1983 Beirut Bombing
In 1982, at the request of the Lebanese government, the United States and France established a peacekeeping force between Muslims and Christians in Beirut, Lebanon. The international peacekeeping forces, however were viewed as enemies and were frequently attacked with artillery and mortar. On October 23, 1983 a large truck loaded with 2,500 pounds of TNT crashed through the main gate of the U.S. Marine Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon killing 241 servicemen (mostly made up of U.S. Marines) and wounding 81. Marines of Hispanic descent accounted for 16 of the deaths. The attack remains the deadliest single attack on Americans overseas since World War II. The Marines were moved offshore where they could not be targeted. On February 7, 1984, President Ronald Reagan ordered the Marines to begin withdrawal from Lebanon.
| Name | Rank | Place of birth |
|---|---|---|
| Caesar, Johnnie D. | E3Lance Corporal |
El Campo, Texas |
| Comas, Juan M. | E2Private First Class | Hialeah, Florida |
| Garcia, Randall J. | E3Lance Corporal | Modesto, California |
| Garcia, Ronald J. | E3Lance Corporal | Jacksonville, North Carolina |
| Hernandez, Jr., Matilde | E7Gunnery Sergeant | Midway Park, North Carolina |
| Melendez, Louis | E2Private First Class | ---, PR |
| Munoz, Alex | E4Corporal | Bloomfield, New Mexico |
| Nava, Luis A. | E3Lance Corporal | Gardena, California |
| Ortega, Alexander | E6Staff Sergeant | Rochester, New York |
| Ortiz, Richard C. | CWO3Chief Warrant Officer | New York City, New York |
| Pomales Torres, Rafael | E5Sergeant | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Rodriquez, Juan | E5Sergeant | Miami, Florida |
| Rotondo, Louis | E3Lance Corporal | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| San Pedro, Guillermo | E3Lance Corporal | Hialeah, Florida |
| Silvia, James F. | E3Lance Corporal | Middletown, Rhode Island |
| Valle, Pedro J. | E4Corporal | San Juan, PR |
Read more about this topic: Hispanics In The United States Marine Corps
Famous quotes containing the word bombing:
“My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes.”
—Ronald Reagan (b. 1911)