Combat· World War I
Naval Service and Sideshow Operations
This entry covers smaller, scattered Marine actions tied to the naval side of the war, away from the main fighting in France.
Marines have a long history of serving aboard Navy ships and at far-flung stations, and the war was no exception. These duties included guarding ships, manning shipboard detachments, and supporting naval operations in various locations rather than fighting as part of the big land battles. Losses in this category were few and often came from accidents or events at sea rather than major combat. One example was the loss of a Navy ship that went down with Marines aboard. Compared to the brigade's battles on the Western Front, these were minor, secondary efforts, but they reflect the Corps' standing role with the fleet and the wide range of places Marines served during the conflict beyond the trenches of France.
Podcast episodes on World War I
Record no. 539