Friday, October 25, 2013

The 1983 War in Grenada


On October 25, 1983 Grenada was invaded by U.S. and Caribbean forces in response to urgent requests from six Caribbean countries to restore order and stop the spread of Marxist revolution in the region.  Since reporters were excluded from the landing operations, pictures such as this came to the U.S. from November 1 to November 5, 1983.  Two airfields and the campus of an American-run medical school were the first major targets.  American units took "minimal" casualties when about 600 Cubans working at the Point Salines airport put up unexpectedly strong resistance.  This picture shows a small part of the large cache of weapons seized by U.S. Troops.  Aso seized, were 12 Soviet-built BTR-60 armored personnel carriers, two were shipped to Andrews Air Force Base for display.  Also on display were twelve 2U-23 antiaircraft guns, 291 sub machine guns, 6,330 rifles and 5.6 million rounds of ammunition, (enough to equip two Cuban battalions for 43 days of combat.)  After a three day trip to Grenada, the congressional study grpup (typo on card - should have been group) concluded the move had been justified - even Tip O'Neil reversed himself!  Returning Army Rangers declared "It's great to feel wanted!"  as America showed a new pride in the military.  November 5, 1983

Colorphoto: Randy Taylor
Mike Roberts Color Productions

This postcard is unused. 

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