30th Anniversary of Beirut Bombing: Survivor Shares his Story

Marines.mil ^ | 22 Oct 2013 | By Lance Cpl. Lisette Leyva as told by Brian Kirkpatrick

[LSUfan]

Oct. 23, 2013, marks the 30th anniversary of the Beirut Bombing. 241 American and 58 French service members were killed when two trucks filled with explosives crashed into the two barracks buildings. One of the 300 service members who lived in the building shares the story of the attack, his survival and how he lives with the memories.

[ansel12]

Do you realize that the invasion of Grenada was already started?

Do you realize that the Soviet Union is gone, global nuclear annihilation gone, Europe freed, and that the Middle East would still be a mess?

Quit fantasizing about whatever you are imagining and look at the impossible dream that actually came true.

[central_va]

Do you realize that the invasion of Grenada was already started? Do you realize that the Soviet Union is gone, global nuclear annihilation gone, Europe freed, and that the Middle East would still be a mess? Quit fantasizing about whatever you are imagining and look at the impossible dream that actually came true.

Those things have nothing to do with what happened in Lebanon in '83. The CIA was still a functioning organization back then. There was detail intel on who did this horrible thing. We knew everything, where they were and who they were. The intel said they were expecting huge reprisals from the Expeditionary force. Targets were plotted and attack plans were ready to go. You do not know the whole story.

[ansel12]

If Reagan had unleashed hell we wouldn’t have the muzzie problem we have now.

I doubt that the "whole story" was that Reagan could not only invade Grenada and bring down the Soviet Union globally, but simultaneously cure Islam and end the problems in the Middle East once and for all.

[central_va]

We had plenty of firepower to do the job right there ready to go. There was nothing to do but say go.

[Cementjungle]

wow... can’t believe it’s been 30 years. My best friend in college was killed in that one. RIP Capt. Joe Boccia.

[ansel12]

Plenty of firepower to accomplish what, fix your emotions?

I felt those emotions at the time also, I was even in the military at that time, but I could see that Reagan was looking at a much larger picture.

[central_va]

Plenty of firepower to accomplish what, fix your emotions?

You condescending POS - you're being and idiot and unworthy of further discussions.

[ansel12]

Wow.

[MARTIAL MONK]

The warbirds were in the air and screaming toward Damascus when they were recalled, largely because there was no immediate conclusive proof who was behind the attack.

Reagan's initial response was to go. He was talked out of it.

They dumped their munitions in the Mediterranean.