A Liberty ship might carry roughly 38 merchant mariners, with larger complements depending on its cargo and employment. A US Navy Armed Guard detachment of about 21 to 40 personnel operated guns for anti-aircraft and anti-submarine defense. This dedicated military party differed from British cases in which merchant sailors were trained to use fitted weapons themselves. Some British merchant mariners preferred that arrangement because they considered themselves properly motivated to defend their ship. Protecting merchant shipping therefore required an organizational choice about who would supply, train, and command its combat manpower.
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US Navy Armed Guards defend Liberty ship crews and cargo
Dedicated Navy gun crews supplemented merchant mariners aboard armed Liberty ships, contrasting with British reliance on merchant crews for some defensive weapons.