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]
![]() OSS insignia[1] | |
Agency overview | |
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Formed | June 10, 1942 |
Dissolved | September 20, 1945 |
Superseding agencies | |
Parent department | Office of Strategic Services |
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.
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Underwater_combat_swimmer_of_the_Office_of_Strategic_Services_Detachment_404_Maritime_Unit.jpg/220px-Underwater_combat_swimmer_of_the_Office_of_Strategic_Services_Detachment_404_Maritime_Unit.jpg)
MU planed 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]
Organizational structure
editField bases were located away from headquarters.
Headquarters was located in Washington, DC.
Inventions
editThe Lambertsen Amphibious Respiratory Unit (LARU) was developed by Christian J. Lambertsen, a captain in the US Army assigned to the MU.[8]
References
edit- ^ Emerson, William K. (1996). "51". Encyclopedia of United States Army Insignia and Uniforms. University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 9780806126227.
- ^ a b "Maritime Unit". www.soc.mil. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ Warner, Michael. The Office of Strategic Services: America's First Intelligence Agency. Office of Public Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency.
- ^ "History". www.nsw.navy.mil. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ a b c Office of Special Services. "Maritime Unit Overview" (PDF). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "Last living WWII OSS Maritime frogman relives history". Marine Forces Special Operations Command. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Christian Lambertsen and the Secret Story Behind Scuba - CIA". www.cia.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-25.