I’ve posted this several times before:
“terrorists drove two trucks filled with explosives into buildings housing a multinational peacekeeping force, killing 241 U.S. service members and 58 French military and civilian personnel in Beirut.”
“’The giant, four-story building that I expected to see was so demolished that it seemed as if it had just disappeared. Through the smoke and the air filled with dust, I could see the rubble and, worst of all, the pieces of bodies strewn throughout the area’”
“While the rescue and recovery operations were underway, the peacekeeping force was under sporadic attack from snipers and artillery fire.’
“The Marines’ withdrawal from Lebanon was completed Feb. 26, 1984. The British, French and Italian forces making up the rest of the peacekeeping force withdrew about the same time.”
ROE at the time.
Until October 23, 1983, there were ten guidelines issued for each U.S. marine member of the MNF:
When on post, mobile or foot patrol, keep loaded magazine in weapon, bolt closed, weapon on safe, no round in the chamber.
Do not chamber a round unless instructed to do so by a commissioned officer unless you must act in immediate self-defense where deadly force is authorized.
Keep ammo for crew-served weapons readily available but not loaded in the weapon. Weapons will be on safe at all times.
Call local forces to assist in self-defense effort. Notify headquarters.
Use only minimum degree of force to accomplish any mission.
Stop the use of force when it is no longer needed to accomplish the mission.
If you receive effective hostile fire, direct your fire at the source. If possible, use friendly snipers.
Respect civilian property; do not attack it unless absolutely necessary to protect friendly forces.
Protect innocent civilians from harm.
Respect and protect recognized medical agencies such as Red Cross, Red Crescent, etc.
***The perimeter guards at the U.S. Marine headquarters on the morning of October 23, 1983, were in full compliance with rules 1–3 and were unable to shoot fast enough to disable or stop the bomber***