We remember those 19 American servicemen who were killed on October 25, 1983, in the U.S. intervention to restore order and political stability in Grenada. This invasion, to quell rising political upheaval and potential chaos in this traditionally peaceful island, was the largest American combat action conducted since the end of the Vietnam War. The action was taken because the U.S., in signing the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) treaty in 1981, had pledged to take whatever steps might be necessary to preserve the stability and security of the region. The U.S.'s primary objective in Grenada was to reduce long-simmering political disputes, which sometimes erupted into violence and to help restore a disintegrating government there. At the time about 1,000 U.S. citizens were living in Grenada, 800 of them were students at the St. George University Medical School and the President was concerned that these citizens might be harmed or held as hostages.

As an additional result of the October 25th invasion, increasing intervention by the Soviet Union and Cuba and its revolutionary drift into the Soviet sphere of influence was stopped, and the fear of a potential strategic Soviet/Cuban military base on that island was put to rest.

For the cause of peace and freedom for our country and for all of the other free nations in our hemisphere, these 19 brave Americans gave their lives.

Defenders of Freedom

"All those American servicemen we honor today chose to wear the uniform of their country. They believed in defending the freedoms this country stands for. They were willing to die for that freedom. Where do we find men like this? We all know the answer. They come from families like yours, from farms and villages, towns and cities across this nation. What they did for us - for our country - is what America is all about."

—Excerpts from President Reagan's Remarks to the
Families of the Victims of Grenada, November 4, 1983.

President Reagan's televised addess to the Nation, speaking of both the terrorist bombing in Lebanon and the Grenada invasion, October 27, 1983.