Resources on the U.S. Navy Armed Guard & Merchant Marine

While containing much useful information, this website cannot be comprehensive with respect to either the U.S. Navy Armed Guard or the U.S. Merchant Marine. Many additional resources are available for those who wish to dig deeper. Below are links to key archives, publications, books, and other references. Internet searches and library collections may also reveal more. Please contact the webmaster if you know of additional resources that should be listed.

U.S. Navy Armed Guard Archives

U.S. Navy Armed Guard archives preserve reports, newsletters, and first-hand writings from WWII. Sailors kept ship logs that recorded battles and daily duties. Veterans associations also share publications that give insight into life at sea. These archives help readers understand how the Armed Guard served in convoys and faced enemy attacks.

World War II Naval Reference Documents

World War II naval reference documents include manuals, convoy orders, and training materials. Many of these papers are stored in government collections and university libraries. Some have been digitized, making them easier for research. These references explain how sailors prepared for missions and followed naval procedures during the war.

Armed Guard Research Resources

Armed Guard research resources include books, journals, and film records. Writers and historians have studied both the Navy Armed Guard and the Merchant Marine. Newspapers of the time also reported on sinkings, rescues, and supply convoys. These sources provide valuable detail for anyone studying wartime service at sea.