Marine Detachment American Embassy, London, England

Marine Detachment American Embassy, London, England

On 15 July 1941, the Marine Corps established its first embassy detachment at London, England. It was commanded by Major Walter I. Jordan. Initial strength was approximately 60 officers and men, but this was doubled in size by December 1941 with the arrival of a second echelon from Marine Barracks, Washing ton, D.C.

The detachment was billeted in the American Embassy Annex at 20 Grosvenor Square. Initially, the duties of the detachment were primarily security and messenger service for the embassy. However, with the arrival of Admiral Harold R. Stark as Commander, Naval Forces, Europe (ComNavEu) on 17 March 1942, there was a realignment of duties to focus more upon the naval headquarters and less upon the embassy.

Major Jordan was succeeded by Captain Thomas J. Myers in October 1942. At that time the detachment was in activated and its personnel transferred to Rosneath, Scotland, to establish a Marine Barracks at the U.S. Navy Operating Base at that location. The detachment was re-established in London on 21 January 1943, and resumed its original designation and duties. Myers was replaced by First Lieutenant Alan Doubleday, who served until August 1944. He, in turn, was succeeded by Captain Harry W. Edwards, who remained in that post until April 1946, at which time the unit was given a new designation as the Marine Detachment, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe.

The detachment served as the principal administrative headquarters for Marines in Europe throughout World War II. Muster rolls for the unit reveal the names of the numerous Marine personnel who were sent to Europe and Africa for staff duty or as observers and trainees, both before the war and during the war. This included many Marines who served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).

Principal duties for the detachment included: ensuring security for the naval headquarters, supplying orderlies for flag officers, operating a motorcycle and motor vehicle messenger service between various military and diplomatic offices, supplying escorts for State Department couriers, and performing of ceremonial duties as required.