The guidon’s design is specific to Mortuary Affairs Marines. As a result, Detachment 4 moved the guidon from in front of the facility in which it worked, to inside the “office” space. The non-standard, non-regulation colors used caused the Detachments some flack when the guidon was displayed outside their command posts. Detachment 1 often displayed the “Nec Metus De Morte - No One is Left Behind We Do Not Fear Death” side, while Detachment 4 displayed the “Mortuary Affairs Semper Fidelis” side. This unofficial guidon was made for Detachments 1 and 4, with both sides displayed at one time or another. Detachments 1 and 4 were responsible for recovery of enemy, quasi-insurgents, and civilian remains. In 2004, there were five Marine Corps Mortuary Affairs Detachments serving in Iraq:ĭetachments 2, 3, and 5 were responsible for the recovery of United States Marine remains from the Battle of Fallujah.

The Mortuary Affairs teams worked closely with combat forces to ensure enemy bodies were handled appropriately in accordance with Islamic customs, carefully recovering the bodies, transporting them, and ensuring the remains were buried in compliance with religious traditions. PRP Marines have some of the most emotionally charged and stressful jobs. military personnel are required to recover remains of enemy and civilians killed in action during battle. In accordance with the Geneva Convention, the U.S. military, enemy, quasi-insurgents, and civilians. Unofficial Guidon of the Mortuary Affairs Unit – Personnel Retrieval Platoon (PRP)ĭuring the Second Battle of Fallujah, Operation Al-Fajr and Operation Phantom Fury, the Personnel Retrieval Platoon (PRP) and Mortuary Affairs Platoons were responsible for the recovery of dead remains that included U.S. The design was later adopted into insignia for MARSOC, activated 20 June 2003, and is still used today! The skull and crossbones on the face of this ring reference the design of the Marine Raider Regiment patch insignia. When the Raider Regiment disbanded in early 1944, Dougherty transferred to the newly formed 2d Battalion, 27th Regiment, which was part of the 5th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. This ring belonged to PFC Ted Dougherty, a former member of the 1st Raider Battalion. World War II Raider Battalion Member Ring In the Halloween spirit of their darker heraldry, the following are artifacts from the Museum’s collection that feature skulls in their design.

Other, lesser known units have also appropriated skulls for their unofficial unit insignia. Special Operations Command (MARSOC) today. The design is still used in various ways by Marines in the U.S. It was influential in the adaption of the Marine Raider Regiment shoulder patch. The main exception, however, are the World War II Marine Raiders and their use of the skull.Ĭol Evans Carlson’s 2d Raider Battalion first used an unofficial skull with crossed cutlasses as its unofficial battalion logo and calling card. military has traditionally shied away from incorporating darker images of heraldry into its patches and insignia. Castro, NMMC Cultural & Material History Curator

Operation phantom fury after action