trained section of the Navy who were responsible for protecting merchant ships (Liberty Ships). An Armed Guard crew (usually 28 men, trained as gunner's, gunner's mates, signalmen, and radiomen) was deployed with them in order to ensure their safety. They were a pretty tough bunch. A lot of sailors prayed they weren't picked for AG, considering it a perilous suicide mission. They were trained at Armed Guard Centers in Brooklyn, New Orleans, and San Fran. There are a bunch of websites and books on them. They were dissolved after the war. World War II US Navy Armed Guard and World War II US Merchant Marine ADD: Some more facts: Most of the Armed Guard sailors were volunteers since the U.S. Navy considered it a “hazardous duty” assignment. In fact, this is borne out by their casualty figures (almost 1,700 killed in action, 127 missing in action from sunken ships, and 27 captured – of which 14 survived the war) and the recognition of Armed Guard personnel heroism that garnered five Navy Crosses, 75 Silver Stars and 54 Bronze Stars. UNIT: U.S. Navy Armed Guard DATES: 1942-45 STRENGTH: 144,970 total served CASUALTIES: 1,683 KIA; 127 MIA; 27 POW SERVICE: Gun crews on 6,236 merchant ships in all naval theaters of war TYPICAL CREW: 1 officer, 24 gunners and 3 communications specialists per ship TYPICAL WEAPONS: one 5-inch/38 naval deck gun, one 3-inch/50 anti-aircraft gun and eight 20mm machine guns per ship
This one I had colorized on rootschat forum The guy that did it added the ship and I kind of liked the effect, so I had a print done. The ship is actually the John Harvey (of gas infamy at Bari).
Thanks for the information, I had no idea the merchant ships carried a crew of Navy personnel. Yes, I can see why this would be considered hazardous duty.
One of the more remarkable actions of the armed guard and indeed the merchant marine was the encounter the Stephen Hopkins had with a German raider and support ship. Worth reading up on.