In the summer of 1982, at the request of the Lebanese government, the United States agreed to establish a U.S. military presence in that country to serve as a peacekeeping force in the conflict between warring Moslem and Christian factions. On March 24, 1983, the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit, stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, received orders to Beirut, Lebanon in support of that commitment.

Initially, the U.S. Forces, along with French and Italian forces, provided a measure of stability; however, as diplomatic efforts failed to achieve a basis for a lasting settlement, the Moslem factions came to perceive the Marines as enemies. This led to artillery, mortar, and small arms fires being directed at the Marine Corps positions - with appropriate, measured response being taken against indentified targets.

In the early morning of October 23, 1983, the First Battalion, 8th Marines Headquaters building was destroyed by a non-Lebanese, terrorist-driven truck, laden with compressed gas-enhanced explosives. This truck, like many others, had become a familiar sight at the airport and so did not raise any alarm on this morning. The resulting explosion and the collapse of the building killed 241 Marines, sailors, and soldiers.

Source: The Beirut Memorial Online

"I went down the stairs - the same stairs we'd sat on the night before to watch a show. The whole area was filled with rubble and pulverized cemet. It was everywhere as far as you could see. I saw what looked like an uprooted tree with jagged limbs. As I came closer I realized it was a human body because blood was running from the limbs."

- Major Bob Jordan

President Reagan's Speech to the Nation

President Reagan's televised address to the United States of America, speaking of both terrorist bombing in Lebanon and the Grenada invasion, October 27, 1983.

"This Cedar Of Lebanon Tree Grows In  

Living Memory Of The Americans Killed

In The Beirut Terrorist Attack And All

Victims Of Terrorism Throughtout The World

Dedicated During The First Memorial

Ceremony For These Victims

Given By No Greater Love

October 23, 1984

A Time Of Remembrance"

Arlington National Cemetery

We Remember Them...241 Who Died