History

Marine Corps History

Marine Corps Museum

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Howard County Marine History

NSA’s “Own” Marine Guards
15 November 1953 – 29 September 1978

They were, to say the least, resplendent. From the sparkling white cap cover and pistol belt, khaki shirt, and blue trousers to the spit-shined shoes, they were lithe young men, who spoke little but did so much to keep us safe. Who were they? The National Security Agency’s (NSA’s) “Own” Marine guards!

The Marine Barracks, Ft. George G. Meade, was established by a Secretary of Defense memorandum dated 9 June 1953. The Marines’ mission was to provide local security for the National Security Agency. The authorized strength of the Marine Security Guard was 5 officers and 144 enlisted men.

Lieutenant General Ralph J. Canine, the first director of NSA (DIRNSA), argued that Marines were the perfect answer to NSA’s security needs. The Marines had training and experience guarding United States embassies around the world. Companies “A” and “B” comprised over 200 Marines. They manned over 75 interior and exterior posts at the Ft. Meade and Friendship Annex (FANX) complexes, as well as mobile patrols, between 8 and 11 hours out of every 24. Beginning 5 hours before taking post in the building, they were part of the alert force, located in the barracks, ready to respond instantly to local emergency. Lower ranking Marines stood a fixed post, while noncommissioned officers (NCOs), corporals, and sergeants manned communications and alarm monitors in the Panel Room or supervised the guards on post or on roving patrol. NCOs with special access were assigned as security inspectors. A commissioned officer served as duty officer, in command of the guard force. During VIP visits or special events, Marines standing guard at key entry points wore the full dress blue uniform. When not standing guard, the Marines were training, in order to maintain their skills as light weapons infantrymen.

Still, they found time to participate in community affairs. One of these was the Ft. McHenry Guard, a 50-man drill team and drum and bugle corps, composed entirely of volunteers from the guard force. During warm weather, the Ft. McHenry Guard performed a traditional Tattoo ceremony at Baltimore’s Ft. McHenry.* The impressive ceremony featured drill and music of the early 1800s. At each performance, a prominent personality, usually local, was chosen as an “Honorary Ft. McHenry Colonel” and served as the reviewing officer or honored guest. This activity earned the Marines two Freedom Foundation Awards and authorization to carry the colors of the City of Baltimore when parading in that city. They were also recognized as “Baltimore’s Own Marine Barracks.”** The Marine guard also found time to support “Toys for Tots” and other charitable activities.

There were more awards to come – the Marine Barracks, Ft. Meade, won a Meritorious Unit Citation in 1970, an award rarely given to a “peacetime” Marine unit, according to Colonel C. W. Blythe, Commander of the Marine Barracks. When formally presenting the award on 2 June of that year, General Leonard F. Chapman, Commandant of the Marine Corps, extolled the Marines’ “exceptional professional competence in fulfillment of their security role” and “the example they have set in developing the military-civilian team spirit throughout the National Security Agency.” The Marine Barracks, Ft. Meade, was designated a Bicentennial Command by HQ, United States Marine Corps, for their participation in the Ft. McHenry Guard. The only other Marine Corps element to gain this distinction was “Eighth and Eye” (HQ, USMC) itself.

In 1972 the Deputy Secretary of Defense, citing diminishing enlistments and budget, decided to withdraw the Marine support for NSA. Despite a vigorous reclama by DIRNSA, it turned out to be a no-win situation, and the Marines left as ordered. The Marine Barracks officially closed on 30 June 1978. But they left behind a “legacy” – sub-unit I, Alfa Company, Marine Support Battalion. They continued to stand post until 22 September and provided the Alert Force until 29 September 1978.*** NSA’s “Own” Marines were unique, highly professional, and a credit to the United States Marine Corps.

Footnotes

* Tattoo is a tradition passed to us from the British Army. The ceremony is that of a formal guard mount which occurs just before posting the guard at the end of the day. It signals those who have no business in a fort or barracks to withdraw before the gates are secured and sentinels posted, and for troops not on duty to retire to their quarters. The word “tattoo” itself is believed to derive from the phrase “tap toe” (to “toe” or close the tap on a keg of spirits). In its display of prowess in drill, and its accompanying music, Tattoo is a signal no one can mistake.

** Richardson, Herb; “Leatherneck” magazine; February 1977

*** Hackman, Neil; “SOUNDOFF”; 28 November 1978

Former Marines as NSA Federal Protective Service Officers

In September 1977, letters were sent by the Director of the General Services Administration (GSA), to 23 individuals who would soon be hired and trained to relieve the Marines of the NSA Detachment at Ft. Meade, MD. Following extensive background investigations of more than 1,000 individuals who had applied for various positions with GSA, the Commanding Officer, Federal Protective Service (FPS), under the auspices of the GSA, selected these 23 men and women as the vanguard of civilian personnel to take-over the physical security of the Agency at both Ft. Meade and its Annex near the international airport, then known as “BWI.”

By October 9, of that year, these 23 – 21 men and 2 women – had received their employment acceptance letters and written orders, with directions to report, by October 25th, to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Brunswick County, Georgia. With their letters in hand, designating them “General Schedule – 3” Federal employees, these “Federal Protective Officers” arrived in the temperate climes of coastal Georgia for 2-months of intense classroom and physical training. Assigned to be housed in a single ‘barracks’ building and common classrooms, they soon became well-acquainted.

As they matured into full-fledged Federal Protective Officers, they learned that fully 11 of their number had previously served in the US Marine Corps. This would prove an essential element in the success of the FPS at NSA. The group not only matured and became competent ‘officers,’ they fully expected to take a leadership role in the protection of the National Security Agency. They were taught, and learned well, the functions of apprehension and arrest, first-aid, inspection and investigation, vehicle pursuit, and the compulsory weapons indoctrination for side arms, shotgun, and automatic weapons. They were taught the basics of hostage negotiation and the elements of ameliorating conflicts. They participated in field exercises that tested their resolve and their ability to perform under extreme physical and emotional conditions. And, they all graduated in December, to return to their homes and begin working at the NSA.

Upon return to Maryland, and introduction to the embedded Marine Corps Security Force, an initial trepidation soon turned to full cooperation as the former Marine FPS Officers showed their abilities and willingness to learn from and work with the active duty Marines. Within a short time, these former Marines had been fully accepted by the current Marines and were shown and told about all the nuances of Panel monitoring, patrolling the grounds, standing ‘posts,’ and dealing with the ‘civilian’ employees of NSA.

Out of the first 23 FPS Officers, the 11 former Marines soon were selected to fill management positions within their own force. They were appointed to teach and train newer officers as they came on-board. Of the remaining 12, from the original class, only 9 were permitted to continue working at the Ft. Meade facility by April 1978. By May 1978, a sufficient number of additional officers, some former Marines among them, had been hired and trained to assimilate all the positions from the USMC Security Detachment.

The active duty Marine force was no longer visible on the Ft. Meade campus of NSA by July 1978. However, new FPS officers were restricted to mostly ‘external’ posts around the facility, until background investigation, which by this time were taking the better part of 9 months to complete, could allow them full access. During this time they were further indoctrinated into the force and in the NSA culture. Guard house duty became a favorite activity to avoid having to sit around in the squad room watching old Army technical training movies. One such movie, “How to Build an Igloo,” became the source of much amusement throughout the group.

By January 1979, some of the original members of the FPS group began finding promotion opportunities with such other Federal organizations as Border Patrol, Capitol Police, Uniformed Secret Service, US Park Police. Others went on to civilian law enforcement careers, even with the Prince Georges and Howard County Police Departments. One young member of the FPS, Billy Martin, moved on to the Baltimore City Police Department. He was not a Marine, but had been accepted as a competent officer who could be depended upon to do his job and give 10% more. Billy Martin, while on foot pursuit of a known felon in Baltimore, was ambushed and shot and killed in 1981.

The transition from USMC Security Detachment to civilian police force at the National Security Agency had been an overwhelming success. By mid-1979, the new force of Federal Protective Officers had become accepted into the NSA family and could be counted on to take-up where the Marine Corps had left off. I know, because I was one of the original 23 – one of those 11 Marines….Mike Corbett.

Who is SSgt Karl G. Taylor, Sr.

Karl Gorman Taylor, Sr., was born July 14, 1939, in Laurel, Howard County, Maryland. He graduated from Arundel Junior High School in 1953, then attended Arundel Senior High School for three years (1953-1956). After leaving high school, he was employed by a construction company as a Tournapull-Scraper Operator. In 1961, he received a high school equivalency test from the Armed Forces Institute in Madison, Wisconsin.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps along with his brother, Walter William Taylor, at the Recruiting Station, Baltimore, Maryland, on January 15, 1959. Upon completion of recruit training with the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training regiment, Parris Island, South Carolina, he went on to Infantry Combat Training with the 1st Infantry Training Regiment, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After completing Infantry Training in July 1959, he was assigned duty as a rifleman, section leader, and a platoon guide, successively, with Company A, 1st Battalion (Rein), 6th Marines, 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Camp Lejeune.

From January until February 1962 he attended the Drill Instructor School at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, then served as Drill Instructor of the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Recruit Training Regiment, Recruit Depot, Parris Island, until January 1963. Shown below is Junior Drill Instructor Corporal Taylor with Platoon 223 on June 29, 1962.

The above photos were provided by Ralph Horan on November 18, 2016. Mr. Horan was a recruit with Platoon 223. Fifty-three years later, he still remembers Junior Drill Instructor Corporal Taylor well:
Corporal Taylor, our junior drill instructor – really had our best interest at heart and it showed. He was tough when he had to be but fair all the time with a lighter side visible during our final three weeks. SSgt. Taylor is a memory I’ll always keep in a special place…I believe I became a better Marine because of him. All through boot camp, I and the rest of Platoon 223 respected his quiet confident direction – he was one of the good ones.
Not discounting his well deserved honor and his receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor – but – if he were still alive and with us today, I would thank him for his counsel as well as his fair, disciplined, and being the great example to those of us he taught and led. Grateful for all he did, his ultimate and heroic sacrifice, he was, through his last breath, a leader of Marines…looking back and for whatever it’s worth, I can say he made me and many others…a little better.

After this enlistment tour was over, Staff Sergeant Taylor returned to inactive duty for three months and was with the 4th Marine Corps Reserve and Recruitment District, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On March 26, 1963, he returned to active duty at Quantico, Virginia, and served as Assistant Police Sergeant and later, Police Sergeant, Guard Company, Service Battalion, Marine Corps Schools.

Transferred to the 3rd Marine Division (Rein), in August 1964, Staff Sergeant Taylor saw a one year tour of duty as Rocket Section Leader and Platoon Guide, with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. Reassigned to Sub Unit #2, Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, in August 1965, he served as Instructor, Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership School until the following November.

Upon his return to the United States in January 1966, Staff Sergeant Taylor returned to the Marine Corps Schools, Quantico, for duty as Candidate Company Platoon Sergeant and Platoon Sergeant of Company A, Officer Candidate School. Staff Sergeant Taylor appears in the front row on the far right. In the front row, second from left is Joe Boyle, who provided us this photo on September 25, 2018. The names of the various member of the platoon are listed here.

In February 1968, he returned to the Far East and the 3rd Marine Division (Rein), Fleet Marine Force, this time for duty as Platoon Sergeant and Company Gunnery Sergeant of Company I, 3rd Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment.

Staff Sergeant Taylor was cited for his courage and inspiring leadership on December 8, 1968 during Operation Meade River when he charged across an open rice paddy toward an enemy machine gun position. Firing a grenade launcher as he ran and in full view of the enemy, Staff Sergeant Taylor succeeded in reaching the machine gun bunker and silenced the enemy fire moments before he fell mortally wounded. For more information about Operation Meade River, read
     Leatherneck, August 2017 – “For Their Gallantry and Intrepidity” The Marines of 3/26 in Operation Meade River
     Vietnam Veterans of America – Operation Meade River: The Largest Helicopter-Borne Combat Operation in Marine Corps History

President Richard M. Nixon awarded posthumously the Medal of Honor to the family of Staff Sergeant Karl G. Taylor during a joint-service ceremony at the White House on February 16, 1971.

His Medal of Honor citation reads:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving at night as a company gunnery sergeant during Operation MEADE RIVER. Informed that the commander of the lead platoon had been mortally wounded when his unit was pinned down by a heavy volume of enemy fire, SSgt Taylor along with another marine, crawled forward to the beleaguered unit through a hail of hostile fire, shouted encouragement and instructions to the men, and deployed them to covered positions. With his companion, he then repeatedly maneuvered across an open area to rescue those marines who were too seriously wounded to move by themselves. Upon learning that there were still other seriously wounded men lying in another open area, in proximity to an enemy machinegun position, SSgt Taylor, accompanied by four comrades, led his men forward across the fire-swept terrain in an attempt to rescue the marines. When his group was halted by devastating fire, he directed his companions to return to the company command post; whereupon he took his grenade launcher and in full view of the enemy, charged across the open rice paddy toward the machinegun position, firing his weapon as he ran. Although wounded several times, he succeeded in reaching the machinegun bunker and silencing the fire from that sector, moments before he was mortally wounded. Directly instrumental in saving the lives of several of his fellow marines, SSgt Taylor, by his indomitable courage, inspiring leadership, and selfless dedication, upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the U.S. Naval Service.

From “United States of America’s Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients and their Official Citations” published by Highland Publishers, 1980, and Highland House II, 1994.

Staff Sergeant Taylor was the husband of the former Shirley Ann Piatt and the father of 3 children Karl G. Jr., Kevin G., and Sheryl A. He was the son of Arthur G. and Anna H. Taylor.

Staff Sergeant Taylor trained, evaluated, and screened many future officers before he departed to Vietnam on his second tour. His memory will always live on, as his name is honored even to this day. On July 21, 2006, a new Officer Candidate School (OCS) Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) was named “Taylor Hall” in honor of Staff Sergeant Taylor. This was the last duty station at which he and his bride Shirley were together.

Staff Sergeant Taylor is forever immortalized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (the Wall) in Washington D.C. The below photo was provided by Ralph Horan on May 9, 2017.

SSgt Taylor’s heroism inspired many. The beautiful artistic homage to our detachment’s namesake shown below was created by Steve Ryan. Steve and his father have been Marine Corps League life members since 1992. Steve served as a combat photographer from 1988 to 1992. As a Medal of Honor history enthusiast, Steve has created approximately 200 of these tributes. Well done Steve and Semper Fi!

For more information about SSgt Karl G. Taylor, Sr., see

     Officer Candidates School dedicates barracks to fallen Vietnam Veteran
     YouTube – A tribute to SSgt Karl G. Taylor, Sr. Vietnam Veteran
     The Purple Foxes – SSgt. Karl G. Taylor