USS Essex CVA-9 Marine Detachment Roster – 1953–1954
Content: Marine Officers + Marine Detachment.
Rosters for the Third Far East Cruise of the USS Essex Aircraft Carrier, 1953-1954, Section 3. | GGA Image ID # 2334ff318f
Marine Detachment Officers
- CAPT Edward R. Watson
- 1/LT Donald E. McQuinn
Marine Detachment
- PFC Kenneth J. Aagaard
- PVT Ralph J. Allent
- PFC Thomas E. Belk
- PFC Robert L. Benson
- PFC Quentin A. Berquist
- PFC Joseph A. Bielawski Jr.
- PVT Robert D. Bouters
- PFC Norman Brown
- PFC Cecil V. Carruth
- CPL Temple O. Carter
- PFC Carl E. Clouse
- CPL Alvah Coffey
- PFC Robert L. Cook
- PFC John E. Copeland
- PFC Ronald Cowman
- PFC Pat H. Crowhurst
- SGT Norman E. Day
- PFC William F. Dean
- PFC Elmer A. Diehr Jr.
- PFC Sylvester Douglas
- PFC Charles T. Elizondo
- PFC Donald R. Ellis
- PVT James W. Fehr
- SGT Marvin B. Ford
- PFC Felix M. Gallagher
- PFC Harold D. Gardner
- PFC Jackie Gillespie
- PVT John J. Grable
- PFC James M. Gresh
- CPL Russell E. Hanes
- PFC Paul D. Heppert
- PVT Peter B. Hitchins
- PFC Donald E. Hoodenpyle
- PFC Richard A. Howell
- CPL James M. Jensen
- PFC Jack T. Johnson
- PFC George P. Kontmenas
- CPL Edward J. Kozma
- PFC Richard T. Kunath
- CPL Allen L. Leffler
- PFC James J. Luckenotte
- PFC Harold L. Moore
- CPL Lee J. Okones
- PFC James B. Patterson
- PFC Robert L. Rieve
- PFC Ross H. Rodenbeck
- M/SGT Lloyd L. Sanderson ⚠️
- PFC Charles K. Sarcom
- PFC Anthony C. Spanier
- PFC John T. Specht
- PFC Henry Stickdorn Jr.
- PFC Donald L. Stratton
- PFC Floyd L. Stutts
- PFC Jimmie L. Sundy
- PFC Louis W. Swan Jr.
- PFC Lee L. Taylor
- S/SGT Leo C. Tubbs ⚠️
- PFC Gilbert J. Vargas
- PFC John E. Wheeler
- PFC Jesse N. Wilson
📜 Historical Note: Marines at Sea
The presence of Marines aboard U.S. Navy ships is a tradition that stretches back to 1775, when the Continental Marines were established. Their duties aboard carriers like the USS Essex (CVA-9) included:
- Security: guarding the captain, sensitive spaces, and brig.
- Weapons Support: manning secondary batteries or shipboard guns before guided missile systems dominated.
- Ceremonial Roles: raising colors, boarding parties, and dignitary honors.
- Landing Forces: providing detachments for shore operations or emergencies.
By the Korean War and Cold War eras, Marine detachments aboard carriers represented the historic bond between Navy sea power and Marine Corps amphibious capability—a visible reminder that wherever the fleet sailed, Marines were present.
Roster of Officers and Crew, Part 13 (F Division (Houk-Wright), Marine Detachment Officers, Marine Detachment, Special Weapons Unit Officers, Special Weapons Unit, Supply Detachment Officers, and S-1 Division (Adams-Hennessey)). CVA-9 USS Essex, Third Far East Cruise, 1953-54. | GGA Image ID # 233838290c. Click to View a Larger Image.
For full verification, always consult the original roster scan provided on this page. Those images remain the authoritative source.
