The US Navy Armed Guard was a force of United States Navy gunners and related personnel established during World War II to protect U.S. merchant shipping from enemy attack. A shortage of escort vessel
Insignia of the United States Armed Guard
Navy Armed Guard Training Center
SS Stephen Hopkins was a United States Merchant Marine Liberty ship that served in World War II. She was the only US merchant vessel to sink a German surface combatant during the war.
United States Navy Armed Guard
…Defensively equipped merchant ship SS Stephen Hopkins Convoy PQ 17…
Picture of Stephen Hopkins at her launch.