DuringWorld War I, theOttoman Empire and theUnited States fought from opposite sides, but they never officially declared war on each other. However, American ships carried weapons for theTriple Entente during theGallipoli campaign.[1]
TheOttoman Empire andits allies were eventually defeated in late 1918 and theArmistice of Mudros was signed. The Entente requested thatIstanbul, theMarmara Region andGreater Armenia be under the control of an American mandate.[2][3] Some Turkish communities even defended the idea of the whole of Anatolia being controlled by the United States.[3]
The United States reportedly helped the Entente during theTurkish War of Independence; American aid included but wasn't limited to logistical support. The United States helped with theOccupation of Constantinople.USSArizona and 3 other American warships provided protection to the Greeks during theGreek landing at Smyrna.[4] On 7 June 1922, Greek warships (including the cruiserGeorgios Averof) and the American destroyersUSSSands,USSMcFarland, andUSSSturtevant were present for the bombardment of theport city of Samsun to help thePontic Greek rebels in the region.[5] Four civilians were killed and 3 others were injured in the bombardment, and the assault also caused large scale damage in the city, destroying dozens of buildings.[6]
Many American warships served in Turkish territorial waters between 1908 and 1923. The most important ones can be listed as;[7]