| History of the United States expansion and influence |
|---|
| Colonialism |
| Militarism |
| Foreign policy |
|
| Concepts |
Thistimeline of United States military operations, based in part on reports by theCongressional Research Service, shows the years and places in whichUnited States Armed Forces units participated in armed conflicts or occupation of foreign territories. Itemsin bold are wars most often considered to bemajor conflicts by historians and the general public.
Note that instances where the U.S. government gave aid alone, with no military personnel involvement, are excluded, as areCentral Intelligence Agency operations. In domestic peacetime disputes such as riots andlabor issues, only operations undertaken byactive duty personnel (also called "federal troops" or "U.S. military") are depicted in this article;state defense forces and theNational Guard are not included, as they are not fully integrated into the U.S. Armed Forces even if they are federalized for duty within the United States itself.
Throughout its history, the United States has engaged in numerous military conflicts. The country has officially declared war on foreign nations on five occasions. Additionally, theUnited States Congress and theUnited Nations Security Council have authorized and funded various military engagements. In the military, specific names are assigned to operations and phases of wars. For example, during theGulf War, operations were designated as Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Desert Sabre. Furthermore, each operation may encompass distinct phases, each with its own unique name.[1]
Portions of this list are from theCongressional Research Service report RL30172, version of October 5, 2004.[2]
1775–1783:American Revolutionary War: an armed struggle for secession from theBritish Empire by theThirteen Colonies that would subsequently become the United States.
1776–1777:Cherokee War of 1776: a series of armed conflicts when theCherokee fought to prevent the encroachment of American settlers intoeastern Tennessee andeastern Kentucky; under British rule, this land had been preserved as native territory.
1776–1794:Cherokee–American wars: a continuation of the Second Cherokee War, which included a larger number of native tribes attempting to halt the expansion of settlers intoKentucky andTennessee
1785–1795:Northwest Indian War: a series of battles with various native tribes in present-dayOhio. The goal of the campaign was to affirm American sovereignty over the region and to create increased opportunities for settlement.
1786–1787:Shays' Rebellion: aWestern Massachusetts debtor's revolt over a credit squeeze that had financially devastated many farmers. Thefederal government was fiscally unable to raise an army to assist thestate militia in combating the uprising; the weakness of thenational government bolstered the arguments in favor of replacing theArticles of Confederation with anupdated governmental framework.
1791–1794:Whiskey Rebellion: a series of protests against the institution of afederal tax on the distillation of spirits as a revenue source for repaying the nation'swar bonds. The revolt was centered uponsouthwestern Pennsylvania, although violence occurred throughout theTrans-Appalachian region.
1798–1800:Quasi-War: an undeclared naval war with theFrench First Republic over American default on its war debt. Another contributing factor was the continuation of American trade with Britain, with whom their former French allies were at war. This contest included land actions, such as that in theDominican Republic city ofPuerto Plata, whereU.S. Marines captured a French vessel under the guns of the forts. Congress authorized military action through a series of statutes.[2]
1799–1800:Fries's Rebellion: a string of protests against the enactment of new real estate taxes to pay for the Quasi-War. Hostilities were concentrated in the communities of thePennsylvania Dutch.
1801–1805:First Barbary War: a series of naval battles in the Mediterranean against theKingdom of Tripoli, a quasi-independent state of theOttoman Empire. Action was in response to the capture of numerous American ships by the infamousBarbary pirates. The federal government rejected the Tripolitan request for an annual tribute to guarantee safe passage, and an American naval blockade ensued. After the seizure ofUSS Philadelphia, American forces underWilliam Eaton invaded coastal cities. Apeace treaty resulted in the payment of a ransom for the return of captured American soldiers and only temporarily eased hostilities.[2]
1806:Pike Expedition: On an exploratory expedition ordered by Gen.James Wilkinson, an Army platoon under CaptainZebulon Pike unintentionally enteredSpanish Mexico at the headwaters of theRio Grande. Pike and his troops were made prisoner without resistance ata fort he constructed in present-dayColorado, taken to Mexico, and later released after seizure of his papers.[RL30172]
1806–1810: Action in theGulf of Mexico: Americangunboats operated fromNew Orleans against Spanish and Frenchprivateers off theMississippi Delta, chiefly under CaptainJohn Shaw and CommodoreDavid Porter.[2]
1810:West Florida (Spanish territory): GovernorWilliam C. C. Claiborne ofLouisiana, on orders of PresidentJames Madison, occupied with troops territory in dispute east of theMississippi River as far as thePearl River, later the eastern boundary of Louisiana. He was authorized to seize as far east as thePerdido River.[RL30172]
1812:Amelia Island and other parts of east Florida, then under Spain: Temporary possession was authorized by PresidentJames Madison and by Congress, to prevent occupation by any other power; but possession was obtained by GeneralGeorge Mathews in so irregular a manner that his measures were disavowed by the President.[RL30172]
1812–1815:War of 1812: On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war against the United Kingdom. Among the issues leading to the war were Britishimpressment of American sailors into theRoyal Navy, interception of neutral ships and blockades of the United States during British hostilities with France, and support for Indian attacks on American settlers in theNorthwest Territory.[RL30172] The war ended with theBattle of New Orleans in 1815.
1813: West Florida (Spanish territory): On authority given by Congress, General Wilkinson seizedMobile Bay in April with 600 soldiers. A small Spanish garrison gave way. Thus U.S. troops advanced into disputed territory to thePerdido River, as projected in 1810. No fighting.[RL30172]
1813–1814:Nuku Hiva Campaign: U.S. forces builta fort on the island ofNuku Hiva in theMarquesas Islands (now part ofFrench Polynesia) to protect threeprize ships which had been captured from the British. The American force subsequently fought with and against native tribes.[RL30172]
1814: Spanish Florida: GeneralAndrew Jackson tookPensacola and drove out the British forces.[RL30172]
1814–1825: Caribbean: Engagements between pirates andU.S. Navy ships or squadrons took place repeatedly especially ashore and offshore aboutCuba,Puerto Rico,Santo Domingo, andYucatán. Three thousand pirate attacks on merchantmen were reported between 1815 and 1823. In 1822,CommodoreJames Biddle employed a squadron of twofrigates, foursloops of war, twobrigs, fourschooners, and two gunboats in theWest Indies.[RL30172]
1815:Algiers: TheSecond Barbary War was declared against the United States by theDey of Algiers of theBarbary states, an act not reciprocated by the United States. Congress did authorize a military expedition by statute. A large fleet under CaptainStephen Decatur attacked Algiers and obtained indemnities.[RL30172]
1815: Tripoli: After securing an agreement from Algiers, CaptainStephen Decatur demonstrated with his squadron atTunis and Tripoli, where he secured indemnities for offenses during the War of 1812.[RL30172]
1816: Spanish Florida: United States forces destroyedNegro Fort, which harboredfugitive slaves making raids into United States territory.[RL30172]
1816–1818: Spanish Florida – FirstSeminole War: TheSeminole Indians, whose area was a haven for escaped slaves and border ruffians, were attacked by troops under General Jackson and GeneralEdmund P. Gaines and pursued into northern Florida. Spanish posts were attacked and occupied, British citizens executed. In 1819 the Floridas wereceded to the United States.[RL30172]
1817:Amelia Island (Spanish territory off Florida): Under orders of PresidentJames Monroe, United States forces landed and expelled a group of smugglers, adventurers, and freebooters. This episode in Florida's history became known as theAmelia Island Affair.[RL30172]
1818:Oregon:USS Ontario, dispatched from Washington, made a landing at the mouth of theColumbia River to assert U.S. claims. Britain had conceded sovereignty but Russia and Spain asserted claims to the area.[RL30172] Subsequently, American and British claims to theOregon Country were resolved with theOregon Treaty of 1846.[RL30172]
1820–1823: Africa: Naval units raided the slave traffic pursuant to the 1819act of Congress.[RL30172][Slave Traffic]
1822:Spanish Cuba: United States naval forces suppressing piracy landed on the northwest coast of Cuba and burned a pirate station.[RL30172]
1823: Cuba: Brief landings in pursuit of pirates occurred April 8 nearEscondido; April 16 nearCayo Blanco; July 11 atSiquapa Bay; July 21 atCape Cruz; and October 23 atCamrioca.[RL30172]
1823:Arikara War.
1824: Cuba: In OctoberUSS Porpoise landed sailors nearMatanzas in pursuit of pirates. This was during the cruise authorized in 1822.[RL30172]
1824:Puerto Rico (Spanish territory): CommodoreDavid Porter with a landing party attacked the town ofFajardo which had sheltered pirates and insulted naval officers. He landed with 200 men in November and forced an apology. Commodore Porter was later court-martialed for overstepping his powers.[RL30172]
1825: Cuba: In March cooperating American and British forces landed atSagua La Grande to capture pirates.[RL30172]
1827:Greece: In October and November, landing partieshunted pirates on the Mediterranean islands ofArgentiere (Kimolos),Myconos, andAndros.[RL30172]
1831:Falkland Islands: CaptainSilas Duncan ofUSS Lexington attacked, looted and burnedPuerto Soledad (then under the control of theUnited Provinces of the Río de la Plata). This was in response to the capture of three American sailing vessels which were detained after ignoring orders to stop depredation of local fishing resources without permission from the United Provinces government.[RL30172]
1832:First Sumatran expedition:Sumatra,Indonesia – February 6 to 9, U.S. forces underCommodoreJohn Downes aboard thefrigateUSS Potomac landed and stormed a fort to punish natives of the town of Quallah Battoo for plundering the Americancargo shipFriendship.[RL30172]
1833:Argentina: October 31 to November 15, A force was sent ashore atBuenos Aires to protect the interests of the United States and other countries during an insurrection.[RL30172]
1835–1836:Peru: December 10, 1835, to January 24, 1836, and August 31 to December 7, 1836, Marines protected American interests in Callao and Lima during an attempted revolution.[RL30172]
1835–1842:Florida Territory: United States Navy supports the Army's efforts at quelling uprisings and attacks on civilians by Seminole Indians. Government's efforts to relocate the Seminoles to west of the Mississippi are hindered by 7 years of war.
1838: TheCaroline affair onNavy Island,Upper Canada: After the failure of theUpper Canada Rebellion of 1837 favoring Canadian democracy and independence from theBritish Empire;William Lyon Mackenzie and his rebels fled to Navy Island where they declared theRepublic of Canada. American sympathizers sent supplies on SSCaroline, which was intercepted by the British and set ablaze, after killing one American. It was falsely reported that dozens of Americans were killed as they were trapped on board, and American forces retaliated by burning a British steamer while it was in U.S. waters.
1838–1839:Second Sumatran expedition:Sumatra,Indonesia – December 24 to January 4, a naval force landed to punish natives of the towns of Quallah Battoo and Muckie (Mukki) for depredations on American shipping.[RL30172]
1840:Fiji Islands: In July, naval forces landed to punish natives for attacking theU.S. Exploring Expedition.[RL30172]
1841:McKean Island (Drummond Island/Taputenea),Gilbert Islands (Kingsmill Group), Pacific Ocean: A naval party landed to avenge the murder of a seaman by the natives.[RL30172]
1841:Samoa: On February 24, a naval party landed and burned towns after the murder of an American seaman onUpolu.[RL30172]
1842: Mexico:CommodoreThomas ap Catesby Jones, in command of a squadron long cruising off California, occupiedMonterey, California, on October 19, believing war had come. He discovered peace, withdrew, and saluted. A similar incident occurred a week later atSan Diego.[RL30172]
1843: China: Sailors and marines fromUSS St. Louis were landed after a clash between Americans and Chinese at thetrading post inCanton.[RL30172]
1843: Africa: From November 29 to December 16, four United States vessels demonstrated and landed various parties (one of 200 marines and sailors) to discourage piracy and the slave trade along theIvory Coast, and to punish attacks by the natives on American seamen and shipping.[RL30172]
1844: Mexico: PresidentJohn Tyler deployed U.S. forces to protectTexas against Mexico, pendingSenate approval of a treaty of annexation (which was later rejected). He defended his action against a Senateresolution of inquiry.[RL30172]
1846–1848:Mexican–American War: On May 13, 1846, the United States recognized the existence of a state of war with Mexico. After the annexation ofTexas in 1845, the United States and Mexico failed to resolve a boundary dispute and President Polk said that it was necessary to deploy forces in Mexico to meet a threatened invasion.
The war ended with theTreaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848. The treaty gave the U.S. undisputed control ofTexas, established theU.S.–Mexican border of theRio Grande, and ceded to the United States the present-day states of California,Nevada,Utah,Arizona,New Mexico,Wyoming, and parts ofColorado. In return, Mexico receivedUS$18,250,000 (equivalent to about $663,000,000 in 2024)[3]—less than half the amount the U.S. had attempted to offer Mexico for the land before the opening of hostilities.[RL30172]
1849:Smyrna (İzmir, Turkey): In July, a naval force gained release of an American seized byAustrian officials.[RL30172]
1851:Ottoman Empire: After a massacre of foreigners (including Americans) atJaffa in January, a demonstration by theMediterranean Squadron was ordered along the Turkish (Levantine) coast.[RL30172]
1851: Johanna Island (modernAnjouan, east of Africa): In August, forces from thesloop-of-warUSS Daleexacted redress for the unlawful imprisonment of the captain of an Americanwhaling brig.[RL30172]
1852–1853: Argentina: February 3 to 12, 1852; September 17, 1852, to April 1853: Marines were landed and maintained in Buenos Aires to protect American interests during a revolution.[RL30172]
1853:Nicaragua: March 11 to 13, U.S. forces landed to protect American lives and interests during political disturbances.[RL30172]
1853–1854:Japan: CommodoreMatthew Perry andhis expedition made a display of force leading to the "opening of Japan".[RL30172]
1853–1854:Ryukyu andBonin Islands (Japan): CommodoreMatthew Perry on three visits before going to Japan and while waiting for a reply from Japan made a naval demonstration, landing marines twice, and secured a coaling concession from the ruler ofNaha onOkinawa; he also demonstrated in the Bonin Islands with the purpose of securing facilities for commerce.[RL30172]
1854:China: April 4 to June 17, American and British ships landed forces to protect American interests in and near Shanghai during Chinese civil strife.[RL30172]
1854:Mosquito Coast (Nicaragua): On July 9–15, naval forces bombarded and burnedSan Juan del Norte (Greytown) to avenge an injured during a riot to theAmerican Minister to Nicaragua.[4]
1855: China: On May 19–21, U.S. forces protected American interests in Shanghai and, from August 3 to 5 fought pirates near Hong Kong.[RL30172]
1855:Fiji expedition: From September 12 to November 4, a naval force landed on theFiji islands to seek reparations for attacks on American residents and seamen.[RL30172]
1855:Uruguay: On November 25–29, United States and European naval forces landed to protect American interests during an attempted revolution inMontevideo.[RL30172]
1856:Panama State,Republic of New Granada: On September 19–22, U.S. forces landed to protect American interests during an insurrection.[RL30172]
1856: China: From October 22 to December 6, U.S. forces landed to protect American interests at Canton during hostilities between the British and the Chinese, and to avenge an assault upon an unarmed boat displaying theUnited States flag.[RL30172]
1857–1858:Utah War: The Utah War was a dispute betweenMormon settlers inUtah Territory and the United States federal government. The Mormons and Washington each sought control over the government of the territory, with the national government victorious. The confrontation between the Mormon militia and the U.S. Army involved some destruction of property, but no actual battles between the contending military forces.
1857: Nicaragua: April to May, November to December. In May, CommanderCharles Henry Davis of the United States Navy, with some marines, received the surrender ofWilliam Walker, self-proclaimedpresident of Nicaragua, who was losing control of the country to forces financed by his former business partner,Cornelius Vanderbilt, and protected his men from the retaliation of native allies who had been fighting Walker. In November and December of the same year United States vesselsUSS Saratoga,USS Wabash, and Fulton opposed another attempt of William Walker on Nicaragua. CommodoreHiram Paulding's act of landing marines and compelling the removal of Walker to the United States, was tacitly disavowed by Secretary of StateLewis Cass, and Paulding was forced into retirement.[RL30172]
1858: Uruguay: From January 2 to 27, forces from two United States warships landed to protect American property during a revolution inMontevideo.[RL30172]
1858:Fiji expedition: From October 6 to 16, a marine expedition withUSS Vandalia killed 14 natives of the Fiji islands and burned 115 huts in retaliation for the murder of two American citizens atWaya Island.[RL30172][Vandalia 1][Vandalia 2]
1858–1859: Ottoman Empire: Secretary of StateLewis Cass requested a display of naval force along theLevant after a massacre of Americans atJaffa and mistreatment elsewhere "to remind the authorities (of the Ottoman Empire) of the power of the United States."[RL30172]
1859:Paraguay expedition: Congress authorized a naval squadron to seek redress for an attack on naval vesselUSS Water Witch in theParaná River during 1855. Apologies were made after a large display of force.[RL30172]
1859: Mexico: Two hundred United States soldiers crossed the Rio Grande in pursuit of the Mexican nationalistJuan Cortina.[RL30172][1859 Mexico]
1859: China: From July 31 to August 2, a naval force landed to protect American interests in Shanghai.[RL30172]
1860:Angola,Portuguese West Africa: On March 1, American residents atKissembo called upon American and British ships to protect lives and property during problems with natives.[RL30172]
1860: Colombia,Bay of Panama: From September 27 to October 8, naval forces landed to protect American interests during a revolution.[RL30172]
1861–1865:American Civil War: A major war between the United States (theUnion) and elevenSouthern states which declared that they had a right tosecession and formed theConfederate States of America.
1863: Japan: July 16,Battle of Shimonoseki Straits:USS Wyoming retaliated against a firing on the American vessel Pembroke at theStraits of Shimonoseki.[RL30172]
1864: Japan: From July 14 to August 3, naval forces protected the United States Minister to Japan when he visitedYedo to negotiate concerning some American claims against Japan, and to make his negotiations easier by impressing the Japanese with American power.[RL30172]
1864: Japan: From September 4 to 14, as part of theShimonoseki campaign, naval forces of the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands compelled Japan and the Prince of Nagato in particular to permit the Straits of Shimonoseki to be used by foreign shipping in accordance with treaties already signed.[RL30172]
1865: Panama: On March 9 and 10, U.S. forces protected the lives and property of American residents during a revolution.[RL30172]
1865–1877: Southern United States –Reconstruction following the American Civil War: The South is divided into five Union occupation districts under theReconstruction Act.
1866: Mexico: To protect American residents, General Sedgwick and 100 men in November obtained surrender ofMatamoros, on the border state ofTamaulipas. After three days he was ordered by U.S. Government to withdraw. His act was repudiated by PresidentAndrew Johnson.[RL30172]
1866: China: From June 20 to July 7, U.S. forces punished an assault on the American consul atNewchwang.[RL30172]
1866–1868:Red Cloud's War: war against theLakota Sioux,Cheyenne, andArapaho Native American groups over control of thePowder River Country and security of theBozeman Trail in Wyoming and Montana. The allied Indian tribes achieved a victory at theFetterman Fight and were able to negotiate favorable peace terms in theTreaty of Fort Laramie (1868), which established theGreat Sioux Reservation.
1867: Nicaragua: Marines occupiedManagua andLeon.
1867: Formosa (island of Taiwan): On June 13, a naval force landed and burned a number of huts to punish the murder of the crew of a wrecked American vessel.
1868: Japan (Osaka, Hiolo,Nagasaki,Yokohama, andNegata): February 4 to 8, April 4 to May 12, June 12 and 13. U.S. forces were landed to protect American interests during a civil war (Boshin War) in Japan.[RL30172]
1868: Uruguay: On February 7–8, and 19–26, U.S. forces protected foreign residents and the customhouse during an insurrection at Montevideo.[RL30172]
1868: Colombia: In April, U.S. forces protected passengers and treasure in transit atAspinwall during the absence of local police or troops on the occasion of the death of PresidentManuel Murillo Toro.[RL30172]
1870:Battle of Boca Teacapan: On June 17 and 18, U.S. forces destroyed the pirate shipForward, which had been run aground about 40 miles up theTeacapan Estuary in Mexico.[RL30172]
1871:Korea:Shinmiyangyo – June 10 to 12, A U.S. naval force attacked and captured five forts to force stalled negotiations on trade agreements and to punish natives for depredations on Americans, particularly for executing the crew of the General Sherman and burning the schooner (which in turn happened because the crew had stolen food and kidnapped a Korean official), and for later firing on other American small boats taking soundings up the Salee River.[RL30172]
1873: Colombia (Bay of Panama): May 7 to 22, September 23 to October 9. U.S. forces protected American interests during hostilities between local groups over control of the government of the State of Panama.[RL30172]
1873–1896: Mexico: United States troops crossed the Mexican border repeatedly in pursuit of cattle thieves and other brigands.[RL30172]
1874:Honolulu Courthouse riot: From February 12 to 20, detachments from American vessels were landed to protect the interests of Americans living in theHawaiian Kingdom during the coronation of KingKalākaua.[RL30172]
1876: Mexico: On May 18, an American force was landed to police the town ofMatamoros, Mexico, temporarily while it was without other government.[RL30172]
1876–1877:Great Sioux War in the Dakota Territory, Wyoming Territory, and Montana Territory: Armed conflict with theLakota Sioux andCheyenne peoples over possession of theBlack Hills, following the discovery of gold there. Despite Native American victories like theBattle of the Little Bighorn, the U.S. government prevailed, forcing the tribes back onto their reservations.
1878:Lincoln County, New Mexico: On July 15–19, during theBattle of Lincoln (part of theLincoln County War) 150cavalry-men arrived fromFort Stanton, under the command of Lieutenant George Smith (later ColonelNathan Dudley) to assist the Murphy-Dolan Faction in attacking theLincoln County Regulators vigilante group. 5 dead, 8–28 wounded.[citation needed]
1882:Egyptian Expedition: July 14 to 18, American forces landed to protect American interests during theAnglo-Egyptian War and looting of the city ofAlexandria by Arabs.[RL30172]
1885: Colombia (Colón): January 18 and 19, U.S. forces were used to guard the valuables in transit over the Panama Railroad, and the safes and vaults of the company during revolutionary activity. In March, April, and May in the cities of Colón and Panama, the forces helped reestablish freedom of transit during revolutionary activity (seeBurning of Colón).[RL30172]
1888: Korea: June, A naval force was sent ashore to protect American residents in Seoul during unsettled political conditions, when an outbreak of the populace was expected.[RL30172]
1888: Haiti: December 20, A display of force persuaded the Haitian Government to give up an American steamer which had been seized on the charge of breach of blockade.[RL30172]
1888–1889:Samoan crisis;Samoan Civil War;Second Samoan Civil War: November 14, 1888, to March 20, 1889, U.S. forces were landed to protect American citizens and the consulate during a native civil war.[RL30172]
1889: Kingdom of Hawaii: July 30 and 31, U.S. forces atHonolulu protected the interests of Americans living in Hawaii during an American led revolution.[RL30172]
1890:Argentina: A naval party landed to protect U.S. consulate and legation in Buenos Aires.[RL30172]
1890:Wounded Knee Massacre;Pine Ridge Indian Reservation,South Dakota: On December 29, soldiers of theUS Army 7th Cavalry killed 178Lakota Sioux following an incident over a disarmament-inspection at a Lakota Sioux encampment nearWounded Knee Creek. 89 other Amerinds were injured, 150 were reported missing; Army casualties were 25 killed, 39 wounded.[citation needed]
1891:Haiti: U.S. forces sought to protect American lives and property onNavassa Island.[RL30172]
1891:Bering Sea Anti-Poaching Operations: July 2 to October 5, naval forces sought to stop seal poaching.[RL30172]
1891:Itata Incident: U.S. and European naval forces intercepted and detained a shipment of arms sent to the Congressionalist forces in theChilean Civil War.
1891: Chile: August 28 to 30, U.S. forces protected the American consulate and the women and children who had taken refuge in it during a revolution inValparaíso.[RL30172]
1892:Homestead Strike: On July 6, striking miners attackedPinkerton National Detective Agency agents attempting to break the strike by bringing non-union workers to the mine. 6,000 Pennsylvania state militiamen were sent to reinstate law and order. 16 dead, 27–47 wounded
1892:Wyoming:Johnson County War April 11 to 13, U.S. Cavalry sent to break up a gun battle at theTA Ranch.
1893:Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom: January 16 to April 1, Marines landed in Hawaii, ostensibly to protect American lives and property, but were actually used as part of a coup to promote aProvisional Government underSanford B. Dole. This action was disavowed by PresidentGrover Cleveland, and the United States apologized in 1993.[RL30172]
1894: Nicaragua: July 6 to August 7, U.S. forces sought to protect American interests atBluefields following a revolution.[RL30172]
1894–1895: China: Marines were stationed atTianjin and penetrated toBeijing for protection purposes during theFirst Sino-Japanese War.[RL30172]
1894–1895: China: A naval vessel was beached and used as a fort at Newchwang for protection of American nationals.[RL30172]
1894–1896: Korea: July 24, 1894, to April 3, 1896, A guard of marines was sent to protect the American legation and American lives and interests atSeoul during and following theFirst Sino-Japanese War.[RL30172]
1895: Colombia: March 8 and 9, U.S. forces protected American interests during an attack on the town ofBocas del Toro by a bandit chieftain.[RL30172]
1896: Nicaragua: May 2 to 4, U.S. forces protected American interests in Corinto during political unrest.[RL30172]
1898: Nicaragua: February 7 and 8, U.S. forces protected American lives and property at San Juan del Sur.[RL30172]
1898:Spanish–American War: On April 25, 1898, the United States declared war with Spain, ostensibly aligned with Cuban rebels. The war followed aCuban insurrection, theCuban War of Independence against Spanish rule and the sinking ofUSS Maine in the harbor at Havana.[RL30172]
1898–1899: Samoa:Second Samoan Civil War, a conflict that reached a head in 1898 when Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States were locked in dispute over who should have control over the Samoan island chain.
1898–1899: China: November 5, 1898, to March 15, 1899, U.S. forces provided a guard for the legation at Beijing and the consulate at Tianjin during contest between the Dowager Empress and her son.[RL30172]
1899: Nicaragua: American and British naval forces were landed to protect national interests at San Juan del Norte, February 22 to March 5, and at Bluefields a few weeks later in connection with the insurrection of Gen. Juan P. Reyes.[RL30172]
1899–1913:Philippine Islands:Philippine–American War, U.S. forces protected American interests following the war with Spain, defeating Filipino revolutionaries seeking immediate national independence.[RL30172] The U.S. government declared the insurgency officially over in 1902, when the Filipino leadership generally accepted American rule. Skirmishes between government troops and armed groups lasted until 1913, and some historians consider these unofficial extensions of the war.[5]
1900: China: From May 24 to September 28,Boxer Rebellion. American troops participated in operations to protect foreign lives during the Boxer uprising, particularly at Beijing. For many years after this experience a permanent legation guard was maintained in Beijing, and was strengthened at times as trouble threatened.[RL30172]
1901: Colombia (State of Panama): From November 20 to December 4. (See:Separation of Panama from Colombia) U.S. forces protected American property on the Isthmus and kept transit lines open during serious revolutionary disturbances.[RL30172]
1902: Colombia: From April 16 to 23, U.S. forces protected American lives and property at Bocas del Toro during a civil war.[RL30172]
1902: Colombia (State ofPanama): From September 17 to November 18, the United States placed armed guards on all trains crossing the Isthmus to keep the railroad line open, and stationed ships on both sides of Panama to prevent the landing of Colombian troops.[RL30172]
1903:Honduras: From March 23 to 30 or 31, U.S. forces protected the American consulate and the steamship wharf atPuerto Cortes during a period of revolutionary activity.[RL30172]
1903: Dominican Republic: From March 30 to April 21, a detachment of marines was landed to protect American interests in the city of Santo Domingo during a revolutionary outbreak.[RL30172]
1903:Syria: From September 7 to 12, U.S. forces protected the American consulate in Beirut when a local Muslim uprising was feared.[RL30172]
1903–1904:Abyssinia (Ethiopia): Twenty-five Marines were sent to Abyssinia to protect the U.S. Consul General while he negotiated a treaty.[RL30172]
1903–1914: Panama: U.S. forces sought to protect American interests and lives during and following the revolution for independence from Colombia over construction of the Isthmian Canal. With brief intermissions, United States Marines were stationed on the Isthmus from November 4, 1903, to January 21, 1914, to guard American interests.[RL30172]
1904: Dominican Republic: From January 2 to February 11, American and British naval forces established an area in which no fighting would be allowed and protected American interests inPuerto Plata,Sosua, andSanto Domingo during revolutionary fighting.[RL30172]
1904: Tangier, Morocco: "We want either Perdicaris alive orRaisuli dead." During thePerdicaris affair, a squadron demonstrated to force release of a kidnapped American. Marines were landed to protect the consul general.[RL30172]
1904: Panama: From November 17 to 24, U.S. forces protected American lives and property atAncon at the time of a threatened insurrection.[RL30172]
1904–1905: Korea: From January 5, 1904, to November 11, 1905, a guard of Marines was sent to protect the American legation in Seoul during theRusso-Japanese War.[RL30172]
1906–1909: Cuba: From September 1906 to January 23, 1909, U.S. forces sought to protect interests and re-establish a government after revolutionary activity.[RL30172]
1907: Honduras: From March 18 to June 8, to protect American interests during a war between Honduras and Nicaragua, troops were stationed in Trujillo, Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Pedro Sula, Laguna and Choloma.[RL30172]
1910: Nicaragua: From May 19 to September 4,Occupation of Nicaragua. U.S. forces protected American interests at Bluefields.[RL30172]
1911: Honduras: On January 26, American naval detachments were landed to protect American lives and interests during a civil war in Honduras.[RL30172]
1911: China: As theTongmenghui-ledXinhai Revolution approached, in October an ensign and 10 men tried to enter Wuchang to rescue missionaries but retired on being warned away, and a small landing force guarded American private property and consulate at Hankou. Marines were deployed in November to guard the cable stations at Shanghai;landing forces were sent for protection in Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Taku and elsewhere.[RL30172]
1912: Honduras: A small force landed to prevent seizure by the government of an American-owned railroad at Puerto Cortes. The forces were withdrawn after the United States disapproved the action.[RL30172]
1912: Panama: Troops, on request of both political parties, supervised elections outside thePanama Canal Zone.[RL30172]
1912:Cuba: From June 5 to August 5, U.S. forces protected American interests inOriente Province and inHavana.[RL30172]
1912: China: August 24–26, on Kentucky Island (now known as Danzi Dao[6]), and August 26–30 at Camp Nicholson. U.S. forces protected Americans and American interests during theXinhai Revolution.[RL30172]
1912: Turkey: From November 18 to December 3, U.S. forces guarded the American legation at Constantinople during theFirst Balkan War[RL30172]
1912–1925: Nicaragua: From August to November 1912, U.S. forces protected American interests during an attempted revolution. A small force, serving as a legation guard and seeking to promote peace and stability, remained until August 5, 1925.[RL30172]
1912–1941:China: The disorders which began with the overthrow of the dynasty during Kuomintang rebellion in 1912, which were redirected by the invasion of China by Japan, led to demonstrations and landing parties for the protection of U.S. interests in China continuously and at many points from 1912 on to 1941. The guard at Beijing and along the route to the sea was maintained until 1941. In 1927, the United States had 5,670 troops ashore in China and 44 naval vessels in its waters. In 1933 the United States had 3,027 armed men ashore. The protective action was generally based on treaties with China concluded from 1858 to 1901.[RL30172]
1913: Mexico: From September 5 to 7, a few marines landed at Ciaris Estero to aid in evacuating American citizens and others from theYaqui Valley, made dangerous for foreigners by theMexican Revolution.[RL30172]
1914: Haiti: January 29 to February 9, February 20 and 21, October 19. Intermittently, U.S. naval forces protected American nationals in a time of rioting and revolution.[RL30172] The specific order from Secretary of the NavyJosephus P. Daniels to the invasion commander, Admiral William Deville Bundy, was to "protect American and foreign" interests.[citation needed]
1914: Dominican Republic: In June and July, during theDominican Civil War (1914), United States naval forces by gunfire stopped the bombardment ofPuerto Plata, and by threat of force maintainedSanto Domingo as a neutral zone.[RL30172]
1914–1917: Mexico:Tampico Affair led toOccupation of Veracruz, Mexico. Undeclared Mexican–American hostilities followed the Tampico Affair and Villa's raids. AlsoPancho Villa Expedition – an abortive military operation conducted by the United States Army against the military forces of Francisco "Pancho" Villa from 1916 to 1917 and included capture ofVeracruz. On March 19, 1915, on orders from President Woodrow Wilson, and with tacit consent byVenustiano Carranza. GeneralJohn J. Pershing led an invasion force of 10,000 men into Mexico to capture Villa.[RL30172]
1915–1934: Haiti: From July 28, 1915, to August 15, 1934,United States occupation of Haiti. U.S. forces maintained order during a period of chronic political instability.[RL30172] During the initial entrance into Haiti, the specific order from the Secretary of the Navy to the invasion commander, Admiral William Deville Bundy, was to "protect American and foreign" interests.[citation needed]
1916: China: American forces landed to quell a riot taking place on American property in Nanjing.[RL30172]
1916–1924: Dominican Republic: From May 1916 to September 1924,Occupation of the Dominican Republic. American naval forces maintained order during a period of chronic and threatened insurrection.[RL30172]
1917: China: American troops were landed atChongqing to protect American lives during a political crisis.[RL30172]
1917–1918:World War I: On April 6, 1917, theUnited States declared war against Germany and on December 7, 1917,against Austria-Hungary. Entrance of the United States into the war was precipitated byGermany's submarine warfare against neutral shipping and theZimmermann Telegram.[RL30172]
1917–1922: Cuba: U.S. forces protected American interests during insurrection and subsequent unsettled conditions. Most of the United States armed forces left Cuba by August 1919, but two companies remained atCamaguey until February 1922.[RL30172]
1918–1919: Mexico: After withdrawal of the Pershing expedition, U.S. troops entered Mexico in pursuit of bandits at least three times in 1918 and six times in 1919. In August 1918, American and Mexican troops fought atNogales,Battle of Ambos Nogales. The incident began when German spies plotted an attack with theMexican Army onNogales, Arizona. The fighting began when a Mexican officer shot and killed a U.S. soldier on American soil. A full-scale battle then ensued, ending with a Mexican surrender.[RL30172]
1918–1920: Panama: U.S. forces were used for police duty according to treaty stipulations, atChiriqui, during election disturbances and subsequent unrest.[RL30172]
1918–1920:Russian SFSR: Marines were landed at and nearVladivostok in June and July to protect the American consulate and other points in the fighting between theRed Army and theCzech Legion which had traversed Siberia from the western front. A joint proclamation of emergency government and neutrality was issued by the American, Japanese, British, French, and Czech commanders in July. In August 7,000 men were landed in Vladivostok and remained until January 1920, as part of an allied occupation force. In September 1918, 5,000 American troops joined the allied intervention force at the city ofArkhangelsk and remained until June 1919. These operations were in response to the Bolshevik revolution in Russia and were partly supported by Czarist or Kerensky elements.[RL30172]For details, see theAmerican Expeditionary Force Siberia and theAmerican Expeditionary Force North Russia.
1919: Dalmatia (Croatia): U.S. forces were landed atTrau at the request of Italian authorities to police order between the Italians andSerbs.[RL30172]
1919: Turkey: Marines fromUSSArizona were landed to guard the U.S. Consulate during the Greek occupation ofConstantinople.[RL30172]
1919: Honduras: From September 8 to 12, a landing force was sent ashore to maintain order in a neutral zone during an attempted revolution.[RL30172]
1920: China: On March 14, a landing force was sent ashore for a few hours to protect lives during a disturbance atJiujiang.[RL30172]
1920: Guatemala: From April 9 to 27, U.S. forces protected the American Legation and other American interests, such as the cable station, during a period of fighting between Unionists and the Government of Guatemala.[RL30172]
1920–1922: Russia (Siberia): From February 16, 1920, to November 19, 1922, a Marine guard was sent to protect the United States radio station and property onRussian Island, Bay of Vladivostok.[RL30172]
1921: Panama and Costa Rica: American naval squadrons demonstrated in April on both sides of the Isthmus to prevent war between the two countries over a boundary dispute.[RL30172]
1922: Turkey: In September and October, a landing force was sent ashore with consent of both Greek and Turkish authorities, to protect American lives and property when theTurkish nationalistsentered İzmir (Smyrna).[RL30172]
1922–1923: China: From April 1922 to November 1923, Marines were landed five times to protect Americans during periods of unrest.[RL30172]
1924: Honduras: From February 28 to March 31, and from September 10 to 15, U.S. forces protected American lives and interests during election hostilities.[RL30172]
1924: China: In September, Marines were landed to protect Americans and other foreigners in Shanghai during Chinese factional hostilities.[RL30172]
1925: China: From January 15 to August 29, fighting of Chinese factions accompanied by riots and demonstrations in Shanghai brought the landing of American forces to protect lives and property in theInternational Settlement.[RL30172]
1925: Honduras: From April 19 to 21, U.S. forces protected foreigners atLa Ceiba during a political upheaval.[RL30172]
1925: Panama: From October 12 to 23, strikes and rent riots led to the landing of about 600 American troops to keep order and protect American interests.[RL30172]
1926–1933: Nicaragua: From May 7 to June 5, 1926, and August 27, 1926, to January 3, 1933, the coup d'état of GeneralEmiliano Chamorro Vargas aroused revolutionary activities leading to the landing of American marines to protect the interests of the United States. United States forces came and went intermittently until January 3, 1933.[RL30172]
1926: China: In August and September, the Nationalist attack onHankou brought the landing of American naval forces to protect American citizens. A small guard was maintained at the consulate general even after September 16, when the rest of the forces were withdrawn. Likewise, when Kuomintang forces capturedJiujiang, naval forces were landed for the protection of foreigners November 4 to 6.[RL30172]
1927: China: In February, fighting at Shanghai caused presence American naval forces and marines to be increased. In March, a naval guard was stationed at American consulate at Nanjing afterNationalist forces captured the city. American and British destroyers later used shell fire to protect Americans and other foreigners. Subsequently, additional forces of Marines and naval forces were stationed in the vicinity of Shanghai and Tianjin.[RL30172]
1932: United States: "Bonus Army" of 17,000 WWI veterans plus 20,000 family cleared from Washington and thenAnacostia flats "Hooverville" by3rd Cavalry and12th Infantry Regiments under Gen.Douglas MacArthur and MajorDwight D Eisenhower, July 28.
1933: Cuba: During a revolution against PresidentGerardo Machado naval forces demonstrated but no landing was made.[RL30172]
1934: China: Marines landed atFuzhou to protect the American Consulate.[RL30172]
1937: China: American forces were landed to protect American interests during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.[RL30172]
1940:Newfoundland,Bermuda,St. Lucia, –Bahamas,Jamaica,Antigua,Trinidad, andBritish Guiana: Troops were sent to guard air and naval bases obtained under lease by negotiation with the United Kingdom. These were sometimes called lend-lease bases but were under thedestroyers-for-bases deal.[RL30172]
1941:Greenland: Greenland was taken under protection of the United States in April.[RL30172]
1941: Netherlands (Dutch Guiana): In November, the President ordered American troops to occupy Dutch Guiana, but by agreement with the Netherlands government in exile, Brazil cooperated to protect aluminum ore supply from the bauxite mines in Suriname.[RL30172]
1941: Iceland:Iceland was taken under the protection of the United States, without consent of its government replacing British troops, for strategic reasons.[RL30172]
1941: Germany: Sometime in the spring, the President ordered the Navy to patrol ship lanes to Europe. By July, U.S. warships were convoying and by September were attacking German submarines. In November, in response to the October 31, 1941, sinking ofUSS Reuben James, the Neutrality Act was partly repealed to protect U.S. military aid to Britain.[RL30172]
1941–1945:World War II: On December 8, 1941, theUnited States declared war against Japan in response to theattack on Pearl Harbor. On December 11,Nazi Germany andFascist Italy declared war against the United States.[7]
1945: China: In October 50,000 U.S. Marines were sent to North China to assist Chinese Nationalist authorities in disarming and repatriating the Japanese in China and in controlling ports, railroads, and airfields. This was in addition to approximately 60,000 U.S. forces remaining in China at the end of World War II.[RL30172]
1945–1949:Occupation of part of Germany.
1945–1955:Occupation of part of Austria.
1945–1952:Occupation of Japan.
1944–1946: Temporary reoccupation of thePhilippines during World War II and in preparation for previously scheduled independence.[citation needed]
1945–1947:U.S. Marines garrisoned in mainland China to oversee the removal of Japanese forces after World War II.[8]
1945–1949: Post-World War II occupation ofSouth Korea; North Koreaninsurgency in Republic of Korea[9]
1946:Trieste, (Italy): President Truman ordered the increase of U.S. troops along the zonal occupation line and the reinforcement of air forces innorthern Italy after theYugoslav People's Army shot down an unarmed U.S. Army transport plane flying overVenezia Giulia.[citation needed] Earlier U.S. naval units had been sent to the scene.[RL30172] Later theFree Territory of Trieste, Zone A.
1948:Jerusalem (British Mandate): A Marine consular guard was sent to Jerusalem to protect the U.S. Consul General.[RL30172]
1948: Berlin:Berlin Airlift After the Soviet Union established a land blockade of theU.S., British, and French sectors of Berlin on June 24, 1948, the United States and its allies airlifted supplies to Berlin until after the blockade was lifted in May 1949.[RL30172]
1948–1949: China: Marines were dispatched toNanjing to protect the American Embassy when the city fell toCommunist troops, and to Shanghai to aid in the protection and evacuation of Americans.[RL30172]
1950–1953:Korean War: The United States responded to the North Korean invasion ofSouth Korea by going to its assistance, pursuant to United Nations Security Council resolutions. U.S. forces deployed in Korea exceeded 300,000 during the last year of the active conflict (1953). Over 36,600 U.S. military were killed in action.[RL30172]
1950–1955: Formosa (Taiwan): In June 1950, at the beginning of the Korean War, President Truman ordered theU.S. Seventh Fleet to preventPeople's Liberation Army attacks upon Formosa andRepublic of China Armed Forces operations against mainland China.[RL30172]
1950: Puerto Rico (United States colonial territory): TheUnited States National Guard usedP-47 Thunderbolt attack aircraft, land-based artillery, mortar fire, and grenades to counterattack Puerto Rican freedom fighters, Nationalists and independence rebels looking to end U.S. colonial rule during theJayuya uprising.
1950: After their defeat in theChinese Civil War, parts of theNationalist army retreated south and crossed the border into Burma.[10]: 65 The United States supported these Nationalist forces because the United States hoped they would harass the People's Republic of China from thesouthwest, thereby diverting Chinese resources from theKorean War.[10]: 65 The Burmese government protested and international pressure increased.[10]: 65 Beginning in 1953, several rounds of withdrawals of the Nationalist forces and their families were carried out.[10]: 65 In1960, joint military action by China and Burma expelled the remaining Nationalist forces from Burma, althoughsome went on to settle in theBurma-Thailand borderlands.[10]: 65–66
1954–1955: China:First Taiwan Strait Crisis, Naval units evacuated U.S. civilians and military personnel from theTachen Islands.[RL30172]
1955–1964: Vietnam: First military advisors sent to Vietnam on February 12, 1955. By 1964, U.S. troop levels had grown to 21,000. On August 7, 1964, U.S. Congress approved Gulf of Tonkin resolution affirming "All necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States. . .to prevent further aggression. . . (and) assist any member or protocol state of the Southeast Asian Collective Defense Treaty (SEATO) requesting assistance. . ."[Vietnam timeline]
1956: Egypt: A marine battalion evacuated U.S. nationals and other persons fromAlexandria during theSuez Crisis.[RL30172]
1958: Lebanon:1958 Lebanon crisis, Marines were landed inLebanon at the invitation of PresidentCamille Chamoun to help protect against threatened insurrection supported from the outside. The President's action was supported by a congressional resolution passed in 1957 that authorized such actions in that area of the world.[RL30172]
1959–1960: The Caribbean: Second Marine Ground Task Force was deployed to protect U.S. nationals following theCuban Revolution.[RL30172]
1955–1975:Vietnam War: U.S. military advisers had been inSouth Vietnam for a decade, and their numbers had been increased as the military position of the Saigon government became weaker. After citing what he falsely termed wereVietnam People's Navy attacks on U.S. destroyers, in what came to be known as theGulf of Tonkin incident, PresidentLyndon B. Johnson asked in August 1964 for a resolution expressing U.S. determination to support "freedom and protect peace in Southeast Asia." Congress responded with theGulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson authorization, without a formal declaration of war by Congress, for the use of conventional military force in Southeast Asia. Following this resolution, and following a communist attack on a U.S. installation in central Vietnam, the United States escalated its participation in the war to a peak of 543,000 military personnel by April 1969.[RL30172]
1962: Thailand: TheThird Marine Expeditionary Unit landed on May 17, 1962, to support that country during the threat of Communist pressure from outside; by July 30, the 5,000 marines had been withdrawn.[RL30172]
1962: Cuba:Cuban Missile Crisis, On October 22, President Kennedy instituted a "quarantine" on the shipment of offensive missiles to Cuba from the Soviet Union. He also warned Soviet Union that the launching of any missile from Cuba against nations in the Western Hemisphere would bring about U.S. nuclear retaliation on the Soviet Union. A negotiated settlement was achieved in a few days.[RL30172]
1962–1975: Laos: From October 1962 until 1975, the United States played an important role in military support of anti-Communist forces in Laos.[RL30172] Meanwhile, the United States was fighting a covert military operation using CIA paramilitary forces, known asThe Secret War.
1964: Congo (Zaire): The United States sent four transport planes to provide airlift for Congolese troops during a rebellion and to transport Belgian paratroopers to rescue foreigners.[RL30172]
1965: Invasion of Dominican Republic:Operation Power Pack, The United States intervened to protect lives and property during a Dominican revolt and sent 20,000 U.S. troops as fears grew that the revolutionary forces were coming increasingly under Communist control.[RL30172] A popular rebellion broke out, promising to reinstallJuan Bosch as the country's elected leader. The revolution was crushed when U.S. Marines landed to uphold the military regime by force.
1967: Israel: TheUSSLiberty incident, whereupon a United States Navy Technical Research Ship was attacked June 8, 1967, by theIsrael Defense Forces, killing 34 and wounding more than 170 U.S. crew members.
1967: Congo (Zaire): The United States sent three military transport aircraft with crews to provide the Congo central government with logistical support during a revolt.[RL30172]
1968: Laos & Cambodia: U.S. starts secret bombing campaign against targets along theHo Chi Minh trail in the sovereign nations ofCambodia andLaos. The bombings last at least two years. (SeeOperation Commando Hunt)
1970:Cambodian campaign: U.S. troops were ordered into Cambodia to clean out Communist sanctuaries from whichViet Cong andNorth Vietnam attacked U.S. and South Vietnamese forces in Vietnam. The object of this attack, which lasted from April 30 to June 30, was to ensure the continuing safe withdrawal of American forces from South Vietnam and to assist the program ofVietnamization.[RL30172]
1972: North Vietnam: Christmas bombingOperation Linebacker II (not mentioned in RL30172, but an operation leading to peace negotiations). The operation was conducted from December 18–29, 1972. It was a bombing of the citiesHanoi andHaiphong byB-52 bombers.
1973:Operation Nickel Grass, astrategic airlift operation conducted by the United States to deliver weapons and supplies to Israel during theYom Kippur War.
1974: Evacuation from Cyprus: United States naval forces evacuated U.S. civilians during theTurkish invasion of Cyprus.[RL30172]
1975: Evacuation from Vietnam:Operation Frequent Wind, On April 3, 1975, PresidentGerald Ford reported U.S. naval vessels, helicopters, and Marines had been sent to assist in evacuation of refugees and US nationals from Vietnam.[RL30172]
1975: Evacuation from Cambodia:Operation Eagle Pull, On April 12, 1975, President Ford reported that he had ordered U.S. military forces to proceed with the planned evacuation of the U.S. citizens from Cambodia.[RL30172]
1975: South Vietnam: On April 30, 1975, President Ford reported that a force of 70 evacuation helicopters and 865 Marines had evacuated about 1,400 U.S. citizens and 5,500 third country nationals and South Vietnamese from landing zones in and around theU.S. Embassy, Saigon andTan Son Nhut Airport.[RL30172]
1975: Cambodia:Mayaguez incident, On May 15, 1975, President Ford reported he had ordered military forces to retakeSS Mayaguez, a merchant vessel which was seized fromKampuchean Revolutionary Army naval patrol boats in international waters and forced to proceed to a nearby island.[RL30172]
1976: Lebanon: On July 22 and 23, 1976, helicopters from five U.S. naval vessels evacuated approximately 250 Americans and Europeans from Lebanon during fighting between Lebanese factions after an overland convoy evacuation had been blocked by hostilities.[RL30172]
1976: Korea: Additional forces were sent to Korea aftertwo American soldiers were killed by North Korean soldiers in theKorean Demilitarized Zone while cutting down a tree.[RL30172]
1978:Zaire (Congo): From May 19 through June, the United States used military transport aircraft to provide logistical support to Belgian and French rescue operations in Zaïre.[RL30172]
1980: Iran:Operation Eagle Claw, on April 26, 1980, President Carter reported the use of six U.S. transport planes and eight helicopters in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue theAmerican hostages in Iran.
1980: U.S. Army and Air Force units arrive in theSinai in September as part of "Operation Bright Star". They are there to train with theEgyptian Armed Forces as part of the Camp David peace accords signed in 1979. Elements of the101st Airborne Division, (1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry) and Air Force MAC (Military Airlift Command) units are in theater for four months & are the first U.S. military forces in the region since World War II.
1981: El Salvador: After a guerrilla offensive against the government of El Salvador, additional U.S. military advisers were sent to El Salvador, bringing the total to approximately 55, to assist in training government forces in counterinsurgency.[RL30172]
1981: Libya:First Gulf of Sidra incident, on August 19, 1981, U.S. planes based on the carrierUSSNimitz shot down two Libyan jets over the Gulf of Sidra after one of the Libyan jets had fired a heat-seeking missile. The United States periodically held freedom of navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra, claimed by Libya as territorial waters but considered international waters by the United States.[RL30172]
1982: Sinai: On March 19, 1982, President Reagan reported the deployment of military personnel and equipment to participate in theMultinational Force and Observers in theSinai Peninsula. Participation had been authorized by the Multinational Force and Observers Resolution, Public Law 97-132.[RL30172]
1982: Lebanon:Multinational Force in Lebanon, on August 21, 1982, President Reagan reported the dispatch of 800 Marines to serve in the multinational force to assist in the withdrawal of members of the Palestine Liberation force from Beirut. The Marines left September 20, 1982.[RL30172]
1982–1983: Lebanon: On September 29, 1982, President Reagan reported the deployment of 1200 marines to serve in a temporary multinational force to facilitate the restoration of Lebanese government sovereignty. On September 29, 1983, Congress passed the Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution (P.L. 98-119) authorizing the continued participation for eighteen months.[RL30172]
1983: Egypt: After a Libyan plane bombed a city in Sudan on March 18, 1983, and Sudan and Egypt appealed for assistance, the United States dispatched anAWACS electronic surveillance plane to Egypt.[RL30172]
1983: Grenada:Operation Urgent Fury, citing the increased threat of Soviet and Cuban influence and noting the development of an international airport following a coup d'état and alignment with the Soviet Union and Cuba, the U.S. invades the island nation of Grenada.[RL30172]
1983–1989: Honduras: In July 1983, the United States undertook a series of exercises in Honduras that some believed might lead to conflict with Nicaragua. On March 25, 1986, unarmed U.S. military helicopters and crewmen ferried Honduran troops to the Nicaraguan border to repel Nicaraguan troops.[RL30172]
1983: Chad: On August 8, 1983, President Reagan reported the deployment of two AWACS electronic surveillance planes and eight F-15 fighter planes and ground logistical support forces to assist Chad against Libyan and rebel forces.[RL30172]
1984: Persian Gulf: On June 5, 1984, Saudi Arabian jet fighter planes, aided by intelligence from a U.S. AWACS electronic surveillance aircraft and fueled by a U.S. KC-10 tanker, shot down two Iranian fighter planes over an area of the Persian Gulf proclaimed as a protected zone for shipping.[RL30172]
1985: Italy: On October 10, 1985, U.S. Navy pilots intercepted an Egyptian airliner and forced it to land in Sicily. The airliner was carrying the hijackers of the Italian cruise shipAchille Lauro who had killed an American citizen during the hijacking.[RL30172]
1986: Libya:Action in the Gulf of Sidra (1986), on March 26, 1986, President Reagan reported on March 24 and 25, U.S. forces, while engaged in freedom of navigation exercises around theGulf of Sidra, had been attacked by Libyan missiles and the United States had responded with missiles.[RL30172]
1986: Libya:Operation El Dorado Canyon, on April 16, 1986, President Reagan reported that U.S. air and naval forces had conducted bombing strikes on terrorist facilities and military installations in the Libyan capitol of Tripoli, claiming that Libyan leader Col.Muammar Gaddafi was responsible for a bomb attack at a German disco that killed two U.S. soldiers.[RL30172]
1987: Persian Gulf:USS Stark was struck on May 17 by two Exocet antiship missiles fired from aDassault Mirage F1 of theIraqi Air Force during the Iran–Iraq War, killing 37 U.S. Navy sailors.
1987: Persian Gulf:Operation Nimble Archer. Attacks on two Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf by United States Navy forces on October 19. The attack was a response to Iran's October 16, 1987, attack on theMVSea Isle City, a reflagged Kuwaiti oil tanker at anchor offKuwait, with a Silkworm missile.
1987–1988: Persian Gulf:Operation Earnest Will. After theIran–Iraq War (the Tanker War phase) resulted in several military incidents in the Persian Gulf, the United States increased U.S. joint military forces operations in the Persian Gulf and adopted a policy of reflagging and escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Persian Gulf to protect them from Iraqi and Iranian attacks. President Reagan reported that U.S. ships had been fired upon or struck mines or taken other military action on September 21 (Iran Ajr), October 8, and October 19, 1987, and April 18 (Operation Praying Mantis), July 3, and July 14, 1988. The United States gradually reduced its forces after a cease-fire between Iran and Iraq on August 20, 1988.[RL30172] It was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II.[11]
1987–1988: Persian Gulf:Operation Prime Chance was aUnited States Special Operations Command operation intended to protect U.S.-flagged oil tankers from Iranian attack during the Iran–Iraq War. The operation took place roughly at the same time as Operation Earnest Will.
1988: Persian Gulf:Operation Praying Mantis was the April 18, 1988, action waged by U.S. naval forces in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf and the subsequent damage to an American warship.
1988: Honduras:Operation Golden Pheasant was an emergency deployment of U.S. troops to Honduras in 1988, as a result of threatening actions by the forces of the (then socialist) Nicaraguans.
1988:USS Vincennes shoot-down ofIran Air Flight 655.
1988: Panama: In mid-March and April 1988, during a period of instability in Panama and as the United States increased pressure on Panamanian head of state GeneralManuel Noriega to resign, the United States sent 1,000 troops to Panama, to "further safeguard the canal, U.S. lives, property and interests in the area." The forces supplemented 10,000 U.S. military personnel already in the Panama Canal Zone.[RL30172]
1989: Libya:Second Gulf of Sidra incident. On January 4, 1989, two U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft based on USSJohn F. Kennedy shot down two Libyan jet fighters over the Mediterranean Sea about 70 miles north of Libya. The U.S. pilots said the Libyan planes had demonstrated hostile intentions.[RL30172]
1989: Panama: On May 11, 1989, in response to General Noriega's disregard of the results of the Panamanian election, President Bush ordered a brigade-sized force of approximately 1,900 troops to augment the estimated 1,000 U.S. forces already in the area.[RL30172]
1989: Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru: Andean Initiative in War on Drugs, On September 15, 1989, President Bush announced that military and law enforcement assistance would be sent to help the Andean nations of Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru combat illicit drug producers and traffickers. By mid-September there were 50–100 U.S. military advisers in Colombia in connection with transport and training in the use of military equipment, plus seven Special Forces teams of 2–12 persons to train troops in the three countries.[RL30172]
1989: Philippines:Operation Classic Resolve, On December 2, 1989, President Bush reported that on December 1, Air Force fighters fromClark Air Base inLuzon had assisted the Aquino government to repela coup attempt. In addition, 100 marines were sent fromU.S. Naval Base Subic Bay to protect theUnited States Embassy in Manila.[RL30172]
1989–1990: Panama:United States invasion of Panama andOperation Just Cause, On December 21, 1989, President Bush reported that he had ordered U.S. military forces to Panama to protect the lives of American citizens and bring General Noriega to justice. By February 13, 1990, all the invasion forces had been withdrawn.[RL30172] Around 200 Panamanian civilians were reported killed. The Panamanian head of state, General Manuel Noriega, was captured and brought to the U.S.
1990: Liberia: On August 6, 1990, President Bush reported that a reinforced rifle company had been sent to provide additional security to the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, and that helicopter teams had evacuated U.S. citizens from Liberia.[RL30172]
1990: Saudi Arabia: On August 9, 1990, President Bush reported that he launchedOperation Desert Shield by ordering the forward deployment of substantial elements of the U.S. armed forces into the Persian Gulf region to help defend Saudi Arabia after the August 2invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. On November 16, 1990, he reported the continued buildup of the forces to ensure an adequate offensive military option.[RL30172]American hostages being held in Iran.[RL30172]
1991: Iraq:Operation Desert Storm, The Allied air to land offensive from January 17, 1991, to April 11, 1991[12]
1991: Iraq:Operation Desert Sabre, The Allied ground offensive from Feb 24 to 27, 1991[12]
1991–1996: Iraq:Operation Provide Comfort, Delivery of humanitarian relief and military protection forKurds fleeing their homes innorthern Iraq during the1991 uprising, by a small Allied ground force based in Turkey which began in April 1991.
1991: Iraq: On May 17, 1991, President Bush stated that the Iraqi repression of the Kurdish people had necessitated a limited introduction of U.S. forces into northern Iraq for emergency relief purposes.[RL30172]
1991: Zaire: On September 25–27, 1991, after widespread looting and rioting broke out inKinshasa, Air Force C-141s transported 100 Belgian troops and equipment into Kinshasa. American planes also carried 300 French troops into theCentral African Republic and hauled evacuated American citizens.[RL30172]
1992: Sierra Leone:Operation Silver Anvil, Following the April 29 coup that overthrew PresidentJoseph Saidu Momoh, aUnited States European Command (USEUCOM)Joint Special Operations Task Force evacuated 438 people (including 42 Third Country nationals) on May 3. TwoAir Mobility Command (AMC)C-141s flew 136 people fromFreetown, Sierra Leone, to theRhein-Main Air Base in Germany and nineC-130 sorties carried another 302 people toDakar, Senegal.[RL30172]
1992–1996: Bosnia and Herzegovina:Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation inBosnia and Herzegovina during theYugoslav Wars, from July 2, 1992, to January 9, 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history.[13]
1992: Kuwait: On August 3, 1992, the United States began a series of military exercises in Kuwait, following Iraqi refusal to recognize a new border drawn up by the United Nations and refusal to cooperate with UN inspection teams.[RL30172]
1992–2003: Iraq:Iraqi no-fly zones conflict, The U.S., United Kingdom, and its Gulf War allies declared and enforced "no-fly zones" over the majority of sovereign Iraqi airspace, prohibiting Iraqi flights in zones in southern Iraq and northern Iraq, conducting aerial reconnaissance, and several specific attacks on Iraqi air-defense systems as part of the UN mandate. Often, Iraqi forces continued throughout a decade by firing on U.S. and British aircraft patrolling no-fly zones.(See alsoOperation Northern Watch,Operation Southern Watch)[RL30172]
1993–1995: Bosnia:Operation Deny Flight, On April 12, 1993, in response to a United Nations Security Council passage ofResolution 816, U.S. and NATO enforced the no-fly zone over the Bosnian airspace, prohibited all unauthorized flights and allowed to "take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with [the no-fly zone restrictions]."
1993: Somalia:Battle of Mogadishu, or the First Battle of Mogadishu, the outcome ofOperation Gothic Serpent. October 3–4, 1993, Task Force Ranger, made up largely of the75th Ranger Regiment andDelta Force entered hostile urban areaMogadishu to seize two high rankingSomali National Army leaders. Two AmericanUH-60 Black Hawks are shot down, 18 Americans are killed in action, with another 73 wounded, and 1 captured. The events of the battle were gathered in the bookBlack Hawk Down, which was later adapted to amovie of the same name.
1993: Macedonia: On July 9, 1993, President Clinton reported the deployment of 350 U.S. soldiers to theRepublic of Macedonia to participate in theUN Protection Force to help maintain stability in the area of former Yugoslavia.[RL30172]
1994: Bosnia:Banja Luka incident, NATO become involved in the first combat situation when NATOU.S. Air ForceF-16 jets shot down four of the six Bosnian SerbJ-21 Jastreb single-seat light attack jets for violating UN-mandatedno-fly zone.
1994–1995: Haiti:Operation Uphold Democracy, U.S. ships had begun embargo against Haiti. Up to 20,000 U.S. military troops were later deployed to Haiti to restore democratically elected Haiti PresidentJean-Bertrand Aristide from a military regime which came into power in 1991 after a major coup.[RL30172]
1994: Macedonia: On April 19, 1994, President Clinton reported that the U.S. contingent in Macedonia had been increased by a reinforced company of 200 personnel.[RL30172]
1994: Kuwait:Operation Vigilant Warrior began in October 1994 when IraqiRepublican Guard Divisions began repositioning within Iraq south near the Kuwaiti border. U.S. forces countered with a movement of forces to the Gulf - the largest since Operation Desert Shield. The operation as officially terminated on December 22, 1994. Also see[14]
1995: Bosnia:Operation Deliberate Force, On August 30, 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraft began a major bombing campaign ofBosnian Serb Army in response to aBosnian Serb mortar attack on a Sarajevo market that killed 37 people on August 28, 1995. This operation lasted until September 20, 1995. The air campaign along with a combined allied ground force of Muslim andCroatian Army against Serb positions led to aDayton Agreement in December 1995 with the signing of warring factions of the war. As part ofOperation Joint Endeavor, U.S. and NATO dispatched the Implementation Force (IFOR) peacekeepers to Bosnia to uphold the Dayton agreement.[RL30172]
1996: Central African Republic,Operation Quick Response: On May 23, 1996, President Clinton reported the deployment of U.S. military personnel toBangui,Central African Republic, to conduct the evacuation from that country of "private U.S. citizens and certain U.S. government employees", and to provide "enhanced security for the American Embassy in Bangui."[RL30172]United States Marine Corps elements of Joint Task Force Assured Response, responding in nearby Liberia, provided security to the embassy and evacuated 448 people, including between 190 and 208 Americans. The last Marines left Bangui on June 22.
1996: Kuwait:Operation Desert Strike, American Air Strikes in the north to protect the Kurdish population against theIraqi Army attacks.
1996: Bosnia:Operation Joint Guard, On December 21, 1996, U.S. and NATO established theSFOR peacekeepers to replace the IFOR in enforcing the peace under the Dayton agreement.
1997: Albania:Operation Silver Wake, On March 13, 1997, U.S. military forces were used to evacuate certain U.S. government employees and private U.S. citizens fromTirana, Albania.[RL30172]
1997: Congo and Gabon: On March 27, 1997, President Clinton reported on March 25, 1997, a standby evacuation force of U.S. military personnel had been deployed to Congo and Gabon to provide enhanced security and to be available for any necessary evacuation operation.[RL30172]
1997: Sierra Leone: On May 29 and 30, 1997, U.S. military personnel were deployed toFreetown,Sierra Leone, to prepare for and undertake the evacuation of certain U.S. government employees and private U.S. citizens.[RL30172]
1997: Cambodia: On July 11, 1997, In an effort to ensure the security of American citizens in Cambodia during a period of domestic conflict there, a Task Force of about 550 U.S. military personnel were deployed atUtapao Air Base in Thailand for possible evacuations.[RL30172]
1998: Iraq:Operation Desert Fox, U.S. and British forces conduct a major four-day bombing campaign from December 16–19, 1998 on Iraqi targets.[RL30172]
1998–1999: Kenya and Tanzania: U.S. military personnel were deployed toNairobi, Kenya, to coordinate the medical and disaster assistance related to thebombing of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.[RL30172]
1998: Afghanistan and Sudan:Operation Infinite Reach. On August 20, President Clinton ordered a cruise missile attack against two suspectedterrorist training camps in Afghanistan and asuspected chemical factory in Sudan.[RL30172]
1998: Liberia: On September 27, 1998, America deployed a stand-by response and evacuation force of 30 U.S. military personnel to increase the security force at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia.[15][RL30172]
1999–2001: East Timor: Limited number of U.S. military forces deployed with the United Nations-mandatedInternational Force for East Timor restore peace to East Timor.[RL30172]
1999: Serbia:Operation Allied Force: U.S. and NATO aircraft began a major bombing ofSerbia and Serb positions inKosovo on March 24, 1999, during theKosovo War due to the refusal by Serbian PresidentSlobodan Milošević to end repression againstethnic Albanians in Kosovo. This operation ended on June 10, 1999, when Milošević agreed to pull his troops out of Kosovo. In response to the situation in Kosovo, NATO dispatched theKFOR peacekeepers to secure the peace underUNSC Resolution 1244.[RL30172]
2000: Sierra Leone: On May 12, 2000, a U.S. Navy patrol craft deployed toSierra Leone to support evacuation operations from that country if needed.[RL30172]
2000: Nigeria: Special Forces troops are sent toNigeria to lead a training mission in the country.[16]
2000: Yemen: On October 12, 2000, afterUSS Cole attack in the port ofAden,Yemen, military personnel were deployed to Aden.[RL30172]
2000: East Timor: On February 25, 2000, a small number of U.S. military personnel were deployed to support theUnited Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).[RL30172]
2001: On April 1, 2001, a mid-air collision between a United States NavyEP-3E ARIES II signals surveillance aircraft and aPeople's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)J-8II interceptor fighter jet resulted in an international dispute between the United States and the People's Republic of China called theHainan Island incident.
2001–2021:War in Afghanistan: TheWar on terror begins withOperation Enduring Freedom. On October 7, 2001, U.S. Armed Forces invade Afghanistan in response to the9/11 attacks and "begin combat action in Afghanistan againstAl Qaeda and theirTaliban supporters."[RL30172]
2002: Yemen: On November 3, 2002, an AmericanMQ-1 Predator fired a Hellfire missile at a car in Yemen killingQaed Salim Sinan al-Harethi, an al-Qaeda leader thought to be responsible forUSSCole bombing.[RL30172]
2002: Philippines:OEF-Philippines, As of January, U.S. "combat-equipped and combat support forces" have been deployed to thePhilippines to train with, assist and advise thePhilippine Armed Forces in enhancing their "counterterrorist capabilities."[RL30172]
2002: Côte d'Ivoire: On September 25, 2002, in response to a rebellion inCôte d'Ivoire, U.S. military personnel went into Côte d'Ivoire to assist in the evacuation of American citizens fromBouaké.[17][RL30172]
2003–2011:War in Iraq:Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 20, 2003, The United States leads a coalition that includes the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland to invade Iraq with the stated goal being "to disarm Iraq in pursuit of peace, stability, and security both in the Gulf region and in the United States."[RL30172]
2003: Liberia:Second Liberian Civil War, On June 9, 2003, President Bush reported that on June 8 he had sent about 35 U.S. Marines intoMonrovia,Liberia, to help secure the U.S. Embassy inNouakchott,Mauritania, and to aid in any necessary evacuation from either Liberia or Mauritania.[RL30172]
2003:Georgia andDjibouti: "US combat equipped and support forces" had been deployed to Georgia and Djibouti to help in enhancing their "counterterrorist capabilities."[18]
2004: Haiti:2004 Haitian coup d'état occurs, The U.S. first sent 55 combat equipped military personnel to augment the U.S. Embassy security forces there and to protect American citizens and property in light. Later 200 additional U.S. combat-equipped, military personnel were sent to prepare the way for a UN Multinational Interim Force,MINUSTAH.[RL30172]
2004:War on terror: U.S. anti-terror related activities were underway inGeorgia,Djibouti,Kenya,Ethiopia,Yemen, andEritrea.[19]
2004–present: The U.S. deploys drone strikes to aid in theWar in North-West Pakistan.[20]
2005–2006: Pakistan: President Bush deploys troops from U.S. Army air cavalry brigades to provide humanitarian relief to far remote villages in theKashmir mountain ranges of Pakistan stricken by a massive earthquake.
2005–2008: Operation WILLING SPIRIT, Colombia - the rescue of American hostages held hostage by the FARC.
See also:Slave rebellion,Tax revolt
This article incorporatespublic domain material from websites or documents of theCongressional Research Service.
As many as 200,000 civilians also died, victims of disease and famine and the cruelties of both sides.
In the fifteen years that followed the defeat of the Spanish in Manila Bay in 1898, more Filipinos were killed by U.S. forces than by the Spanish in 300 years of colonization. Over 1.5 million died out of a total population of 6 million.
Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos died in battle, of disease, or of other war-related causes.
Some seven thousand Americans and twenty thousand Filipinos were killed or wounded in the war, and hundreds of thousands of Filipinos – some estimates are as high as 1 million – died of war-related disease or famine.
The Philippines: 20,000 military dead; 200,000 civilian dead. Some historians, however, put the toll higher – closer to 1 million Filipinos because of the disease and starvation that ensued.
Although a quarter of the million is the "consensual" figure of historians, estimates of Filipino deaths from the war have ranged as high as one million, which would have meant depopulation of the islands by around one-sixth.
US defence secretary Leon Panetta confirmed that US troops have been sent to the Jordan-Syria border as part of contingency plans to stop the violence in Syria spreading south. Officials toldThe New York Times that a 150-strong task force had been sent while contingency plans for setting up a buffer zone in Syria were being discussed.
The U.S. will send two batteries of Patriot missiles and 400 troops to Turkey as part of a NATO force meant to protect Turkish territory from potential Syrian missile attack, the Pentagon said Friday.
"United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed. These aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation," Obama said in his letter to Congress on Sunday.
| |||||||||||||
| Leadership |
| ||||||||||||
| Components |
| ||||||||||||
| Structure | |||||||||||||
| Operations andhistory |
| ||||||||||||
| Personnel |
| ||||||||||||
| Equipment |
| ||||||||||||
