HISTORICAL ARCHIVES
of
MARINE CORPS EMBASSY SECURITY GROUP

Welcome to the home of the Marine Embassy Guard Association (MEGA), Marine Security Guard Program Historical Archives.

The association membership is composed of those who have honorably completed tours as Marine Security Guards (MSGs) with the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group (formerly the Marine Security Guard Battalion) or those Marines who served as HQ or Regional support staff. Associate Members include member spouses, and Department of State Regional Security Officers and their support staff.

Formerly known as "Embassy Marines" and formed through an agreement established in 1948, between the US Department of State and the United State Marine Corps, Marine Security Guards perform security operations at overseas diplomatic facilities.

MEGA is celebration of solidarity and brotherhood of those MSGs that served. Formed in 1997 by our founder Robert "Big Bob" Kienietz and the organization and has grown steadily each year.

If you are a visiting MSG or former MSG, please review your details and forward any additional information, up-dates, corrections to: history@msghistory.com

*MEGA is open to all Marines who served honorably and completed tours with the Marine Security Guard program at all levels.

To Join go to the MEGA Site at www.embassymarine.org

Mission

Our mission is to provide accurate and vetted information which reflects the history of the Marine Security Guard Program while ensuring operational security of Military, DOS and local personnel on post.

Vision

We want to provide a comprehensive library of information that archives the legacy of the Marine Security Guard Program and honors the sacrifices made by MSGs who have served at Department of State diplomatic posts around the world.

Team

The MEGA Marine Security Guard Historical Archives is a volunteer effort to research, archive and display the history of the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group.

This effort requires volunteers with a varied set of skills:

• Archives Web Site Maintenance

• Historical Archivists

• Historical Research of On-Line Encyclopedias, Military, Dept of State and News Outlets

• Interviewing MSGs

Contact Us

MEGA: contact@embassymarine.org
MSG HISTORY: history@msghistory.com

Jack McGarry
MSG History Site Admin

Mary Tracy
Historian

Joe Mitchel
Historian

Josh Schenkler
Historian

MEMORIES of your Tour
"What is the most vivid memory you have from your tour(s)
either from your MSG experiences, or about the country / city you toured in?"
(Send your memory to Contact MSG history)

Jack McGarry (Brasilia 76/Panama 77) - "From Panama in 1977 we had massive demonstrations (30k+) These demonstrators passed in front of the embassy, along Ave Balboa. They were protesting the Canal Zone Treaty being negotiated by the US (President Carter), and Panama (Omar Torrijos) The embassy was bordered by a boardwalk and the Bay of Panama (Pacific Ocean). We'd been briefed that Cuba had infiltrators that were trying to goad the protesters into violence. We'd assumed posts around the embassy to monitor the crowds over a 2 day period. Panamanian Guards and MPs didn't do anything to stop folks from running up to the embassy to spray paint, or to prevent them from throwing crap at the embassy. The demonstrations ended without incident. I've friends from the 1978 detachment who faced similar demonstrations with no incidents, however... fast forward to 1989, Christmas Eve, during the invasion of Panama, the Embassy was left entirely undefended except for the MSG force (1/6).
For a powerful recounting of that incident by the then NCOIC Staff Sergeant Pellow go to PostOnePodcast.com Episode 12

Contact MEGA / MSG History