Ludlow in Hampden County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

U.S.N. Armed Guard of World War II

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025

1. U.S.N. Armed Guard of World War II Marker

Inscription. Dedicated
To
U.S.N. Armed Guard of World War II The Armed Guard of World War II came into existence on April 15, 1941 as USN Naval Reserves began special gunnery training on September 25, 1941. Orders were given to train 200 officers and 1000 men.

Armed guard crews consisted of officers, gunners, signalmen, radiomen, medics, waves and ship’s company, with a total of 144,970 personnel serving on 5236 ships, of these ships, 710 were sunk and many damaged, with 1810 killed in action and unknown injuries. Armed guard P.O.W. total was 27 with 14 survivors.

To the 1810 armed guards who gave their lives, to their families and friends, the Army and merchant crew that assisted us so well, this memorial is dedicated by their surviving shipmates.

Our motto “We Aim - To Deliver” and we did
(lower plaque)
Donated by Tom Dufresne

Erected by Tom Dufresne.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the US Navy Armed Guard series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1941.

Location. 42° 9.437′ N, 72° 28.973′ W. Memorial is in Ludlow, Massachusetts,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in Hampden County. It is on East Street east of Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling east. Located in Veteran’s Memorial Park. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Ludlow MA 01056, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Massachusetts’ Knowledge Corridor,

in Pioneer Valley,

and in Greater Springfield.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ludlow Call to Colors Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Original High School Bell (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Ludlow, MA (about 500 feet away); Ludlow Mills Clock Tower (about 600 feet away); Ludlow, Massachusetts (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Stusick Square (approx. ¼ mile away); What's in a Name? (approx. ¼ mile away); Immaculate Conception Parish Veterans Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away).

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025

2. U.S.N. Armed Guard of World War II Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ludlow.

Also see . . . United States Navy Armed Guard (Wikipedia). (Submitted on September 15, 2025.)

Lower plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Conrad Ward, March 9, 2025

3. Lower plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 15, 2025, by Conrad Ward of Guilford, Connecticut. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.