OSS Maritime Unit
![]() OSS insignia[1] | |
Agency overview | |
---|---|
Formed | June 10, 1942 |
Dissolved | September 20, 1945 |
Superseding agencies | |
Parent department | Office of Strategic Services |
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]
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.
![](http://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 planned 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
[edit]Field bases were located away from headquarters.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/MU_FIELD_BASE_ORGANIZATION.png/492px-MU_FIELD_BASE_ORGANIZATION.png)
Headquarters was located in Washington, DC.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/35/MU_PLANNING_AND_ADMINISTRATION_IN_WASHINGTON.png/445px-MU_PLANNING_AND_ADMINISTRATION_IN_WASHINGTON.png)
Inventions
[edit]The 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.
- World War II
- Office of Strategic Services
- 1942 establishments in the United States
- 1945 disestablishments in the United States
- Agencies of the United States government during World War II
- Defunct United States intelligence agencies
- Government agencies disestablished in 1945
- Government agencies established in 1942
- Intelligence services of World War II
- World War II espionage