History
From the archives, 1958: 5,000 Marines sent to Lebanon to back regime, defend Yanks; spearhead on guard to airport
Stars and Stripes
July 15, 2023
On a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean near Beirut, Chaplain (Capt.) James Coleman conducts a religious service for soldiers from the 24th Infantry Division. The troops were taking part in Operation Blue Bat, an intervention aimed at protecting the beleaguered Lebanese government. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
This article first appeared in the Stars and Stripes Europe edition, July 16, 1958. It is republished unedited in its original form.
BEIRUT — A battalion of American Marines swarmed ashore on the beaches of Beirut Tuesday to spearhead America’s first military intervention in the troubled Middle East.
Under the command of Lt. Col. Harry Add [sic; correct spelling Hadd], of St. Paul, Minnesota, a Korean veteran, the marines moved onto the sandy beach grimly but quietly.
While hundreds of Lebanese swarmed to the beaches for one of the biggest shows they have ever seen, the marines systematically moved of the sand and soon fully surrounded Beirut’s airport.
In the sun set in the Mediterranean behind ships of the U.S. Sixth Fleet which brought them, the marines dug foxholes in the sand and settled down for the night.
It’s inspection time for Americans serving in Lebanon during Operation Blue Bat. Over 5,000 Marines took part in the operation, which was launched to back the Lebanese Chamoun government. (Gene Bane/Stars and Stripes)
An American soldier from Army Task Force 201 warily relaxes on a Beirut beach as his fellow troops swim in the Mediterranean during the American intervention in Lebanon. The troops wore full combat dress on the more than two-mile march from the bivouac area to the isolated, mile-long swimming area. (John Wright/Stars and Stripes)
Pfcs. George Belano and Jennings Baumer and Cpl. E. J. Carroll, left to right, man a rooftop guard post in downtown Beirut. The three Marines were part of a large U.S. force sent in to back the beleaguered Lebanese government of president Chamoun seeking another — unconstitutional — presidential term. In the end, diplomatic negotiations allowed Chamoun to finish his legal presidential term and the election of moderate Christian general Fouad Chebab. (Gene Bane/Stars and Stripes)
Lebanese watching the landing were friendly. The marines came on invitation from President Camille Chamoun, who had called for help after 67 days of disturbances in Lebanon.
A task force of four troopships, two destroyers and the command ship Taconic steamed up within two miles of the shore, sat two hours while landing craft were launched, and then spouted out the combat-garbed marines. The landing took two hours.
Throughout the operation Grumman Hellcats, carrying rockets for low-level missions if needed, roared overhead at treetop level from the supporting carrier Essex.
At the airfield the marines immediately took charge of the control tower, hangers and service installations. Other units deployed surrounding the field. The cordon apparently was decided on as a result of a rebel assault last week that for a time threatened to sweep the field from government control.
Six hours later the airport was reopened to commercial traffic.
Army Pfc. Howard L. Fields of Fayetteville, N.C., and E Company, 187th Infantry, rides a mule to deliver copies of Stars and Stripes to scattered Army units near Beirut. The paper was printed at Stripes’ plant in Griesheim, Germany, and flown overnight to Lebanon where some 14,000 U.S. troops were involved in operation Blue Bat, an intervention aimed at protecting the beleaguered Lebanese government. (Gene Bane/Stars and Stripes)
With his parachute closing in on him, Spec. 4 Joseph D. Langham of Headquarters and Headquarters Co., 187th Infantry, hits the ground during an exercise in Lebanon. Langham was one of about 14,000 U.S. soldiers and Marines sent into Lebanon as part of Operation Blue Bat, an effort to shore up the beleaguered government of President Camille Chamoun. (Ted Rohde/Stars and Stripes)
Thanks to typical American ingenuity, soldiers from the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry's supply and transportation platoon were able to enjoy a nice shower during Operation Blue Bat, a mission to back the beleaguered Lebanese government. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
In the city itself, it appeared the government and the U.S. command had no intention of bringing marines close to the Basta Moslem quarter where the rebels have their headquarters.
President Chamoun explained the U.S. intervention Tuesday night in a broadcast to the nation.
He said the Arab League and then the United Nations had failed to provide a solution to Lebanon’s crisis. Therefore, he said, “Lebanon decided to invoke Article 51 of the United Nations charter and summon direct aid.
“The destiny of Lebanon is now being determined during these moments of danger,” he said. “May all work for Lebanon.”
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