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Beirut 1983: The Marine Commander Tells His Story

Ivan Turner

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Published in Peacekeepers At War: Beirut 1983 The Marine Commander Tells His Story

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Peacekeepers at War: Beirut 1983—The Marine Commander Tells His Story

by Timothy J Geraghty

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1566 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	259 pages

In October 1983, a suicide bomber drove a truck bomb into the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen. The attack was part of a series of coordinated bombings that targeted U.S. and French forces in Lebanon.

In this article, the commander of the Marine barracks, Colonel Timothy Geraghty, tells his story of the attack and its aftermath.

The Attack

On the morning of October 23, 1983, Colonel Geraghty was in his office at the Marine barracks when he heard a loud explosion. He immediately ran outside to see what had happened, and was met with a scene of chaos and destruction.

The suicide bomber had driven a truck bomb into the barracks, which was located in a densely populated area of Beirut. The explosion caused the building to collapse, and killed or injured hundreds of people.

Colonel Geraghty immediately began organizing the rescue effort. He ordered his Marines to search through the rubble for survivors, and set up a triage area to treat the wounded.

The rescue effort was hampered by the ongoing fighting in Beirut. The city was torn apart by civil war, and there was heavy fighting between the various factions.

Despite the difficult conditions, Colonel Geraghty and his Marines were able to rescue many of the survivors. However, 241 Marines were killed in the attack, and many more were wounded.

The Aftermath

The Beirut barracks bombing was a devastating blow to the United States. It was the deadliest terrorist attack against American forces since the Vietnam War.

The attack led to a major reassessment of U.S. policy in Lebanon. President Ronald Reagan ordered the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from the country, and the Marines were evacuated on February 7, 1984.

Colonel Geraghty was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions during the Beirut barracks bombing. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1986, and went on to work as a security consultant.

The Beirut barracks bombing is a reminder of the dangers that American forces face when they are deployed overseas. It is also a reminder of the heroism and sacrifice of those who serve our country.

Peacekeepers at War: Beirut 1983—The Marine Commander Tells His Story

by Timothy J Geraghty

4.4 out of 5