The U.S.N. Armed Guard of World War II came into existence on April 15, 1941, as U.S.N. Naval Reserves began special gunnery training. On September 25, 1941, orders were given to train 200 officers and 1000 men by January 16, 1942, and the base was officially established on October 15, 1941. The first class of 23 officers and 184 men began training 300 yards east of this point at Naval Section Base with a staff of four Gunners Mates. U.S.S. Paducah, U.S.S. Dubuque, and U.S.S. Eagle 19 were the gunships used for training. Armed Guard crews consisted of officers, gunners, signalman, radiomen, medics, WAVES, and ship's company, with a total of 144,970 personnel serving on 6236 ships. Of these ships, 710 were sunk and many were damaged, with 1810 killed in action and unknown injuries. Armed Guard prisoners of war totaled 27, with 14 survivors. Another 86,198 Armed Guards were transferred to the fleet as needed on LST, LCI, PT Boats, Subs, and larger ships. Their motto was "We aim - to deliver," and they did.
