Why doesn't Desert Storm get the recognition it deserves?

2015-06-23T21:28:11-04:00

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jun 23 at 2015 9:36 PM

2015-06-23T21:36:26-04:00

What does it deserve that you don't feel it is getting? It lasted 8-9 months from buildup to ticket home. We got in, did what the politicians would let us do with a fraction of a percent casualties, and then we got out. Yes, Job WELL done, but at the same time, spending 1, 2 or 3; 13 month tours are a bitch. These guys today have a hell of a load to bear. Yeah, we did our thing and did it well, but sustaining against an insurgency is just plain harder. I'm OK with being a little lost in the shuffle of that...in fact, my only regret is that I didn't stick around to do my part of it.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 9:42 PM

2015-06-23T21:42:45-04:00

I'm not sure there's any recognition deserved that Desert Storm isn't given. Can you be more specific?

It is not in the forefront of people's thoughts given the two more recent and long term wars. That doesn't mean that our fight wasn't recognized.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jun 24 at 2015 1:13 AM

2015-06-24T01:13:52-04:00

Desert Storm was a "good war" with clearly defined goals and objectives. Desert Storm laid the ghosts of Vietnam to rest. We showed America and the World what we could do. We were tasked with kicking Iraq out of Kuwait and did it within 100 hours. We beat the 4th largest Army in the world in 100 hours. We packed up and left and everybody loved us. We had big parades, America celebrated and everything was good. We were lionized and then it was done. A "job well done" was all we really needed, but got so much more from the American public - adoration, a never ending supply of morale items and free candy. The war was over too quickly to even have any decent music. But then some folks thought deep thoughts and you know the rest - we now have a heavy metal soundtrack to Iraq & Afghanistan.

Response by CPL Steven Neice made Jun 24 at 2015 12:19 PM

2015-06-24T12:19:47-04:00

It's just one of those things, Like Panama (Operation Just Cause) you never hear people talk about it. Back in the day there we a lot of Korean war vets that felt the same as we do know. I think personally that they just shove us into the "Iraq" category thinking it's all the same.

Response by SFC Henry Bartosik made Jun 24 at 2015 4:24 PM

2015-06-24T16:24:34-04:00

Been there, done that and got the cookie. Apparently so have you. You did your job. Now move on. Our time in the sand is over thank god. And for those who replace us in current and future conflicts I applaud and support them. As I do with veterans of all conflict past and present. One is no greater that the other. We serve to protect and defend and that's it. That's what we signed up for. Get over it.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Jun 24 at 2015 5:18 PM

2015-06-24T17:18:59-04:00

It was quick and precise. Get in, get the job done and get out. Yeah the statistics are impressive, but in the minds of the American public it's a blip on the radar like Panama.

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Jun 25 at 2015 8:33 PM

2015-06-25T20:33:23-04:00

We did what we needed to do, get in then out. Amazing how it worked out considering that they were a battle hardened desert country. An environment we had not fought since 1943-44. Well planned an executed with a Patton like figure at the helm. Though the underlying reason for being there might not be just, the surface reason was.
Yes, the most current Wars overshadow what was done, but many of the Privates, Lts became the leaders of the Most recent Wars and many of them died in them but none the less, they're DS experience molded them.
Yes, we are in the annals of american warfare that rates with wars and conflicts such as the Quasi War with France in the late 1780s to 1790s. Battle with the Barbary Pirates, an early precursor to battle with radical islam, War of 1812, Spanish American War, Boxer Rebellion, Philippine Insurrection, Mexican Expedition, Parts of WWII where the Japanese bombed parts of Alaska and a sub Shot at the Oregon Coast along with ballonbombing Oregon, Grenada, Panama, DS, Early intervention into the Balkans and lets not forget those at Archangle. Some of these we started, technically and historically we fired the first shot against the Japanese sinking a mini sub prior to Pearl. A 5" shell from A WWI destroyer, its gun is now at Annapolis I believe, by us (1812)

Response by SGT(P) Harry Clyde Jr. made Jun 25 at 2015 8:52 PM

2015-06-25T20:52:02-04:00

Just to add, we did go into the unkown and with dated equipment.
But take pride, We were the last to use the Battleship, the last to have them, the Iraqis feared them. We improvised our equipment designed for wars in europe to the desert, we didnt use modern technology at the lowest levels cause it didnt exist. I could name many many more but why? Look at it like this, You know where you've been and what you have done. As long as we and our families do not forget, we live forever in the back of the book of American Warfare but we are there! And we and our predecessors didnt have the technology of now.
As long as were alive and in the books our War, leaders, service members live on.
On a different note, rumor has it that at least 2 of our 16" gunned battle wagons, though "museums" are still kept in a state where they can go to battle 2 to 6 months after being called. Even on todays waters or shores, They would be a terrifying site to the enemy. Up there with the AC130 as far as Im concerned.
I ranted again.

Response by LCpl Jeffery Dozier made Jun 26 at 2015 1:32 AM

2015-06-26T01:32:13-04:00

I guess the same reason they" lost "the medical records for 10yrs you can't complain with out medical records

Response by SGT Kevin McCourt made Jun 26 at 2015 5:55 AM

2015-06-26T05:55:09-04:00

People were expecting more, I am guessing. I lost a few buddies from my platoon. Their loss will always be remembered. I do take pride in that our leadership planned the invasion very well. We kicked butt and took names in record time. A very commendable achievement.

Response by SGT William Howell made Jun 26 at 2015 9:17 AM

2015-06-26T09:17:14-04:00

You guys were too good. By the time I got on a plane and made it there it was done. Because it was so short people have forgot. It is sad to say and unfortunate. I still want to thank you for what you did.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2015 5:13 PM

2015-06-30T17:13:15-04:00

There are some really great responses here while I do not think any of us are worried about notoriety associated with having deployed and done what we were trained to do. We go places and if anything I believe that regardless of branch of service or whether one has deployed are not that everyone should be recognized during these eras equally. The first thing that as a young Navy Airman Apprentice I noticed during my first deployment in support of Operation Desert Storm was a Baskin and Robbins pier side. Only a small number of those who deploy truly leave the sanctity of the FOB while they are usually the first ones to boast of being combat veterans. lol

Kuwait, Dubai and other locations should not warrant a Soldier receiving a FWTS-SSI...as a matter of fact FOBITS shouldn't warrant such either....trust me when I say they have all the creature comforts of home and then some while the one's who truly deserve the recognition of being in combat did far more than taking incoming mortars a couple times a day!!!

Response by SSG Keith Roberson made Jul 22 at 2015 11:27 AM

2015-07-22T11:27:40-04:00

Basically it was over before it began. It only took us 96 hours to run them out of Kuwait back to Iraq. Minimal casualties, no controversies, just a great bunch of leaders at the top who knew how to get things done. Hands down, General Schwatzkopf was an amazing leader during this Operation.

Response by SPC Robert Pulliam made Aug 23 at 2015 2:32 PM

2015-08-23T14:32:07-04:00

Good question. I am a Desert Storm Veteran as well.