Beirut 30 years later

I was only 14 in October of 1983. I'd recently started high school and had just seen my entire life uprooted & moved from the DC suburbs to coastal Maine when my mom got married a few days previously. But I also wasn't the typical teenager...

I was a news junkie and a military & history buff from a young age. While my peers were watching MTV I was intently watching events unfold in Beirut. Our peacekeeping force was attacked by a terrorist car bomb that killed 241 American servicemen; 220 Marines, 18 Navy sailors and 3 Army soldiers. It was my first, and sadly not last, lesson in Islamic terrorism and Jihadi insanity.

Today is the thirtieth anniversary of the Beirut bombing. Never Forget.

From September 1982, when we first got involved in Lebanon,  through the withdrawal in February of 1984,a total of 267 American servicemen lost their lives in Lebanon: 240 from the Marine Corps, 7 from the US Army, 19 from the US Navy, and 1 from the US Air Force. The names of all of them are below.

    Abbott, Terry W. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Alexander, Clemon S. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Allman, John R. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Arnold, Moses J. Jr. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Bailey, Charles K. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Baker, Nicholas - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Banks, Johansen - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Barrett, Richard E. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Bates, Ronny K. - Hospital Corpsman 1st Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Battle, David L. - First Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Baynard, James R. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Beamon, Jesse W. - Hospitalman, USN - 10/23/83
    Belmer, Alvin. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Biddle, Shannon D. - Corporal, USMC - 12/4/83
    Bland, Stephen - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Blankenship, Richard L. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Blocker, John W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Boccia, Joseph J. Jr. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Bohannon, Leon Jr. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Bohnet, John R. Jr. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Bonk, John J. Jr. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Boulos, Jeffrey L. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Bousum, David R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Boyett, John N. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Brown, Anthony - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Brown, David W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Buchanan, Bobby S. Jr. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Buckmaster, John B. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Burley, William F. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Butler, Alfred III - Captain, USMC - 2/9/84
    Cain, Jimmy R. - Hospitalman, USN - 10/23/83
    Callahan, Paul L. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Camara, Mecot E. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Campus, Bradley J. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Carlson, Randall A. - Major, USA - 9/25/82
    Ceasar, Johnnie D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Cherman, Sam - Corporal, USMC - 12/4/83
    Clark, Randy W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 9/6/83
    Cole, Marc L. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Coleman, Marcus A. - Specialist 4th Class, USA - 10/23/83
    Comas, Juan M. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Conley, Robert A. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Cook, Charles D. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Cooper, Curtis J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Copeland, Johnny L. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Corcoran, Bert D. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Cosner, David L. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Coulman, Kevin P. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Cox, Manuel A. - Sergeant, USMC - 12/4/83
    Croft, Brett A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Crudale, Rick R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Custard, Kevin P. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Cyzick, Russell E. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Daugherty, David L. - Corporal, USMC - 12/4/83
    Davis, Andrew L. - Major, USMC - 10/23/83
    Decker, Sidney James - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Devlin, Michael J. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Dibenedetto, Thomas A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Dorsey, Nathaniel G. - Private, USMC - 10/23/83
    Douglass, Frederick B. - Sergeant Major, USMC - 10/23/83
    Dramis, George L. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 1/30/84
    Dunnigan, Timothy J. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Earle, Bryan L. - Hospitalman, USN - 10/23/83
    Edwards, Roy L. - Master Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Elliot, William D. Jr. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Ellison, Jesse - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Estes, Danny R. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Estler, Sean F. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Evans, Thomas A. - Corporal, USMC - 12/4/83
    Faulk, James E. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Fluegel, Richard A. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Forrester, Steven M. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Foster, William B. Jr. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Fulcher, Michael D. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Fuller, Benjamin E. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Fulton, Michael S. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gaines, William Jr. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gallagher, Sean R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gander, David B. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gangur, George M. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gann, Leland E. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Garcia, Randall J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Garcia, Ronald J. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gargano, Edward J. - Corporal, USMC - 1/8/84
    Gay, David D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Ghumm, Harold D. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gibbs, Warner Jr. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Giblin, Timothy R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gorchinski, Michael W. - Chief Electronics Technician, USN - 10/23/83
    Gordon, Richard J. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Gratton, Harold F. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Greaser, Robert B. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Green, Davin M. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hairston, Thomas A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Haltiwanger, Freddie Jr. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hamilton, Virgel D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hanton, Gilbert - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hart, William - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Haskell, Michael S. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hastings, Michael A. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hattaway, Jeffrey T. - Private First Class, USMC - 12/4/83
    Hein, Paul A. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Held, Douglas E. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Helms, Mark A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Henderson, Ferrandy D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hernandez, Matilde Jr. - Master Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hernandez, Rodolfo - Lance Corporal, USMC - 1/30/84
    Hester, Stanley G. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hildreth, Donald W. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Holberton, Richard H. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Holland, Robert S. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Hollingshead, Bruce A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Holmes, Melvin D. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Howard, Bruce L. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hudson, John R. - Lieutenant, USN - 10/23/83
    Hudson, Terry L. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hue, Lyndon J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Hukill, Maurice E. - Second Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Iacovino, Edward S. Jr. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Ingalls, John J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Innocenzi, Paul G. III - Warrant Officer, USMC - 10/23/83
    Jackowski, James J. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    James, Jeffrey W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Jenkins, Nathaniel W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Johnson, Michael H. - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Johnston, Edward A. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Jones, Steven - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Julian, Thomas A. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Kees, Marion E. - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Keown, Thomas C. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Kimm, Edward E. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Kingsley, Walter V. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Kluck, Daniel S. - Sergeant, USA - 10/23/83
    Knipple, James C. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Kraft, Todd A. - Corporal, USMC - 12/4/83
    Kreischer, Freas H. III - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Laise, Keith J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lamb, Thomas G. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lange, Mark A. - Lieutenant, USN - 12/4/83
    Langon, James J. IV - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lariviere, Michael S. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lariviere, Steven B. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lemnah, Richard L. - Master Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lewis, David A. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Lewis, Val S. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Livingston, Joseph R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Losey, Donald George - Second Lieutenant, USMC - 8/29/83
    Lyon, Paul D. Jr. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Macroglou, John W. - Major, USMC - 10/23/83
    Maitland, Samuel - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Martin, Charlie R. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Martin, Jack L. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Massa, David S. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Massman, Michael R. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Mattacchione, Joseph J. - Private, USMC - 10/23/83
    Maxwell, Ben H. - Staff Sergeant, USA - 4/18/83
    McCall, John - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    McDonough, James E. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    McMahon, Timothy R. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    McMaugh, Robert V. - Corporal, USMC - 4/18/83
    McNeely, Timothy D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    McVicker, George N. II - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Melendez, Louis - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Menkins, Richard H. II - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Mercer, Michael D. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Meurer, Ronald W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Milano, Joseph P. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Moore, Joseph P. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Morrow, Richard A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Muffler, John F. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Munoz, Alex - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Myers, Harry D. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Nairn, David J. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Nava, Luis A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Ohler, Michael J. - Captain, USMC - 10/16/83
    Olson, John A. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Olson, Robert P. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Ortega, Alexander M. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 8/29/83
    Ortiz, Richard C. - Chief Warrant Officer 3, USMC - 10/23/83
    Owen, Jeffrey B. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Owens, Joseph A. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Page, Connie Ray - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Parker, Ulysses - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Payne, Mark W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Pearson, John L. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Perkins, Marvin H. - Corporal, USMC - 12/4/83
    Perron, Thomas S. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Phillips, John A. Jr. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Piercy, George W. - Chief Hospital Corpsman, USN - 10/23/83
    Plymel, Clyde W. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Pollard, William H. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Pomalestorres, Rafael I. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Prevatt, Victor M. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Price, James C. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Prindeville, Patrick K. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Pulliam, Eric A. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Quirante, Diomedes J. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Randolph, David M. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Ray, Charles R. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Reagan, David L. - Corporal, USMC - 9/30/82
    Relvas, Rui A. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Rich, Terrence L. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Richardson, Warren - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Rodriguez, Juan C. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Rotondo, Louis J. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Salazar, Mark E. - Staff Sergeant, USA - 4/18/83
    San Pedro, Guillermo Jr. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Sauls, Michael C. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Schnorf, Charles J. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Schultz, Scott L. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Scialabba, Peter J. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Scott, Gary R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Shallo, Ronald L. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Shipp, Thomas A. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Shropshire, Jerryl D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Silvia, James F. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Sliwinski, Stanley J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Smith, Kirk H. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Smith, Thomas G. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Smith, Vincent L. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Soares, Edward - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Soifert, Alan H. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/14/83
    Sommerhof, William S. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Spaulding, Michael C. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Spearing, John W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Spencer, Stephen E. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Stelpflug, Bill J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Stephens, Horace R. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Stockton, Craig S. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Stokes, Jeffrey G. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Stowe, Thomas D. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Sturghill, Eric D. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Sundar, Devon L. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Surch, James F. Jr. - Lieutenant, USN - 10/23/83
    Thompson, Dennis A. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Thorstad, Thomas P. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Tingley, Stephen D. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Tishmack, John J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Townsend, Henry Jr. - Corporal, USMC - 12/2/83
    Trahan, Lex D. - Private, USMC - 10/23/83
    Twine, Richard - Sergeant First Class, USA - 4/18/83
    Valle, Pedro J. - Corporal, USMC - 9/6/83
    Vallone, Donald H. Jr. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Walker, Eric R. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Walker, Leonard W. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Warren, Harley - Major, USAF - 9/25/82
    Washington, Eric G. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Weekes, Obrian - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wells, Tandy W. - First Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wentworth, Steven B. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wesley, Allen D. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    West, Lloyd D. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Weyl, John R. - Staff Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wherland, Burton D. Jr. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wigglesworth, Dwayne W. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Williams, Rodney J. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Williams, Scipio Jr. - Gunnery Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Williamson, Johnny A. - Lance Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wint, Walter E. Jr. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Winter, William E. - Captain, USMC - 10/23/83
    Wolfe, John E. - Corporal, USMC - 10/23/83
    Woollett, Donald E. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Worley, David E. - Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class, USN - 10/23/83
    Wyche, Craig L. - Private First Class, USMC - 10/23/83
    Yarber, James G. - Sergeant First Class, USA - 10/23/83
    Young, Jeffrey D. - Sergeant, USMC - 10/23/83
    Zimmerman, William A. - First Lieutenant, USMC - 10/23/83

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