Marine remembers the 1983 Beirut bombings. Do you?

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 21:12:01 -0400

Johnny Harper vividly remembers the moment the ground shook under his feet.

Sitting in a coffee shop in Ridgeland, Harper closes his eyes and is immediately transported back to 32 years ago in Beirut, Lebanon, when he was a young Marine, watching in shock and horror from a mile away as 169 lives were instantly lost in the largest attack on a U.S. military installation since Pearl Harbor. The Oct. 23, 1983, attack, the day two men drove bomb trucks into the Marine barracks and the French embassy, would eventually claim the lives of 241 American servicemen, 58 French servicemen and six civilians.

Harper, 53, has carried the memory of the 1983 Beirut barracks bombings since he was a 21-year-old lance corporal, months out of basic training. Often tormented with survivor’s guilt, Harper fights back tears as he remembers that tragic day.

He remembers the deafening noise. He remembers seeing the smoke, a black billowing, mushroom cloud reaching toward the heavens, set against a clear, cloudless sky. But he has mostly blocked out the memories of the moments of and days after the attack.

“I blocked a lot. I don’t remember. There are things I don’t remember,” the Madison resident said Wednesday, two days before the 32nd anniversary of the bombing. “I can’t tell you. I can’t remember what happened in the days after. I think a lot of it I blocked out, things that you see, yeah, that you heard, the sounds, the scents, human flesh burning. I don’t remember. I just know we were doing our job.”

So caught up in "doing his job" of filling sandbags, moving concrete and digging bodies from the rubble — and with the communication system down from the blast — Harper wasn't able to speak to his parents for 12 days. They feared the worst.

"They had the conversations about what if," he said. "Years ago, that was really hard on me knowing my parents had that conversation."

Standing over 6 feet tall, Harper wears an American flag pin on his lapel. Marine Corps cufflinks don the starched white shirt near his wrists. After his time in Beirut, Harper served a six-year commitment with the Marines. However, in the years immediately after the bombing, he held the memory close, tucking it deep within and sharing it with precious few.

“I killed people, and that’s not something I was proud of,” he said. “That was my job and they were shooting at me, but still, when you kill somebody it changes things.”

“The first 10 years were tough for me. The 30th year was the most difficult. Three decades hit me I guess; I don’t know — the reality that’s it’s been that long. No one on TV was talking about it, no one on radio, but even before the day of, I really struggled because the memories, visuals. Sometimes it looks like, it feels like it’s 32 years ago, but sometimes it feels like it was yesterday. I can see things and hear things, smell things that make it look like it’s happening, that I’m right in front of it.”

If fate had a different say, Harper, standing guard on the airport runway a mile away from the barracks, could have been killed. As a survivor, Harper has vowed to keep the memory of his friends, “his buddies,” alive.

“Every year, every October, I think about it,” he said. “It’s not about me, it’s about the guys that didn’t come home. I was the lucky one that came home.”

The young Marine had been on duty, away from the barracks, for two weeks. He returned on a Saturday and volunteered to work the graveyard shift at the airport. The majority of his friends stayed back at the barracks, taking advantage of being able to sleep in Sunday morning. Harper often wonders what would have happened if he had chosen to stay.

“They didn’t want the graveyard shift so they stayed. And some of them died. Decisions, you know. I could have stayed. They could have talked me into staying. I struggled with surviving. Yeah, it bothered me.”

With tears clouding his eyes, the former Marine, said, “My son, sometimes, when he prays, he prays and thanks God for me not dying. And he’s 6 years old.”

Harper’s faith played a large role in his coping with the bombing and the days since.

“There’s a saying there are no atheists in foxholes,” he said. “Without a doubt, even in the tragedy there, my faith was very strong. People were dying; we were sacred for our lives. I think people are drawn more to God when there is adversity, when there are bad times. People, when their lives are going good, they just chug along…it’s when things are tough that you rely on God. My faith continued to strengthen over the years, and I believe there’s a reason why I’m here. I’m not sure what it is, but there is. There are plenty of times I should have been dead in Beirut.”

Thinking of his buddies, Harper said, “Even though it happened 30 years ago, when I think about it bothers me. I care. They were my buddies, my friends. Knowing that they were killed, it still bothers me. Every year I wonder what they would be doing now if they had kids or grandkids. I do that in my head. I wonder about their parents, if they had a wife, what’s happening now. Yeah, it still gets me emotional at times. I’m pretty good with it, but there are times it does. It was 32 years ago, but I can look at it and in my mind it’s like it was yesterday.”

Friday, as people go about their day, busy with their lives, Harper hopes some will stop, just for a moment, and remember those who died 32 years ago.

“These 241 men died for us,” he said. “They were representing our democracy, our freedom. Even though they died on a foreign land, don’t forget them don’t forget their families. Don’t forget the sacrifice they made so we can continue to enjoy our freedom and the things we take for granted every day, every day. We all do. I just want to remember and honor them. That’s all.”

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Marine remembers 1983 Beirut bombings

Sitting in a coffee shop in Ridgeland, Harper closes his eyes and is immediately transported back to 32 years ago in Beirut, when he was a young Marine, watching in shock and horror from a mile away as 169 lives were instantly lost in the largest att

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 22 at 2015 9:15 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 21:15:11 -0400

MSgt Curtis Ellis great topic, I remember it, my supervisor reminds of it quite often he was there and its very emotional to listen to his story. Thanks for posting!

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 22 at 2015 9:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 21:15:19 -0400

Yes I do, MSgt Curtis Ellis. That was a very hard time for the US Military as we were being attritted by radical islamic terrorists. With the capture, torture and breaking of CIA middle-eastern terrorism expert William Buckley in March 1984 we lost most of our intelligence assets in the region to execution and compromise.
Who knows how well we would have been prepared for the 1990s and early 2000's if Buckley had not been killed.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 22 at 2015 9:42 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 21:42:29 -0400

I remember that horrible day... I lost a friend from high school in the attack

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 22 at 2015 10:10 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:10:40 -0400

I was not there, but I remember the incident vividly.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Oct 22 at 2015 10:47 PM

COL Jon Thompson — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:47:08 -0400

I was a sophomore in college and MSII cadet. I remember it because it happened almost at the same time as Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. That was the first big terrorist attack I remember along with the first major combat action by US forces since my childhood.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Oct 22 at 2015 10:50 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 22:50:29 -0400

MSgt Curtis Ellis a Many of us recall Beriut! It represents another example of where the US Military did not anticipate the 'enemy'!

Response by SSG John Jensen made Oct 23 at 2015 1:29 AM

SSG John Jensen — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 01:29:55 -0400

when the 82d was deploying for Grenada - and nobody knew what was going on, we thought that we were being sent to Lebanon - it was only the next morning, that soldiers with dictionaries, atlases , and encyclopedias became important as we all tried to figure out where Grenada was. And then I stayed in lock down on Bragg for a month while everybody else got a Caribbean vacation

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2015 2:06 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 02:06:04 -0400

Sadly, yes I do!

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 23 at 2015 3:16 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 03:16:45 -0400

Every ... damn ... day ...

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 23 at 2015 3:31 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 03:31:18 -0400

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Oct 23 at 2015 5:53 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 05:53:31 -0400

I was a 20 year old Lance Corporal at the time stationed on Okinawa with orders to go to Pendleton (departing in less than 30 days). A week after the bombing my orders were change to go to Camp Lejeune which is where most of the Marines in Beirut were from. It was not a fun time and we were unable to do much in the form of setting the score right. It was one of our first encounters with the radical islamists.

The only good that came of it was the Marine Corps modified the way sentries were armed and charged in the performance of their duties. That was exemplified by a latter truck bomb incident where tow Marine sentries stood their ground, engaged the target, stopped the truck but lost their lives in the blast protecting the lived of their fellow Marines.

Response by MAJ David Wallace made Oct 23 at 2015 8:04 AM

MAJ David Wallace — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 08:04:50 -0400

I was a 3rd Classman at VMI when we started hearing of the attack. Living in a cadet barracks, we all had a large communal day room with a TV that everyone crowded around to watch the reports. It was sickening; especially for my Brother Rats who planned on becoming Marine officers. We all hoped that we'd have the opportunity to get even with cowardly terrorists wherever they decided to show themselves. A very sad day for all of America. .......

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Oct 23 at 2015 12:59 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 12:59:08 -0400

I was 6, so it's something I vaguely remember. I do still wonder why Reagan chose to not respond. I wonder how different things would be in the ME if we had at least bloodied Iran's nose over it.

Response by LCpl John Filiatrault made Oct 23 at 2015 1:28 PM

LCpl John Filiatrault — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 13:28:57 -0400

It was one of the reasons I joined the Marines. I wanted to join and help fight stuff like that. I entered boot camp in May, 1984

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Oct 23 at 2015 9:18 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 21:18:23 -0400

I had just enlisted 3 months prior and was going to boot camp in 2 months.

Response by Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns made Oct 27 at 2015 1:34 PM

Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 13:34:26 -0400

Yes I do

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Oct 27 at 2015 2:16 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 14:16:46 -0400

I was a Marine then, married to a "Winger" with the C130 Squadron. I was a member of a Motor Trans unit, and the unit that was responsible for transporting the Marines that died that day. Due to an injury, I wasn't on the 'run schedule' that night, though I had about five hours to go before I could get home. We had one car, and not enough money to spend on making a second trip back to base to pick up the husband, so I waited for him.
The night they left, I was talking to another WM, when the buses full of Marines, and the trucks full of gear pulled up. Since their orders were to wait for the aircraft before they could leave, so they joined the discussion for an hour or two, but our attention was focused on the "Grunts" who were relaxing on the Hanger Deck, waiting for their flight. I remember one, a Redhead, who didn't look as if he'd graduated high school, who was twisting a shiny new wedding ring around on his finger. Another was showing the newest pictures of a pair of adorable twins, dressed in itty bitty Cammies. Jokes and trash-talking, they just relaxed as if all this was just another day.
I knew several of them by sight. The Corps is not all that big, and everyone knows someone who knows someone else... a large dysfunctional family at times, but still family.
I remember talking to the best man from our wedding, one of my husband's cousins, and several husbands of fellow Women Marines that I was acquainted with. I can see it so clearly... trading jokes and mild insults with them, and just as my husband was finishing up a repair on a C130, their plane arrived, and they started loading up.
It wasn't as if I hadn't seen several "Dets" going out in the past two years. Six months out, and then back, was pretty normal for those guys, so I never thought much about it, except to feel glad that they'd be home by Christmas, or so they said.
Flash forward several months, and my husband and I were attending a Fish Fry for a small church near our house. Someone yelled quiet, and turned up a small TV set inside the church, and our world stopped turning.
They didn't have names for many of the dead. Some said that most of them had the habit of hanging their dog tags on their racks each night because of the heat, and then there was the problem that all the records that might have been help identifying them had been kept inside the same barracks.
Letters still came home, wives and families had no idea who was alive and who wasn't for a month or more. When we received notice, t he drill was for the Chaplin to be driven on the condolence call by a WM driver, and I did my share of those calls. A large green sedan pulls into base housing at that time, kids disappeared, blinds closed, doors slammed. It was as if they thought they could keep the loss at bay if they didn't know which house we went to, and prayed that it wouldn't be their Marine that died.
Do I remember that day? I remember it. I remember it so well, the smell of frying fish makes me sick even now.

Response by LCpl Lynn Beamon made Oct 27 at 2015 3:46 PM

LCpl Lynn Beamon — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 15:46:45 -0400

I do remember. I was in the S-2 for BLT1/8, 24 MAU. We slept in that building but I was out that morning, getting ready to go out to an OP. God was looking out for me that day, my entire section was killed. I met up with LCpl Di Franco later when we were on Geiger with 3/8 in 1985. He still felt like it was his fault. He did get a shot off but it was too little, too late...

...haven't cried about that day in a while. I had to close the door to my office and take some time today. It was just a depressing day on the 23rd. It really sucks because we were the "good guys." We were on a peacekeeping mission and nobody's enemy. Even still we were targets. It's like we were the biggest kid in the schoolyard and some little snit had to take us down to show how tough they were.

I lost a lot of brothers that day. Most of the guys I hung out with on "Court Street" were gone. Only 3 of us out of about 10 were alive. They were in the STA PLT and I was in the 2. Lejeune was never the same after that.

When I came back I transferred and became a plankowner at 2d LAVBn on Mainside in the 2 section. I transferred back to 3/8 later where I ran into DeFranco and then went to HQCo, 8MAR S-2.

I developed lung problems in 1985. They called it asthma. It was probably from digging in the rubble and inhaling all that crap. I got a medical with 0%. I probably could have gotten something, but I didn't fight it. I just wanted to get out because things were never the same after that. It was too depressing because a lot of the Marines I knew were gone. I still miss them.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Oct 27 at 2015 4:25 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:25:15 -0400

When this happened, I had been in the Air Force for a little over a year and was stationed at Nellis AFB, NV... It was strange to see the change in my leadership, and it still took a few weeks for me to fully grasp what this meant to me, our Military and our Country... The words "Brothers and Sisters in Arms" took on a different meaning as it became more clearer and definitive... Not just words...

Response by Col Michael Thorsby made Oct 27 at 2015 4:43 PM

Col Michael Thorsby — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 16:43:44 -0400

Yes, Beirut defined many of us. I lived in that building for 6 months (as member of BLT 2/6). On 23 October 1983, 2nd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment was standing "air alert" and responded by flying over to Beirut and reconstituted BLT 1/8 (the Marine unit occupying the building at the time of the bombing). It took us 8 days to finally reach the basement of the building and retrieve the last of the 241 bodies from the wreckage. During that time, we all made a solemn vow to never let those fine young men die in vein. Politically Correct Rules of Engagement and command complacency made for a deadly recipe for that morning. Throughout my career, I never let those factors come into play; whether desert shield, desert storm, operation Iraqi Freedom, or global war on terrorism. Never let your guard down and never let politics get in the way of your Marines' safety and ability to accomplish the mission! Semper Fi

Response by SSgt Duwayne Lindsey made Oct 27 at 2015 5:42 PM

SSgt Duwayne Lindsey — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 17:42:50 -0400

SSgt Duwayne Lindsey,

I was 19 and fresh out of MOS school and attached to MSSG 22 22nd MEU we were the unit in Beirut prier to the bombing. We lost he Embassy while we were on site. Every time I look at my photo album I see that building and just start getting chills up my spine. Semper FI Marines

Response by Cpl Sharon Robino-West made Oct 27 at 2015 9:34 PM

Cpl Sharon Robino-West — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 21:34:52 -0400

Yes, I remember. It was my "9-11". I was out in the field for a training exercise at Camp Lejeune. We were out watching tracer rounds in the distance and they started calling people in to go back mainside. You don't get to just go back to mainside during an exercise. Then, they told us why. It was a very shocking and helpless feeling. I was full of rage at what I'd heard.

Response by GySgt David Warren made Oct 29 at 2015 12:23 PM

GySgt David Warren — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 12:23:54 -0400

Was on Embassy Duty from 1982-1985 Port Au Prince and Bueno Aries

Response by PFC Terry Kuehner made Oct 29 at 2015 1:12 PM

PFC Terry Kuehner — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:12:18 -0400

I was stationed at Fort McClellan when it happened as a Marine on an Army base there were several fights that broke out over the Army telling us if it were them that wouldn't hav happened

Response by SSgt Gordon Olayvar made Oct 29 at 2015 2:27 PM

SSgt Gordon Olayvar — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:27:19 -0400

John: I was a 22yr old LCpl stationed at MCAS Kaneohe Bay with 3rd Marines on October 23 1983....myself and the Marines I served with then will NEVER forget that day NEVER!....God has blessed you bro, there truly is a reason why you are here.....Semper Fi!

Response by Capt Michael Brown made Oct 29 at 2015 2:31 PM

Capt Michael Brown — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:31:40 -0400

Semper Fi brother and thank you for sharing. God bless.

Response by SGT Kim Dixon made Oct 29 at 2015 2:46 PM

SGT Kim Dixon — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:46:46 -0400

I was with BLT 3/8 Golf Battery 3/10 we had just left for home when they hit the Berrecks
when we arrived in Morehead our Command said we was going to the CAX for a months hot weather training, and we did. We had no idea what had happen till I called my father from California and he ask we where I was, then he broke down and was crying he said he was looking for my name on the list of the dead.

Response by Cpl John McCoy II made Oct 29 at 2015 2:51 PM

Cpl John McCoy II — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:51:48 -0400

Yes, I remember. I was a Corporal stationed at Concord Naval Weapons Station. We immediately went on high alert and stated that way until they modified the gates with concrete jersey walls so there was no direct way anyone could gain access at a high rate of speed. We all wanted to be transferred to Beirut. Semper FI Marines

Response by 1stLt Rick Starratt made Oct 29 at 2015 2:52 PM

1stLt Rick Starratt — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 14:52:17 -0400

I remember. I was a 2nd Lt stationed in Okinawa, but was forward deployed to the Korean DMZ for Operation Bear Hunt. Kept trying to find out if anyone I knew from OCS or The Basic School were among the casualties.

Response by LCpl Demon Scar made Oct 29 at 2015 3:20 PM

LCpl Demon Scar — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 15:20:58 -0400

I remember, though I was fortunate to have ended my active duty only months before. I felt like crap! I was saddened to no end by that event. I was working security at a Hotel in New Mexico, and I remember demanding them to lower the Flags to half mass. My biggest struggle with this is wondering if the gate guards had live ammo or blanks? You may think this is a crazy question, but during those times, when I served only months earlier, they insisted on giving us blanks on similar missions, so as not to escalate circumstances. If so, I know they regret it, and probably won't readily admit it. God bless those heroes. They gave all, and they need to be remembered for doing so.

Response by LCpl John Snitzer made Oct 29 at 2015 5:06 PM

LCpl John Snitzer — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 17:06:49 -0400

I graduated high school in May of 1983. I remember the Beirut bombing vividly. I had friends that were in the USMC at that time. I went to college for a year and decided to join the USMC in 1984. I have PTSD from an incident in the USMC. I was diagnosed in 2010, but always knew I had it. In 2013, I contacted a counselor and received treatment. I would tell anyone that is suffering from this illness to seek help. You will get better.

Response by Sgt Earl Burkhart made Oct 29 at 2015 6:59 PM

Sgt Earl Burkhart — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 18:59:39 -0400

I was there 1/8 Charlie Company I was standing guard at the airport - very little about the way I remember it. I have the 24th MAU float book - both of them. Don't find this name in it.

Response by Cpl Larry Boudreau made Oct 29 at 2015 7:19 PM

Cpl Larry Boudreau — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 19:19:00 -0400

I remember the day very well, I was a squad leader in 1/8 Bravo Co, at the time we were stationed at the other end of the runway living in sandbag fighting positions doing 6 on 6 off security shifts. On the day of the bombing I was actually on a ship headed for liberty that my platoon commander made me take cause all my guys had already gone. We heard over the PA system that we were turning around because a car bomb had gone off in the Root. We were like big deal, car bombs had been going off all the time for awhile at that point. Then more intel started to come in and the more we heard about what happened and the body count of our brothers that kept climbing, the faster we wanted to get back and dish out some payback. Of course that never happened for us, the grunts, we just kept standing duty til we packed up and headed home. Of course we had a dress Alpha inspection 3rd day back on the boat, I think they were just trying to keep our minds busy.
Yes I remember the day, still feel guilty for not being there when it happened, as if I could have done anything to change it but I think most marines would feel that way, I also felt guilty because I had personally sent 2 marines there, to the head quarters barracks for chow hall duty and they didn't make it home.
Yes I remember the day, after 32 years most of the memories have faded but I will never forget my brothers who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.
Semper Fi
Larry Boudreau

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Oct 29 at 2015 7:42 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 19:42:42 -0400

I remember when it happened, I was at Fort Bragg at a Regimental Fire-ex with E 2/10. I believe it was a Sunday Morning . The Battery was going to an "admin area" We were going to have a "day off" to do maintenance and we were going to send Marines to an Admin tent to do SRB audits. There was a light drizzle and our First Sgt Came up and told us there had been a bombing and 10 Marines were KIA. We were told to pack up and get ready to go back to Camp Lejuene.
As the day went on the numbers got higher and higher. We got back and we ended up sending about a dozen Forward Observers and Radio Operaters to replace the Marines who were lost. Not a good day for any Marine who served and heard about how we lost brothers over there.
Another note, as soon as I could I called my Mom. She had ben crying all day worried that I had been deployed and not told anyone I had left. I'm glad I did. She was beside herself. But thats how moms are.

Response by Sgt Scott Cruse made Oct 30 at 2015 8:13 AM

Sgt Scott Cruse — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 08:13:44 -0400

Beirut Landing Feb. 83. Semper Fi.

Response by SSgt Kimberly Bowling made Oct 30 at 2015 2:04 PM

SSgt Kimberly Bowling — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 14:04:57 -0400

I was stationed at Camp Lejeune working at Administrative Procedures under the G-1. Now, remember, this was before computers and whatnot. We worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week compiling KIAs, MIAs, and WIAs on huge white boards in the Division Adjutant's office building. Every morning the G-1 wanted a briefing of all up to date info. I remember President Reagan coming for a memorial service at 2d MarDiv Hdqtrs., we were in the building right across the street, but weren't even allowed to watch from outside the front of the building. Secret Service was everywhere. My office eventually started receiving mount out boxes full of torn up SRBs, and debris. We had to reconstruct all the SRBs. Lost a few friends, all admin types because of this tragedy.

Response by Pvt Andre Havard made Oct 31 at 2015 7:43 AM

Pvt Andre Havard — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 07:43:36 -0400

I was a junior in high school when this horrible cowardly attack happened from that moment all I could do think about enlisting into the Marine Corps
Upon my Senior graduation I was ready to go but my family wasn't especially my Mom and grandmother so out of respect for them I didn't but the call was always there calling me.
On February 10/'90 I answered that long over due call at the age of 25 but I had to honor my fallen brothers.

Response by PFC Henry Harvey made Oct 31 at 2015 8:48 AM

PFC Henry Harvey — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 08:48:06 -0400

It's one I will never forget. I was in boot camp & turned 18 on 10/23,1983. I felt proud of reaching my age when my SDI told us 241 US Marines were killed in Beirut, Lebanon. This was disheartening but motivation to become a United States Marine.

Response by Cpl Donald Erne made Oct 31 at 2015 11:01 AM

Cpl Donald Erne — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 11:01:05 -0400

I remember. Was a sophomore in high school and home sick that day. Was a defining moment for me because I had already thought of joining after graduation but that day I made that decision that I was going to enlist just as soon as I could. Semper Fi and God Bless.

Response by Sgt John Hall made Oct 31 at 2015 4:36 PM

Sgt John Hall — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 16:36:42 -0400

I was a 21 year old Cpl. and a squad leader with Co. L 3/3 at the time. We were at the end of a westpac float in Mombasa, Kenya when 1/8 took incoming rocket fire that killed a SSGT and a LT. We were put on alert to go to Beirut and after our port visit we did. We sat off the coast for about a month and a half standing by to reinforce 1/8. We left the med and crossed back through the Suez canal into the persian gulf and the next day we had company formation on the flight deck and the CO read a message to us that the 1/8 HQ building had been truck bombed. We were all stunned and wanted to turn around and go back and kill every booger eater we saw. Didn't happen and we continued back to the PI and then back to Hawaii. What I remember most and is still galling to me to this day was the 27 rules of engagement we had to memorize verbatim and the stupid little lamenated card with all the stupid little rules we had to have in our pockets at all times. Had it not been for these insane rules written by civilians at the state department and then signed off by the commander in chief, the tragedy that day would not have occurred. 3 months later we folded up our circus tent and went home without firing a single round in retaliation. Osama said that event and our failure to respond is what inspired him to develop his plans to attack the U.S. He said if we got punched in the nose we would just go home. Admiral Lyons was CINCPACFLT at the time and he said recently in a speech about terrorism, that Reagan had approved a joint strike with France to hit Syria and Iran in retaliation. For some reason Casper Wineberger refused to issue the order to the JCS to carry out the hit. I am dumbstruck why Reagan didn't fire that idiot and order the strike himself. In 1985 I was in Oaknoll Naval hospital having surgery and one night a guy came in my room in a wheel chair. Said he had survived the blast and was there having his 18th surgery. They were still taking glass out of this poor guys body 2 years later. The only thing worse than a politician is a child molester and not by much.

Semper Fi

Response by Sgt Benton Garrison made Oct 31 at 2015 10:29 PM

Sgt Benton Garrison — Sat, 31 Oct 2015 22:29:50 -0400

Was there also, bad day and still is.

Response by Cpl Don "GUNNY" Miller made Nov 13 at 2015 3:20 PM

Cpl Don "GUNNY" Miller — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 15:20:12 -0500

Hell yes I remember! I am now 68, and when it happened I was ready to go back in and volunteer to go after those responsible for it and kill them all! Semper Fi

Response by CWO3 Scott Pipenhagen made Nov 16 at 2018 3:29 PM

CWO3 Scott Pipenhagen — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:29:05 -0500

Had some buddies killed there...
Remember it every year and, apparently, passed this along to my 14 y/o daughter who wrote this poem...