Beirut and Grenada

EVENT

35th Anniversary of Actions in Beirut and Grenada
October 23, 2018 (10 am - 3 pm)
National Museum of the Marine Corps

On October 23, 2018, the Museum will mark the 35th anniversaries of the bombings of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, and the beginning of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada with a special display of artifacts and archival materials associated with both actions.  

Our curators will be displaying artifacts from our collection and the USMC History Division, Special Collections will be displaying original maps, photographs, documentation, and personal papers during the event.

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"I know there are no words that can express our sorrow and grief for the loss of these splendid young men and the injury to many others."
President Ronald Reagan, 23 October 1983

October 2018 marks the 35th anniversaries of the terrorist bombings of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, and the beginning of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. Both events saw Marines serving abroad in combat zones and under confusing and hostile conditions. They performed admirably through chaos and tragedy and confirmed that the Marine Corps was America's force in readiness.

Marines of the II Marine Amphibious Force rotated units from the United States to Lebanon, beginning in June 1982, maintaining a presence through February 1984. During these deployments, they faced heightened hostilities from terrorist groups, which culminated in the horrific bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut on 23 October 1983.  

Marines of the 22d Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) en route to Lebanon were diverted to participate in Operation Urgent Fury.  On 25 October, they landed on the Caribbean island nation of Grenada on short notice.  Eight days later and with no respite, these same Marines embarked for Lebanon to relieve the beleaguered 24th MAU. 

Temporary Exhibit:
35th Anniversary of Beirut and Grenada

A temporary exhibit that covers the history of the Corps' involvement in Beirut and Grenada can be viewed in the Legacy Walk Gallery.

These topics and more will be explored in the Museum's Final Phase historical galleries opening in 2019-20.