Order Code RL30172
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces
Abroad, 1798-1999
Updated May 17, 1999
Richard F. Grimmett
Specialist in National Defense
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

ABSTRACT
This report provides a listing of hundreds of instances in which the United States has used its
armed forces abroad in situations of military conflict or potential conflict or for other than
normal peacetime purposes. It does not provide a comprehensive commentary regarding the
events listed. The majority of the instances listed are brief Navy or Marine actions prior to
World War II to protect U.S. citizens or promote U.S. interests. Covert actions, disaster
relief, and routine alliance stationing and training exercises are not included, nor are incidents
of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, or use of U.S. military units in the exploration,
settlement or pacification of the Western part of the United States. This report will be updated
when a significant number of new examples of use of U.S. armed forces abroad occur. For
a discussion of recent and ongoing instances and related congressional issues, see CRS Issue
Brief 81050, War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance.

Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad,
1798-1999
Summary
This report lists hundreds of instances in which the United States has used its
armed forces abroad in situations of military conflict or potential conflict or for other
than normal peacetime purposes. It replaces an earlier list that was compiled in part
from various older lists and is intended primarily to provide a rough survey of past
U.S. military ventures abroad. A comprehensive commentary regarding these events
is not undertaken here.
The instances differ greatly in number of forces, purpose, extent of hostilities,
and legal authorization. Eleven times in its history the U.S. has formally declared war
against foreign nations. These eleven U.S. war declarations encompassed five
separate wars: the war with Great Britain declared in 1812, the war with Mexico
declared in 1846, the War with Spain declared in 1898, the First World War, during
which the U.S. declared war with Germany and with Austria-Hungary during 1917,
World War II, during which the U.S. declared war against Japan, Germany and Italy
in 1941, and against Bulgaria, Hungary and Rumania in 1942.
Some of the instances were extended military engagements that might be
considered undeclared wars. These include the Undeclared Naval War with France
from 1798 to 1800; the First Barbary War from 1801 to 1805; the Second Barbary
War of 1815; the Korean War of 1950-53; the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1973; and
the Persian Gulf War of 1991. With the exception of the Korean War, all of these
conflicts received Congressional authorization in some form short of a formal
declaration of war.
The majority of the instances listed were brief Marine or Navy actions prior to
World War II to protect U.S. citizens or promote U.S. interests. A number were
actions against pirates or bandits. Some were events, such as the stationing of
Marines at an Embassy or legation, which later were considered normal peacetime
practice. Covert actions, disaster relief, and routine alliance stationing and training
exercises are not included here, nor are the Civil and Revolutionary Wars and the
continual use of U.S. military units in the exploration, settlement, and pacification of
the Western part of the United States. In the last twenty years, nearly all of the
instances listed have been itemized by the President in reports or notifications to
Congress related to the 1973 War Powers Resolution.

Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces
Abroad, 1798-1999
The following list reviews hundreds of instances in which the United States has
utilized military forces abroad in situations of military conflict or potential conflict to
protect U.S. citizens or promote U.S. interests. The list does not include covert
actions or numerous instances in which U.S. forces have been stationed abroad since
World War II in occupation forces or for participation in mutual security
organizations, base agreements, or routine military assistance or training operations.
Because of differing judgments over the actions to be included, other lists may include
more or fewer instances.1
The instances vary greatly in size of operation, legal authorization, and
significance. The number of troops involved range from a few sailors or Marines
landed to protect American lives and property to hundreds of thousands in Korea and
Vietnam and millions in World War II. Some actions were of short duration and some
lasted a number of years. In some instances a military officer acted without
authorization; some actions were conducted solely under the President’s powers as
Chief Executive or Commander in Chief; other instances were authorized by Congress
in some fashion; In eleven separate cases (listed in bold-face type) the United States
formally declared war against foreign nations. For most of the instances listed,
however, the status of the action under domestic or international law has not been
addressed. Thus, inclusion in this list does not connote either legality or significance.
1Other lists include Goldwater, Senator Barry. War Without Declaration. A Chronological
List of 199 U.S. Military Hostilities Abroad Without a Declaration of War. 1798-1972.
Congressional Record, V. 119, July 20, 1973: S14174-14183; U.S. Department of State.
Armed Actions Taken by the United States Without a Declaration of War, 1789-1967.
Research Project 806A. Historical Studies Division. Bureau of Public Affairs; Collins, John
M. America’s Small Wars. New York, Brassey’s, 1990. For a discussion of the evolution
of lists of military actions and legal authorization for various actions, see Wormuth, Francis
D. and Edwin B. Firmage, To Chain the Dog of War; the War Power of Congress in History
and Law. Dallas, Southern Methodist University Press, 1986. P. 133-149.

1798-1800— Undeclared Naval War with France. This contest included land
actions, such as that in the Dominican Republic, city of Puerto Plata,
where marines captured a French privateer under the guns of the forts.
Congress authorized military action through a series of statutes.
1801-05—
Tripoli. The First Barbary War included the U.S.S. George
Washington
and Philadelphia affairs and the Eaton expedition, during
which a few marines landed with United States Agent William Eaton
to raise a force against Tripoli in an effort to free the crew of the
Philadelphia. Tripoli declared war but not the United States,
although Congress authorized U.S. military action by statute.
1806—
Mexico (Spanish territory). Capt. Z. M. Pike, with a platoon of
troops, invaded Spanish territory at the headwaters of the Rio Grande
on orders from Gen. James Wilkinson. He was made prisoner without
resistance at a fort he constructed in present day Colorado, taken to
Mexico, and later released after seizure of his papers.
1806-10—
Gulf of Mexico. American gunboats operated from New Orleans
against Spanish and French privateers off the Mississippi Delta, chiefly
under Capt. John Shaw and Master Commandant David Porter.
1810—
West Florida (Spanish territory). Gov. Claiborne of Louisiana, on
orders of the President, occupied with troops territory in dispute east
of Mississippi as far as the Pearl River, later the eastern boundary of
Louisiana. He was authorized to seize as far east as the Perdido
River.
1812—
Amelia Island and other parts of east Florida, then under Spain.
Temporary possession was authorized by President Madison and by
Congress, to prevent occupation by any other power; but possession
was obtained by Gen. George Matthews in so irregular a manner that
his measures were disavowed by the President.
1812-15—
War of 1812. On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war
between the United States and the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland.
Among the issues leading to the war were
British interception of neutral ships and blockades of the United States
during British hostilities with France.
1813—
West Florida (Spanish territory). On authority given by Congress,
General Wilkinson seized Mobile Bay in April with 600 soldiers. A
small Spanish garrison gave way. The U.S. advanced into disputed
territory to the Perdido River, as projected in 1810. No fighting.
1813-14—
Marquesas Islands. U.S. forces built a fort on the island of Nukahiva
to protect three prize ships which had been captured from the British.
1814—
Spanish Florida. Gen. Andrew Jackson took Pensacola and drove out
the British with whom the United States was at war.

1814-25—
Caribbean. Engagements between pirates and American ships or
squadrons took place repeatedly especially ashore and offshore about
Cuba, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, and Yucatan. Three thousand
pirate attacks on merchantmen were reported between 1815 and 1823.
In 1822 Commodore James Biddle employed a squadron of two
frigates, four sloops of war, two brigs, four schooners, and two
gunboats in the West Indies.
1815—
Algiers. The second Barbary War was declared against the United
States by the Dey of Algiers of the Barbary states, an act not
reciprocated by the United States. Congress did authorize a military
expedition by statutes. A large fleet under Decatur attacked Algiers and
obtained indemnities.
1815—
Tripoli. After securing an agreement from Algiers, Decatur
demonstrated with his squadron at Tunis and Tripoli, where he secured
indemnities for offenses during the War of 1812.
1816—
Spanish Florida. United States forces destroyed Nicholls Fort, called
also Negro Fort, which harbored raiders making forays into United
States territory.
1816-18—
Spanish Florida - First Seminole War. The Seminole Indians, whose
area was a haven for escaped slaves and border ruffians, were attacked
by troops under Generals Jackson and Gaines and pursued into
northern Florida. Spanish posts were attacked and occupied, British
citizens executed. In 1819 the Floridas were ceded to the United
States.
1817—
Amelia Island (Spanish territory off Florida). Under orders of
President Monroe, United States forces landed and expelled a group of
smugglers, adventurers, and freebooters.
1818—
Oregon. The U.S.S. Ontario, dispatched from Washington, landed at
the Columbia River and in August took possession of Oregon territory.
Britain had conceded sovereignty but Russia and Spain asserted claims
to the area.
1820-23—
Africa. Naval units raided the slave traffic pursuant to the 1819 act of
Congress.
1822—
Cuba. United States naval forces suppressing piracy landed on the
northwest coast of Cuba and burned a pirate station.
1823—
Cuba. Brief landings in pursuit of pirates occurred April 8 near
Escondido; April 16 near Cayo Blanco; July 11 at Siquapa Bay; July 21
at Cape Cruz; and October 23 at Camrioca.
1824—
Cuba. In October the U.S.S. Porpoise landed bluejackets near
Matanzas in pursuit of pirates. This was during the cruise authorized
in 1822.

1824—
Puerto Rico (Spanish territory). Commodore David Porter with a
landing party attacked the town of Fajardo which had sheltered pirates
and insulted American naval officers. He landed with 200 men in
November and forced an apology. Commodore Porter was later court-
martialed for overstepping his powers.
1825—
Cuba. In March cooperating American and British forces landed at
Sagua La Grande to capture pirates.
1827—
Greece. In October and November landing parties hunted pirates on
the islands of Argenteire, Miconi, and Androse.
1831-32—
Falkland Islands. Captain Duncan of the U.S.S. Lexington
investigated the capture of three American sealing vessels and sought
to protect American interests.
1832—
Sumatra. February 6 to 9. A naval force landed and stormed a fort to
punish natives of the town of Quallah Battoo for plundering the
American ship Friendship.
1833—
Argentina. October 31 to November 15. A force was sent ashore at
Buenos Aires to protect the interests of the United States and other
countries during an insurrection.
1835-36—
Peru. December 10, 1835, to January 24, 1836, and August 31 to
December 7, 1836. Marines protected American interests in Callao and
Lima during an attempted revolution.
1836—
Mexico. General Gaines occupied Nacogdoches (Tex.), disputed
territory, from July to December during the Texan war for
independence, under orders to cross the “imaginary boundary line” if
an Indian outbreak threatened.
1838-39—
Sumatra. December 24, 1838, to January 4, 1839. A naval force
landed to punish natives of the towns of Quallah Battoo and Muckie
(Mukki) for depredations on American shipping.
1840—
Fiji Islands. July. Naval forces landed to punish natives for attacking
American exploring and surveying parties.
1841—
Drummond Island, Kingsmill Group. A naval party landed to avenge
the murder of a seaman by the natives.
1841—
Samoa. February 24. A naval party landed and burned towns after the
murder of an American seaman on Upolu Island.
1842—
Mexico. Commodore T.A.C. Jones, in command of a squadron long
cruising off California, occupied Monterey, Calif., on October 19,
believing war had come. He discovered peace, withdrew, and saluted.
A similar incident occurred a week later at San Diego.

1843—
China. Sailors and marines from the St. Louis were landed after a clash
between Americans and Chinese at the trading post in Canton.
1843—
Africa. November 29 to December 16. Four United States vessels
demonstrated and landed various parties (one of 200 marines and
sailors) to discourage piracy and the slave trade along the Ivory coast,
and to punish attacks by the natives on American seamen and shipping.
1844—
Mexico. President Tyler deployed U.S. forces to protect Texas against
Mexico, pending Senate approval of a treaty of annexation. (Later
rejected.) He defended his action against a Senate resolution of
inquiry.
1846-48—
Mexican War. On May 13, 1846, the United States recognized the
existence of a state of war with Mexico.
After the annexation of
Texas in 1845, the United States and Mexico failed to resolve a
boundary dispute and President Polk said that it was necessary to
deploy forces in Mexico to meet a threatened invasion.
1849—
Smyrna. In July a naval force gained release of an American seized by
Austrian officials.
1851—
Turkey. After a massacre of foreigners (including Americans) at Jaffa
in January, a demonstration by the Mediterranean Squadron was
ordered along the Turkish (Levant) coast.
1851—
Johanns Island (east of Africa). August. Forces from the U.S. sloop
of war Dale exacted redress for the unlawful imprisonment of the
captain of an American whaling brig.
1852-53—
Argentina. February 3 to 12, 1852; September 17, 1852 to April 1853.
Marines were landed and maintained in Buenos Aires to protect
American interests during a revolution.
1853—
Nicaragua. March 11 to 13. U.S. forces landed to protect American
lives and interests during political disturbances.
1853-54—
Japan. Commodore Perry and his navel expedition made a display of
force leading to the “opening of Japan.”
1853-54—
Ryukyu and Bonin Islands. Commodore Perry on three visits before
going to Japan and while waiting for a reply from Japan made a naval
demonstration, landing marines twice, and secured a coaling concession
from the ruler of Naha on Okinawa; he also demonstrated in the Bonin
Islands with the purpose of securing facilities for commerce.
1854—
China. April 4 to June 15 to 17. American and English ships landed
forces to protect American interests in and near Shanghai during
Chinese civil strife.

1854—
Nicaragua. July 9 to 15. Naval forces bombarded and burned San Juan
del Norte (Greytown) to avenge an insult to the American Minister to
Nicaragua.
1855—
China. May 19 to 21. U.S. forces protected American interests in
Shanghai and, from August 3 to 5 fought pirates near Hong Kong.
1855—
Fiji Islands. September 12 to November 4. An American naval force
landed to seek reparations for depredations on American residents and
seamen.
1855—
Uruguay. November 25 to 29. United States and European naval
forces landed to protect American interests during an attempted
revolution in Montevideo.
1856—
Panama, Republic of New Grenada. September 19 to 22. U.S. forces
landed to protect American interests during an insurrection.
1856—
China. October 22 to December 6. U.S. forces landed to protect
American interests at Canton during hostilities between the British and
the Chinese, and to avenge an assault upon an unarmed boat displaying
the United States flag.
1857—
Nicaragua. April to May, November to December. In May
Commander C.H. Davis of the United States Navy, with some marines,
received the surrender of William Walker, who had been attempting to
get control of the country, and protected his men from the retaliation
of native allies who had been fighting Walker. In November and
December of the same year United States vessels Saratoga, Wabash,
and Fulton opposed another attempt of William Walker on Nicaragua.
Commodore Hiram Paulding’s act of landing marines and compelling
the removal of Walker to the United States, was tacitly disavowed by
Secretary of State Lewis Cass, and Paulding was forced into
retirement.
1858—
Uruguay. January 2 to 27. Forces from two United States warships
landed to protect American property during a revolution in
Montevideo.
1858—
Fiji Islands. October 6 to 16. A marine expedition chastised natives
for the murder of two American citizens at Waya.
1858-59—
Turkey. The Secretary of State requested a display of naval force
along the Levant after a massacre of Americans at Jaffa and mistreat-
ment elsewhere “to remind the authorities (of Turkey) of the power of
the United States.”
1859—
Paraguay. Congress authorized a naval squadron to seek redress for
an attack on a naval vessel in the Parana River during 1855. Apologies
were made after a large display of force.

1859—
Mexico. Two hundred United States soldiers crossed the Rio Grande
in pursuit of the Mexican bandit Cortina.
1859—
China. July 31 to August 2. A naval force landed to protect American
interests in Shanghai.
1860—
Angola, Portuguese West Africa. March 1. American residents at
Kissembo called upon American and British ships to protect lives and
property during problems with natives.
1860—
Colombia(Bay of Panama). September 27 to October 8. Naval forces
landed to protect American interests during a revolution.
1863—
Japan. July 16. The U.S.S. Wyoming retaliated against a firing on the
American vessel Pembroke at Shimonoseki.
1864—
Japan. July 14 to August 3. Naval forces protected the United States
Minister to Japan when he visited Yedo to negotiate concerning some
American claims against Japan, and to make his negotiations easier by
impressing the Japanese with American power.
1864—
Japan. September 4 to 14. Naval forces of the United States, Great
Britain, France, and the Netherlands compelled Japan and the Prince of
Nagato in particular to permit the Straits of Shimonoseki to be used by
foreign shipping in accordance with treaties already signed.
1865—
Panama. March 9 and 10. U.S. forces protected the lives and property
of American residents during a revolution.
1866—
China. From June 20 to July 7, U.S. forces punished an assault on the
American consul at Newchwang.
1866—
Mexico. To protect American residents, General Sedgwick and 100
men in November obtained surrender of Matamoras. After 3 days he
was ordered by U.S. Government to withdraw. His act was repudiated
by the President.
1867—
Nicaragua. Marines occupied Managua and Leon.
1867—
Formosa. June 13. A naval force landed and burned a number of huts
to punish the murder of the crew of a wrecked American vessel.
1868—
Japan (Osaka, Hiolo, Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Negata). February
4 to 8, April 4 to May 12, June 12 and 13. U.S. forces were landed to
protect American interests during the civil war in Japan.
1868—
Uruguay. February 7 and 8, 19 to 26. U.S. forces protected foreign
residents and the customhouse during an insurrection at Montevideo.
1868—
Colombia. April. U.S. forces protected passengers and treasure in
transit at Aspinwall during the absence of local police or troops on the
occasion of the death of the President of Colombia.

1870—
Mexico. June 17 and 18. U.S. forces destroyed the pirate ship
Forward, which had been run aground about 40 miles up the Rio
Tecapan.
1870—
Hawaiian Islands. September 21. U.S. forces placed the American flag
at half mast upon the death of Queen Kalama, when the American
consul at Honolulu would not assume responsibility for so doing.
1871—
Korea. June 10 to 12. A U.S. naval force attacked and captured five
forts to punish natives for depredations on Americans, particularly for
murdering the crew of the General Sherman and burning the schooner,
and for later firing on other American small boats taking soundings up
the Salee River.
1873—
Colombia (Bay of Panama). May 7 to 22, September 23 to October 9.
U.S. forces protected American interests during hostilities between
local groups over control of the government of the State of Panama.
1873-96—
Mexico. United States troops crossed the Mexican border repeatedly
in pursuit of cattle thieves and other brigands. There were some
reciprocal pursuits by Mexican troops into border territory. Mexico
protested frequently. Notable cases were at Remolina in May 1873 and
at Las Cuevas in 1875. Washington orders often supported these
excursions. Agreements between Mexico and the United States, the
first in 1882, finally legitimized such raids. They continued
intermittently, with minor disputes, until 1896.
1874—
Hawaiian Islands. February 12 to 20. Detachments from American
vessels were landed to preserve order and protect American lives and
interests during the coronation of a new king.
1876—
Mexico. May 18. An American force was landed to police the town
of Matamoras temporarily while it was without other government.
1882—
Egypt. July 14 to 18. American forces landed to protect American
interests during warfare between British and Egyptians and looting of
the city of Alexandria by Arabs.
1885—
Panama (Colon). January 18 and 19. U.S. forces were used to guard
the valuables in transit over the Panama Railroad, and the safes and
vaults of the company during revolutionary activity. In March, April,
and May in the cities of Colon and Panama, the forces helped
reestablish freedom of transit during revolutionary activity.
1888—
Korea. June. A naval force was sent ashore to protect American
residents in Seoul during unsettled political conditions, when an
outbreak of the populace was expected.
1888—
Haiti. December 20. A display of force persuaded the Haitian
Government to give up an American steamer which had been seized on
the charge of breach of blockade.

1888-89—
Samoa. November 14, 1888, to March 20, 1889. U.S. forces were
landed to protect American citizens and the consulate during a native
civil war.
1889—
Hawaiian Islands. July 30 and 31. U.S. forces protected American
interests at Honolulu during a revolution.
1890—
Argentina. A naval party landed to protect U.S. consulate and legation
in Buenos Aires.
1891—
Haiti. U.S. forces sought to protect American lives and property on
Navassa Island.
1891—
Bering Strait. July 2 to October 5. Naval forces sought to stop seal
poaching.
1891—
Chile. August 28 to 30. U.S. forces protected the American consulate
and the women and children who had taken refuge in it during a
revolution in Valparaiso.
1893—
Hawaii. January 16 to April 1. Marines were landed ostensibly to
protect American lives and property, but many believed actually to
promote a provisional government under Sanford B. Dole. This action
was disavowed by the United States.
1894—
Brazil. January. A display of naval force sought to protect American
commerce and shipping at Rio de Janeiro during a Brazilian civil war.
1894—
Nicaragua. July 6 to August 7. U.S. forces sought to protect
American interests at Bluefields following a revolution.
1894-95—
China. Marines were stationed at Tientsin and penetrated to Peking
for protection purposes during the Sino-Japanese War.
1894-95—
China. A naval vessel was beached and used as a fort at Newchwang
for protection of American nationals.
1894-96—
Korea. July 24, 1894 to April 3, 1896. A guard of marines was sent
to protect the American legation and American lives and interests at
Seoul during and following the Sino-Japanese War.
1895—
Colombia. March 8 to 9. U.S. forces protected American interests
during an attack on the town of Bocas del Toro by a bandit chieftain.
1896—
Nicaragua. May 2 to 4. U.S. forces protected American interests in
Corinto during political unrest.
1898—
Nicaragua. February 7 and 8. U.S. forces protected American lives
and property at San Juan del Sur.
1898—
The Spanish-American War. On April 25, 1898, the United States
declared war with Spain.
The war followed a Cuban insurrection

against Spanish rule and the sinking of the U.S.S. Maine in the harbor
at Havana.
1898-99— China. November 5, 1898 to March 15, 1899. U.S. forces provided
a guard for the legation at Peking and the consulate at Tientsin during
contest between the Dowager Empress and her son.
1899—
Nicaragua. American and British naval forces were landed to protect
national interests at San Juan del Norte, February 22 to March 5, and
at Bluefields a few weeks later in connection with the insurrection of
Gen. Juan P. Reyes.
1899—
Samoa. February-May 15. American and British naval forces were
landed to protect national interests and to take part in a bloody
contention over the succession to the throne.
1899-1901— Philippine Islands. U.S. forces protected American interests following
the war with Spain and conquered the islands by defeating the Filipinos
in their war for independence.
1900—
China. May 24 to September 28. American troops participated in
operations to protect foreign lives during the Boxer rising, particularly
at Peking. For many years after this experience a permanent legation
guard was maintained in Peking, and was strengthened at times as
trouble threatened.
1901—
Colombia (State of Panama). November 20 to December 4. U.S.
forces protected American property on the Isthmus and kept transit
lines open during serious revolutionary disturbances.
1902—
Colombia - April 16 to 23. U.S. forces protected American lives and
property at Bocas del Toro during a civil war.
1902—
Colombia (State of Panama). September 17 to November 18. The
United States placed armed guards on all trains crossing the Isthmus to
keep the railroad line open, and stationed ships on both sides of
Panama to prevent the landing of Colombian troops.
1903—
Honduras. March 23 to 30 or 31. U.S. forces protected the American
consulate and the steamship wharf at Puerto Cortez during a period of
revolutionary activity.
1903—
Dominican Republic. March 30 to April 21. A detachment of marines
was landed to protect American interests in the city of Santo Domingo
during a revolutionary outbreak.
1903—
Syria. September 7 to 12. U.S. forces protected the American
consulate in Beirut when a local Moslem uprising was feared.
1903-04—
Abyssinia. Twenty-five marines were sent to Abyssinia to protect the
U.S. Consul General while he negotiated a treaty.

1903-14—
Panama. U.S. forces sought to protect American interests and lives
during and following the revolution for independence from Colombia
over construction of the Isthmian Canal. With brief intermissions,
United States Marines were stationed on the Isthmus from November
4, 1903, to January 21, 1914, to guard American interests.
1904—
Dominican Republic. January 2 to February 11. American and British
naval forces established an area in which no fighting would be allowed
and protected American interests in Puerto Plata and Sosua and Santo
Domingo City during revolutionary fighting.
1904—
Tangier, Morocco. “We want either Perdicaris alive or Raisula dead.”
A squadron demonstrated to force release of a kidnapped American.
Marines were landed to protect the consul general.
1904—
Panama. November 17 to 24. U.S. forces protected American lives
and property at Ancon at the time of a threatened insurrection.
1904-05—
Korea. January 5, 1904, to November 11, 1905. A guard of Marines
was sent to protect the American legation in Seoul during the Russo-
Japanese War.
1906-09—
Cuba. September 1906 to January 23, 1909. U.S. forces sought to
restore order, protect foreigners, and establish a stable government
after serious revolutionary activity.
1907—
Honduras. March 18 to June 8. To protect American interests during
a war between Honduras and Nicaragua, troops were stationed in
Trujillo, Ceiba, Puerto Cortez, San Pedro, Laguna and Choloma.
1910—
Nicaragua. May 19 to September 4. U.S. forces protected American
interests at Bluefields.
1911—
Honduras. January 26. American naval detachments were landed to
protect American lives and interests during a civil war in Honduras.
1911—
China. As the nationalist revolution approached, in October an ensign
and 10 men tried to enter Wuchang to rescue missionaries but retired
on being warned away, and a small landing force guarded American
private property and consulate at Hankow. Marines were deployed in
November to guard the cable stations at Shanghai; landing forces were
sent for protection in Nanking, Chinkiang, Taku and elsewhere.
1912—
Honduras. A small force landed to prevent seizure by the government
of an American-owned railroad at Puerto Cortez. The forces were
withdrawn after the United States disapproved the action.
1912—
Panama. Troops, on request of both political parties, supervised
elections outside the Canal Zone.
1912—
Cuba. June 5 to August 5. U.S. forces protected American interests
on the Province of Oriente, and in Havana.

1912—
China. August 24 to 26, on Kentucky Island, and August 26 to 30 at
Camp Nicholson. U.S. forces protected Americans and American
interests during revolutionary activity.
1912—
Turkey. November 18 to December 3. U.S. forces guarded the
American legation at Constantinople during a Balkan War.
1912-25—
Nicaragua. August to November 1912. U.S. forces protected
American interests during an attempted revolution. A small force,
serving as a legation guard and seeking to promote peace and stability,
remained until August 5, 1925.
1912-41—
China. The disorders which began with the overthrow of the dynasty
during Kuomintang rebellion in 1912, which were redirected by the
invasion of China by Japan, led to demonstrations and landing parties
for the protection of U.S. interests in China continuously and at many
points from 1912 on to 1941. The guard at Peking and along the route
to the sea was maintained until 1941. In 1927, the United States had
5,670 troops ashore in China and 44 naval vessels in its waters. In
1933 the United States had 3,027 armed men ashore. The protective
action was generally based on treaties with China concluded from 1858
to 1901.
1913—
Mexico. September 5 to 7. A few marines landed at Ciaris Estero to
aid in evacuating American citizens and others from the Yaqui Valley,
made dangerous for foreigners by civil strife.
1914—
Haiti. January 29 to February 9, February 20 to 21, October 19.
Intermittently U.S. naval forces protected American nationals in a time
of rioting and revolution.
1914—
Dominican Republic. June and July. During a revolutionary
movement, United States naval forces by gunfire stopped the
bombardment of Puerto Plata, and by threat of force maintained Santo
Domingo City as a neutral zone.
1914-17—
Mexico. Undeclared Mexican-American hostilities followed the
Dolphin affair and Villa’s raids and included capture of Vera Cruz and
later Pershing’s expedition into northern Mexico.
1915-34—
Haiti. July 28, 1915, to August 15, 1934. U.S. forces maintained
order during a period of chronic political instability.
1916—
China. American forces landed to quell a riot taking place on
American property in Nanking.
1916-24—
Dominican Republic. May 1916 to September 1924. American naval
forces maintained order during a period of chronic and threatened
insurrection.
1917—
China. American troops were landed at Chungking to protect
American lives during a political crisis.

1917-18—
World War I. On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war
with Germany and on December 7, 1917, with Austria-Hungary.
Entrance of the United States into the war was precipitated by
Germany’s submarine warfare against neutral shipping.
1917-22—
Cuba. U.S. forces protected American interests during an insurrection
and subsequent unsettled conditions. Most of the United States armed
forces left Cuba by August 1919, but two companies remained at
Camaguey until February 1922.
1918-19—
Mexico. After withdrawal of the Pershing expedition, U.S. troops
entered Mexico in pursuit of bandits at least three times in 1918 and six
times in 1919. In August 1918 American and Mexican troops fought
at Nogales.
1918-20—
Panama. U.S. forces were used for police duty according to treaty
stipulations, at Chiriqui, during election disturbances and subsequent
unrest.
1918-20—
Soviet Russia. Marines were landed at and near Vladivostok in June
and July to protect the American consulate and other points in the
fighting between the Bolshevik troops and the Czech Army which had
traversed Siberia from the western front. A joint proclamation of
emergency government and neutrality was issued by the American,
Japanese, British, French, and Czech commanders in July. In August
7,000 men were landed in Vladivostok and remained until January
1920, as part of an allied occupation force. In September 1918, 5,000
American troops joined the allied intervention force at Archangel and
remained until June 1919. These operations were in response to the
Bolshevik revolution in Russia and were partly supported by Czarist or
Kerensky elements.
1919—
Dalmatia. U.S. forces were landed at Trau at the request of Italian
authorities to police order between the Italians and Serbs.
1919—
Turkey. Marines from the U.S.S. Arizona were landed to guard the
U.S. Consulate during the Greek occupation of Constantinople.
1919—
Honduras. September 8 to 12. A landing force was sent ashore to
maintain order in a neutral zone during an attempted revolution.
1920—
China. March 14. A landing force was sent ashore for a few hours to
protect lives during a disturbance at Kiukiang.
1920—
Guatemala. April 9 to 27. U.S. forces protected the American
Legation and other American interests, such as the cable station, during
a period of fighting between Unionists and the Government of
Guatemala.
1920-22—
Russia (Siberia). February 16, 1920, to November 19, 1922. A
Marine guard was sent to protect the United States radio station and
property on Russian Island, Bay of Vladivostok.

1921—
Panama - Costa Rica. American naval squadrons demonstrated in
April on both sides of the Isthmus to prevent war between the two
countries over a boundary dispute.
1922—
Turkey. September and October. A landing force was sent ashore with
consent of both Greek and Turkish authorities, to protect American
lives and property when the Turkish Nationalists entered Smyrna.
1922-23—
China. Between April 1922 and November 1923 marines were landed
five times to protect Americans during periods of unrest.
1924—
Honduras. February 28 to March 31, September 10 to 15. U.S. forces
protected American lives and interests during election hostilities.
1924—
China. September. Marines were landed to protect Americans and
other foreigners in Shanghai during Chinese factional hostilities.
1925—
China. January 15 to August 29. Fighting of Chinese factions
accompanied by riots and demonstrations in Shanghai brought the
landing of American forces to protect lives and property in the
International Settlement.
1925—
Honduras. April 19 to 21. U.S. forces protected foreigners at La
Ceiba during a political upheaval.
1925—
Panama. October 12 to 23. Strikes and rent riots led to the landing
of about 600 American troops to keep order and protect American
interests.
1926-33—
Nicaragua. May 7 to June 5, 1926; August 27, 1926 to January 3,
1933. The coup d’etat of General Chamorro aroused revolutionary
activities leading to the landing of American marines to protect the
interests of the United States. United States forces came and went
intermittently until January 3, 1933.
1926—
China. August and September. The Nationalist attack on Hankow
brought the landing of American naval forces to protect American
citizens. A small guard was maintained at the consulate general even
after September 16, when the rest of the forces were withdrawn.
Likewise, when Nationalist forces captured Kiukiang, naval forces
were landed for the protection of foreigners November 4 to 6.
1927—
China. February. Fighting at Shanghai caused American naval forces
and marines to be increased. In March a naval guard was stationed at
the American consulate at Nanking after Nationalist forces captured the
city. American and British destroyers later used shell fire to protect
Americans and other foreigners. Subsequently additional forces of
marines and naval vessels were stationed in the vicinity of Shanghai and
Tientsin.
1932—
China. American forces were landed to protect American interests
during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.

1933—
Cuba. During a revolution against President Gerardo Machado naval
forces demonstrated but no landing was made.
1934—
China. Marines landed at Foochow to protect the American
Consulate.
1940—
Newfoundland, Bermuda, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua,
Trinidad, and British Guiana.
Troops were sent to guard air and naval
bases obtained by negotiation with Great Britain. These were
sometimes called lend-lease bases.
1941—
Greenland. Greenland was taken under protection of the United States
in April.
1941—
Netherlands (Dutch Guiana). In November the President ordered
American troops to occupy Dutch Guiana, but by agreement with the
Netherlands government in exile, Brazil cooperated to protect
aluminum ore supply from the bauxite mines in Surinam.
1941—
Iceland. Iceland was taken under the protection of the United States,
with consent of its government, for strategic reasons.
1941—
Germany. Sometime in the spring the President ordered the Navy to
patrol ship lanes to Europe. By July U.S. warships were convoying
and by September were attacking German submarines. In November,
the Neutrality Act was partly repealed to protect U.S. military aid to
Britain.
1941-45—
World War II. On December 8, 1941, the United States declared
war with Japan, on December 11 with Germany and Italy, and on
June 5, 1942, with Bulgaria, Hungary and Rumania.
The United
States declared war against Japan after the surprise bombing of Pearl
Harbor, and against Germany and Italy after those nations, under the
dictators Hitler and Mussolini, declared war against the United States.
The U.S. declared war against Bulgaria, Hungary and Rumania in
response to the declarations of war by those nations against the United
States.
1945—
China. In October 50,000 U.S. Marines were sent to North China to
assist Chinese Nationalist authorities in disarming and repatriating the
Japanese in China and in controlling ports, railroads, and airfields.
This was in addition to approximately 60,000 U.S. forces remaining in
China at the end of World War II.
1946—
Trieste. President Truman ordered the augmentation of U.S. troops
along the zonal occupation line and the reinforcement of air forces in
northern Italy after Yugoslav forces shot down an unarmed U.S. Army
transport plane flying over Venezia Giulia. Earlier U.S. naval units had
been dispatched to the scene.
1948—
Palestine. A marine consular guard was sent to Jerusalem to protect
the U.S. Consul General.

1948—
Berlin. After the Soviet Union established a land blockade of the U.S.,
British, and French sectors of Berlin on June 24, 1948, the United
States and its allies airlifted supplies to Berlin until after the blockade
was lifted in May 1949.
1948-49—
China. Marines were dispatched to Nanking to protect the American
Embassy when the city fell to Communist troops, and to Shanghai to
aid in the protection and evacuation of Americans.
1950-53—
Korean War. The United States responded to North Korean invasion
of South Korea by going to its assistance, pursuant to United Nations
Security Council resolutions. U.S. forces deployed in Korea exceeded
300,000 during the last year of the conflict. Over 36,600 U.S. military
were killed in action.
1950-55—
Formosa (Taiwan). In June 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War,
President Truman ordered the U.S. Seventh Fleet to prevent Chinese
Communist attacks upon Formosa and Chinese Nationalist operations
against mainland China.
1954-55—
China. Naval units evacuated U.S. civilians and military personnel
from the Tachen Islands.
1956—
Egypt. A marine battalion evacuated U.S. nationals and other persons
from Alexandria during the Suez crisis.
1958—
Lebanon. Marines were landed in Lebanon at the invitation of its
government to help protect against threatened insurrection supported
from the outside. The President’s action was supported by a
Congressional resolution passed in 1957 that authorized such actions
in that area of the world.
1959-60—
The Caribbean. 2d Marine Ground Task Force was deployed to
protect U.S. nationals during the Cuban crisis.
1962—
Thailand. The 3d Marine Expeditionary Unit landed on May 17, 1962
to support that country during the threat of Communist pressure from
outside; by July 30 the 5,000 marines had been withdrawn.
1962—
Cuba. On October 22, President Kennedy instituted a “quarantine” on
the shipment of offensive missiles to Cuba from the Soviet Union. He
also warned the Soviet Union that the launching of any missile from
Cuba against any nation in the Western Hemisphere would bring about
U.S. nuclear retaliation on the Soviet Union. A negotiated settlement
was achieved in a few days.
1962-75—
Laos. From October 1962 until 1975, the United States played an
important role in military support of anti-Communist forces in Laos.
1964—
Congo. The United States sent four transport planes to provide airlift
for Congolese troops during a rebellion and to transport Belgian para-
troopers to rescue foreigners.

1964-73—
Vietnam War. U.S. military advisers had been in South Vietnam for a
decade, and their numbers had been increased as the military position
of the Saigon government became weaker. After citing what he termed
were attacks on U.S. destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf, President Johnson
asked in August 1964 for a resolution expressing U.S. determination
to support freedom and protect peace in Southeast Asia. Congress
responded with the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, expressing support for “all
necessary measures” the President might take to repel armed attack
against U.S. forces and prevent further aggression. Following this
resolution, and following a Communist attack on a U.S. installation in
central Vietnam, the United States escalated its participation in the war
to a peak of 543,000 by April 1969.
1965—
Dominican Republic. The United States intervened to protect lives
and property during a Dominican revolt and sent more troops as fears
grew that the revolutionary forces were coming increasingly under
Communist control.
1967—
Congo. The United States sent three military transport aircraft with
crews to provide the Congo central government with logistical support
during a revolt.
1970—
Cambodia. U.S. troops were ordered into Cambodia to clean out
Communist sanctuaries from which Viet Cong and North Vietnamese
attacked U.S. and South Vietnamese forces in Vietnam. The object of
this attack, which lasted from April 30 to June 30, was to ensure the
continuing safe withdrawal of American forces from South Vietnam
and to assist the program of Vietnamization.
1974—
Evacuation from Cyprus. United States naval forces evacuated U.S.
civilians during hostilities between Turkish and Greek Cypriot forces.
1975—
Evacuation from Vietnam. On April 3, 1975, President Ford reported
U.S. naval vessels, helicopters, and marines had been sent to assist in
evacuation of refugees and U.S. nationals from Vietnam.2
1975—
Evacuation from Cambodia. On April 12, 1975, President Ford
reported that he had ordered U.S. military forces to proceed with the
planned evacuation of U.S. citizens from Cambodia.
1975—
South Vietnam. On April 30, 1975, President Ford reported that a
force of 70 evacuation helicopters and 865 marines had evacuated
about 1,400 U.S. citizens and 5,500 third country nationals and South
Vietnamese from landing zones near the U.S. Embassy in Saigon and
the Tan Son Nhut Airfield.
2This and subsequent mentions of Presidential reports or notifications refer to reports the
President has submitted to Congress that could be considered a result of the War Powers
Resolution (Public Law 91-148, November 7, 1973). For a discussion of the War Powers
Resolution and various types of reports required under it, see The War Powers Resolution:
Presidential Compliance, CRS Issue Brief IB81050.

1975—
Mayaguez incident. On May 15, 1975, President Ford reported he had
ordered military forces to retake the SS Mayaguez, a merchant vessel
en route from Hong Kong to Thailand with a U.S. citizen crew which
was seized by Cambodian naval patrol boats in international waters and
forced to proceed to a nearby island.
1976—
Lebanon. On July 22 and 23, 1974, helicopters from five U.S. naval
vessels evacuated approximately 250 Americans and Europeans from
Lebanon during fighting between Lebanese factions after an overland
convoy evacuation had been blocked by hostilities.
1976—
Korea. Additional forces were sent to Korea after two American
soldiers were killed by North Korean soliders in the demilitarized zone
between North and South Korea while cutting down a tree.
1978—
Zaire. From May 19 through June 1978, the United States utilized
military transport aircraft to provide logistical support to Belgian and
French rescue operations in Zaire.
1980—
Iran. On April 26, 1980, President Carter reported the use of six U.S.
transport planes and eight helicopters in an unsuccessful attempt to
rescue American hostages being held in Iran.
1981—
El Salvador. After a guerilla offensive against the government of El
Salvador, additional U.S. military advisers were sent to El Salvador,
bringing the total to approximately 55, to assist in training government
forces in counterinsurgency.
1981—
Libya. On August 19, 1981, U.S. planes based on the carrier U.S.S.
Nimitz
shot down two Libyan jets over the Gulf of Sidra after one of
the Libyan jets had fired a heat-seeking missile. The United States
periodically held freedom of navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra,
claimed by Libya as territorial waters but considered international
waters by the United States.
1982—
Sinai. On March 19, 1982, President Reagan reported the deployment
of military personnel and equipment to participate in the Multinational
Force and Observers in the Sinai. Participation had been authorized by
the Multinational Force and Observers Resolution, Public Law 97-132.
1982—
Lebanon. On August 21, 1982, President Reagan reported the
dispatch of 80 marines to serve in the multinational force to assist in
the withdrawal of members of the Palestine Liberation force from
Beirut. The Marines left Sept. 20, 1982.
1982—
Lebanon. On September 29, 1982, President Reagan reported the
deployment of 1200 marines to serve in a temporary multinational force
to facilitate the restoration of Lebanese government sovereignty. On
Sept. 29, 1983, Congress passed the Multinational Force in Lebanon
Resolution (P.L. 98-119) authorizing the continued participation for
eighteen months.

1983—
Egypt. After a Libyan plane bombed a city in Sudan on March 18,
1983, and Sudan and Egypt appealed for assistance, the United States
dispatched an AWACS electronic surveillance plane to Egypt.
1983-89—
Honduras. In July 1983 the United States undertook a series of
exercises in Honduras that some believed might lead to conflict with
Nicaragua. On March 25, 1986, unarmed U.S. military helicopters and
crewmen ferried Honduran troops to the Nicaraguan border to repel
Nicaraguan troops.
1983—
Chad. On August 8, 1983, President Reagan reported the deployment
of two AWACS electronic surveillance planes and eight F-15 fighter
planes and ground logistical support forces to assist Chad against
Libyan and rebel forces.
1983—
Grenada. On October 25, 1983, President Reagan reported a landing
on Grenada by Marines and Army airborne troops to protect lives and
assist in the restoration of law and order and at the request of five
members of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States.
1984—
Persian Gulf. On June 5, 1984, Saudi Arabian jet fighter planes, aided
by intelligence from a U.S. AWACS electronic surveillance aircraft and
fueled by a U.S. KC-10 tanker, shot down two Iranian fighter planes
over an area of the Persian Gulf proclaimed as a protected zone for
shipping.
1985—
Italy. On October 10, 1985, U.S. Navy pilots intercepted an Egyptian
airliner and forced it to land in Sicily. The airliner was carrying the
hijackers of the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro who had killed an
American citizen during the hijacking.
1986—
Libya. On March 26, 1986, President Reagan reported to Congress
that, on March 24 and 25, U.S. forces, while engaged in freedom of
navigation exercises around the Gulf of Sidra, had been attacked by
Libyan missiles and the United States had responded with missiles.
1986—
Libya. On April 16, 1986, President Reagan reported that U.S. air and
naval forces had conducted bombing strikes on terrorist facilities and
military installations in Libya.
1986—
Bolivia. U.S. Army personnel and aircraft assisted Bolivia in anti-drug
operations.
1987-88—
Persian Gulf. After the Iran-Iraq War resulted in several military
incidents in the Persian Gulf, the United States increased U.S. joint
military forces operations in the Persian Gulf and adopted a policy of
reflagging and escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Gulf.
President Reagan reported that U.S. Navy ships had been fired upon or
struck mines or taken other military action on September 23, October
10, and October 20, 1987 and April 19, July 4, and July 14, 1988. The
United States gradually reduced its forces after a cease-fire between
Iran and Iraq on August 20, 1988.

1988—
Panama. In mid-March and April 1988, during a period of instability
in Panama and as pressure grew for Panamanian military leader General
Manuel Noriega to resign, the United States sent 1,000 troops to
Panama, to “further safeguard the canal, U.S. lives, property and
interests in the area.” The forces supplemented 10,000 U.S. military
personnel already in Panama.
1989—
Libya. On January 4, 1989, two U.S. Navy F-14 aircraft based on the
U.S.S. John F. Kennedy shot down two Libyan jet fighters over the
Mediterranean Sea about 70 miles north of Libya. The U.S. pilots said
the Libyan planes had demonstrated hostile intentions.
1989—
Panama. On May 11, 1989, in response to General Noriega’s
disregard of the results of the Panamanian election, President Bush
ordered a brigade-sized force of approximately 1,900 troops to
augment the estimated 11,000 U.S. forces already in the area.
1989—
Andean Initiative in War on Drugs. On September 15, 1989, President
Bush announced that military and law enforcement assistance would be
sent to help the Andean nations of Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru combat
illicit drug producers and traffickers. By mid-September there were
50-100 U.S. military advisers in Colombia in connection with transport
and training in the use of military equipment, plus seven Special Forces
teams of 2-12 persons to train troops in the three countries.
1989—
Philippines. On December 2, 1989, President Bush reported that on
December 1 U.S. fighter planes from Clark Air Base in the Philippines
had assisted the Aquino government to repel a coup attempt. In
addition, 100 marines were sent from the U.S. Navy base at Subic Bay
to protect the U.S. Embassy in Manila.
1989-90—
Panama. On December 21, 1989, President Bush reported that he had
ordered U.S. military forces to Panama to protect the lives of American
citizens and bring General Noriega to justice. By February 13, 1990,
all the invasion forces had been withdrawn.
1990—
Liberia. On August 6, 1990, President Bush reported that a reinforced
rifle company had been sent to provide additional security to the U.S.
Embassy in Monrovia, and that helicopter teams had evacuated U.S.
citizens from Liberia.
1990—
Saudi Arabia. On August 9, 1990, President Bush reported that he
had ordered the forward deployment of substantial elements of the U.S.
armed forces into the Persian Gulf region to help defend Saudi Arabia
after the August 2 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. On November 16,
1990, he reported the continued buildup of the forces to ensure an
adequate offensive military option.
1991—
Iraq. On January 18, 1991, President Bush reported that he had
directed U.S. armed forces to commence combat operations on January
16 against Iraqi forces and military targets in Iraq and Kuwait, in
conjunction with a coalition of allies and U.N. Security Council

resolutions. On January 12 Congress had passed the Authorization for
Use of Military Force against Iraq Resolution (P.L. 102-1). Combat
operations were suspended on February 28, 1991.
1991—
Iraq. On May 17, 1991, President Bush stated in a status report to
Congress that the Iraqi repression of the Kurdish people had
necessitated a limited introduction of U.S. forces into northern Iraq for
emergency relief purposes.
1991—
Zaire. On September 25-27, 1991, after widespread looting and
rioting broke out in Kinshasa, U.S. Air Force C-141s transported 100
Belgian troops and equipment into Kinshasa. U.S. planes also carried
300 French troops into the Central African Republic and hauled back
American citizens and third country nationals from locations outside
Zaire.
1992—
Sierra Leone. On May 3, 1992, U.S. military planes evacuated
Americans from Sierra Leone, where military leaders had overthrown
the government.
1992—
Kuwait. On August 3, 1992, the United States began a series of
military exercises in Kuwait, following Iraqi refusal to recognize a new
border drawn up by the United Nations and refusal to cooperate with
U.N. inspection teams.
1992—
Iraq. On September 16, 1992, President Bush stated in a status report
to Congress that he had ordered U.S. participation in the enforcement
of a prohibition against Iraqi flights in a specified zone in southern Iraq,
and aerial reconnaissance to monitor Iraqi compliance with the cease-
fire resolution.
1992—
Somalia. On December 10, 1992, President Bush reported that he had
deployed U.S. armed forces to Somalia in response to a humanitarian
crisis and a U.N. Security Council Resolution determining that the
situation constituted a threat to international peace. This operation,
called Operation Restore Hope, was part of a U.S.-led United Nations
Unified Task Force (UNITAF) and came to an end on May 4, 1993.
U.S. forces continued to participate in the successor United Nations
Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II), which the U.N. Security Council
authorized to assist Somalia in political reconciliation and restoration
of peace.
1993—
Iraq. On January 19, 1993, President Bush said in a status report that
on December 27, 1992, U.S. aircraft had shot down an Iraqi aircraft in
the prohibited zone; on January 13 aircraft from the United States and
coalition partners had attacked missile bases in southern Iraq; and
further military actions had occurred on January 17 and 18.
Administration officials said the United States was deploying a
battalion task force to Kuwait to underline the continuing U.S.
commitment to Kuwaiti independence.

1993—
Iraq. On January 21, 1993, shortly after his inauguration, President
Clinton said the United States would continue the Bush policy on Iraq,
and U.S. aircraft fired at targets in Iraq after pilots sensed Iraqi radar
or anti-aircraft fire directed at them
1993—
Bosnia. On February 28, 1993, the United States began an airdrop of
relief supplies aimed at Muslims surrounded by Serbian forces in
Bosnia.
1993—
Bosnia. On April 13, 1993, President Clinton reported U.S. forces
were participating in a NATO air action to enforce a U.N. ban on all
unauthorized military flights over Bosnia-Hercegovina.
1993—
Iraq. In a status report on Iraq of May 24, President Clinton said that
on April 9 and April 18 U.S. planes had bombed or fired missiles at
Iraqi anti-aircraft sites that had tracked U.S. aircraft.
1993—
Somalia. On June 10, 1993, President Clinton reported that in
response to attacks against U.N. forces in Somalia by a factional
leader, the U.S. Quick Reaction Force in the area had participated in
military action to quell the violence. On July 1 President Clinton
reported further air and ground military operations on June 12 and June
17 aimed at neutralizing military capabilities that had impeded U.N.
efforts to deliver humanitarian relief and promote national
reconstruction, and additional instances occurred in the following
months.
1993—
Iraq. On June 28, 1993, President Clinton reported that on June 26
U.S. naval forces had launched missiles against the Iraqi Intelligence
Service’s headquarters in Baghdad in response to an unsuccessful
attempt to assassinate former President Bush in Kuwait in April 1993.
1993—
Iraq. In a status report of July 22, 1993, President Clinton said on
June 19 a U.S. aircraft had fired a missile at an Iraqi anti-aircraft site
displaying hostile intent. U.S. planes also bombed an Iraqi missile
battery on August 19, 1993.
1993—
Macedonia. On July 9, 1993, President Clinton reported the
deployment of 350 U.S. soldiers to the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia to participate in the U.N. Protection Force to help maintain
stability in the area of former Yugoslavia.
1993—
Haiti. On October 20, 1993, President Clinton reported that U.S. ships
had begun to enforce a U.N. embargo against Haiti.
1994—
Bosnia. On February 17, 1994, President Clinton reported that the
United States had expanded its participation in United Nations and
NATO efforts to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict in former
Yugoslavia and that 60 U.S. aircraft were available for participation in
the authorized NATO missions.

1994—
Bosnia. On March 1, 1994, President Clinton reported that on
February 28 U.S. planes patrolling the “no-fly zone” in former
Yugoslavia under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) shot
down 4 Serbian Galeb planes.
1994—
Bosnia. On April 12, 1994, President Clinton reported that on April
10 and 11, U.S. warplanes under NATO command had fired against
Bosnian Serb forces shelling the “safe” city of Gorazde.
1994—
Rwanda. On April 12, 1994, President Clinton reported that combat-
equipped U.S. military forces had been deployed to Burundi to conduct
possible non-combatant evacuation operations of U.S. citizens and
other third-country nationals from Rwanda, where widespread fighting
had broken out. By September 30, 1994, all U.S. troops had departed
from Rwanda and surrounding nations. In the Defense Appropriations
Act for FY1995 (P.L. 103-335, signed September 30, 1994), Congress
barred use of funds for U.S. military participation in or around Rwanda
after October 7, 1994, except for any action necessary to protect U.S.
citizens.
1994—
Macedonia. On April 19, 1994, President Clinton reported that the
U.S. contingent in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had
been augmented by a reinforced company of 200 personnel.
1994—
Haiti. On April 20, 1994, President Clinton reported that U.S. naval
forces had continued enforcement of the U.N. embargo in the waters
around Haiti and that 712 vessels had been boarded since October 20,
1993.
1994—
Bosnia. On August 22, 1994, President Clinton reported the use on
August 5 of U.S. aircraft under NATO to attack Bosnian Serb heavy
weapons in the Sarajevo heavy weapons exclusion zone upon request
of the U.N. Protection Forces.
1994—
Haiti. On September 21, 1994, President Clinton reported the
deployment of 1,500 troops to Haiti to restore democracy in Haiti.
The troop level was subsequently increased to 20,000.
1994—
Bosnia. On November 22, 1994, President Clinton reported the use of
U.S. combat aircraft on November 21, 1994, under NATO, to attack
bases used by Serbs to attack the town of Bihac in Bosnia.
1994—
Macedonia. On December 22, 1994, President Clinton reported that
the U.S. Army contingent in the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia continued its peacekeeping mission and that the current
contingent would soon be replaced by about 500 soldiers from the 3rd
Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division from
Kirchgons, Germany.
1995—
Somalia. On March 1, 1995, President Clinton reported that on
February 27, 1995, 1,800 combat-equipped U.S. armed forces
personnel began deployment into Mogadishu, Somalia, to assist in the

withdrawal of U.N. forces assigned there to the United Nations
Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II). This mission was completed on
March 3, 1995.
1995—
Haiti. On March 21, 1995, President Clinton reported that U.S.
military forces in Haiti as part of a U.N. Multinational Force had been
reduced to just under 5,300 personnel. He noted that as of March 31,
1995, approximately 2,500 U.S. personnel would remain in Haiti as
part of the U.N. Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).
1995—
Bosnia. On May 24, 1995, President Clinton reported that U.S.
combat-equipped fighter aircraft and other aircraft continued to
contribute to NATO’s enforcement of the no-fly zone in airspace over
Bosnia-Herzegovina. U.S. aircraft, he noted, were also available for
close air support of U.N. forces in Croatia. Roughly 500 U.S. soldiers
continued to be deployed in the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia as part of the U.N. Preventive Deployment Force
(UNPREDEP). U.S. forces continued to support U.N. refugee and
embargo operations in this region.
1995—
Bosnia. On September 1, 1995, President Clinton reported that “U.S.
combat and support aircraft” had been used beginning on August 29,
1995, in a series of NATO air strikes against Bosnian Serb Army
(BSA) forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina that were threatening the U.N.-
declared safe areas of Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Gorazde. He noted that
during the first day of operations, “some 300 sorties were flown against
23 targets in the vicinity of Sarajevo, Tuzla, Gorazde and Mostar.”
1995—
Haiti. On September 21, 1995, President Clinton reported that
currently the United States had 2,400 military personnel in Haiti as
participants in the U.N. Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). In addition, 260
U.S. military personnel were assigned to the U.S. Support Group Haiti.
1995—
Bosnia. On December 6, 1995, President Clinton reported to
Congress, that he had “ordered the deployment of approximately 1,500
U.S. military personnel to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia as part
of a NATO “enabling force” to lay the groundwork for the prompt and
safe deployment of the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR),”
which would be used to implement the Bosnian peace agreement after
its signing. The President also noted that he had authorized deployment
of roughly 3,000 other U.S. military personnel to Hungary, Italy, and
Croatia to establish infrastructure for the enabling force and the IFOR.
1995—
Bosnia. On December 21, 1995, President Clinton reported to
Congress that he had ordered the deployment of approximately 20,000
U.S. military personnel to participate in the NATO-led Implementation
Force (IFOR) in the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and
approximately 5,000 U.S. military personnel would be deployed in
other former Yugoslav states, primarily in Croatia. In addition, about
7,000 U.S. support forces would be deployed to Hungary, Italy and
Croatia and other regional states in support of IFOR’s mission.

1996—
Haiti. On March 21, 1996, President Clinton reported to Congress
that beginning in January 1996 there had been a “phased reduction” in
the number of United States personnel assigned to the United Nations
Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). As of March 21, 309 U.S. personnel
remained a part of UNMIH. These U.S. forces were “equipped for
combat.”
1996—
Liberia. On April 11, 1996, President Clinton reported to Congress
that on April 9, 1996 due to the “deterioration of the security situation
and the resulting threat to American citizens” in Liberia he had ordered
U.S. military forces to evacuate from that country “private U.S.
citizens and certain third-country nationals who had taken refuge in the
U.S. Embassy compound....”
1996—
Liberia. On May 20, 1996, President Clinton reported to Congress the
continued deployment of U.S. military forces in Liberia to evacuate
both American citizens and other foreign personnel, and to respond to
various isolated “attacks on the American Embassy complex” in
Liberia. The President noted that the deployment of U.S. forces would
continue until there was no longer any need for enhanced security at
the Embassy and a requirement to maintain an evacuation capability in
the country.
1996—
Central African Republic. On May 23, 1996, President Clinton
reported to Congress the deployment of U.S. military personnel to
Bangui, Central African Republic, to conduct the evacuation from that
country of “private U.S. citizens and certain U.S. Government
employees,” and to provide “enhanced security for the American
Embassy in Bangui.”
1996—
Bosnia. On June 21, 1996, President Clinton reported to Congress that
United States forces totaling about 17,000 remain deployed in Bosnia
“under NATO operational command and control” as part of the NATO
Implementation Force (IFOR). In addition, about 5,500 U.S. military
personnel were deployed in Hungary, Italy and Croatia, and other
regional states to provide “logistical and other support to IFOR.” The
President noted that it was the intention that IFOR would complete the
withdrawal of all troops in the weeks after December 20, 1996, on a
schedule “set by NATO commanders consistent with the safety of
troops and the logistical requirements for an orderly withdrawal.” He
also noted that a U.S. Army contingent (of about 500 U.S. soldiers)
remained in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as part of the
United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP).
1996—
Rwanda and Zaire. On December 2, 1996, President Clinton reported
to Congress that to support the humanitarian efforts of the United
Nations regarding refugees in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of
Eastern Zaire, he had authorized the use of U.S. personnel and aircraft,
including AC-130U planes to help in surveying the region in support
of humanitarian operations, although fighting still was occurring in the
area, and U.S. aircraft had been subject to fire when on flight duty.

1996—
Bosnia. On December 20, 1996, President Clinton reported to
Congress that he had authorized U.S. participation in an IFOR
follow-on force in Bosnia, known as SFOR (Stabilization Force), under
NATO command. The President said the U.S. forces contribution to
SFOR was to be “about 8,500" personnel whose primary mission is to
deter or prevent a resumption of hostilities or new threats to peace in
Bosnia. SFOR’s duration in Bosnia is expected to be 18 months, with
progressive reductions and eventual withdrawal.
1997—
Albania. On March 15, 1997, President Clinton reported to Congress
that on March 13, 1997, he had utilized U.S. military forces to
evacuate certain U.S. Government employees and private U.S. citizens
from Tirana, Albania, and to enhance security for the U.S. Embassy in
that city.
1997—
Congo and Gabon. On March 27, 1997, President Clinton reported to
Congress that, on March 25, 1997, a standby evacuation force of U.S.
military personnel had been deployed to Congo and Gabon to provide
enhanced security for American private citizens, government
employees, and selected third country nationals in Zaire, and to be
available for any necessary evacuation operation.
1997—
Sierra Leone. On May 30, 1997, President Clinton reported to
Congress that on May 29 and May 30, 1997, U.S. military personnel
were deployed to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to prepare for and undertake
the evacuation of certain U.S. government employees and private U.S.
citizens.
1997—
Bosnia. On June 20, 1997, President Clinton reported to Congress that
U.S. Armed Forces continued to support peacekeeping operations in
Bosnia and other states in the region in support of the NATO-led
Stabilization Force (SFOR). He reported that currently most U.S.
military personnel involved in SFOR were in Bosnia, near Tuzla, and
about 2,800 U.S. troops were deployed in Hungary, Croatia, Italy, and
other regional states to provide logistics and other support to SFOR.
A U.S. Army continent of about 500 also remained in the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as part of the U.N. Preventive
Deployment Force (UNPREDEP).
1997—
Cambodia. On July 11, 1997, President Clinton reported to Congress
that in an effort to ensure the security of American citizens in
Cambodia during a period of domestic conflict there, he had deployed
a Task Force of about 550 U.S. military personnel to Utapao Air Base
in Thailand. These personnel were to be available for possible
emergency evacuation operations in Cambodia as deemed necessary.
1997—
Bosnia. On December 19, 1997, President Clinton reported to
Congress that he intended “in principle” to have the United States
participate in a security presence in Bosnia when the NATO SFOR
contingent withdrew in the summer of 1998.

1998—
Guinea-Bissau. On June 12, 1998, President Clinton reported to
Congress that, on June 10, 1998, in response to an army mutiny in
Guinea-Bissau endangering the U.S. Embassy, U.S. government
employees and citizens in that country, he had deployed a standby
evacuation force of U.S. military personnel to Dakar, Senegal, to
remove such individuals, as well as selected third country nationals,
from the city of Bissau. The deployment continued until the necessary
evacuations were completed.
1998—
Bosnia. On June 19, 1998, President Clinton reported to Congress
regarding activities in the last six months of combat-equipped U.S.
forces in support of NATO’s SFOR in Bosnia and surrounding areas
of former Yugoslavia.
1998—
Kenya and Tanzania. On August 10, 1998, President Clinton reported
to Congress that he had deployed, on August 7, 1998, a Joint Task
Force of U.S. military personnel to Nairobi, Kenya, to coordinate the
medical and disaster assistance related to the bombings of the U.S.
Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. He also reported that teams of 50-
100 security personnel had arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania, to enhance the security of the U.S. Embassies and
citizens there.
1998—
Albania. On August 18, 1998, President Clinton reported to Congress
that he had, on August 16, 1998, deployed 200 U.S. Marines and 10
Navy SEALS to the U.S. Embassy compound in Tirana, Albania, to
enhance security against reported threats against U.S. personnel.
1998—
Afghanistan and Sudan. On August 21, 1998, by letter, President
Clinton reported to Congress that he had authorized airstrikes on
August 20 against camps and installations in Afghanistan and Sudan
th
used by the Osama bin Laden terrorist organization. The President did
so based on what he viewed as convincing information that the bin
Laden organization was responsible for the bombings, on August 7,
1998, of the U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
1998—
Liberia. On September 29, 1998, President Clinton reported to
Congress that on September 27, 1998 he had, due to political instability
and civil disorder in Liberia, deployed a stand-by response and
evacuation force of 30 U.S. military personnel to augment the security
force at the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, and to provide for a rapid
evacuation capability, as needed, to remove U.S. citizens and
government personnel from the country.
1998—
Iraq. During the period from December 16-23, 1998, the United
States, together with the United Kingdom, conducted a bombing
campaign, termed Operation Desert Fox, against Iraqi industrial
facilities deemed capable of producing weapons of mass destruction,
and against other Iraqi military and security targets.
1998-1999— Iraq. Beginning in late December 1998, and continuing during 1999,
the United States, together with forces of the coalition enforcing the

“no-fly” zones over Iraq, conducted military operations against the
Iraqi air defense system on numerous occasions in response to actual
or potential threats against aircraft enforcing the “no-fly” zones in
northern and southern Iraq.
1999—
Bosnia. On January 19, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress
that he was continuing to authorize the use of combat-equipped U.S.
Armed Forces in Bosnia and other states in the region as participants
in and supporters of the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). He
noted that the U.S. SFOR military personnel totaled about 6,900, with
about 2,300 U.S. military personnel deployed to Hungary, Croatia,
Italy and other regional states. Also some 350 U.S. military personnel
remain deployed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
(FYROM) as part of the UN Preventative Deployment Force
(UNPREDEP).
1999—
Kenya. On February 25, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress
that he was continuing to deploy U.S. military personnel in that country
to assist in providing security for the U.S. embassy and American
citizens in Nairobi, pending completion of renovations of the American
embassy facility in Nairobi, subject of a terrorist bombing in August
1998.
1999—
Yugoslavia. On March 26, 1999, President Clinton reported to
Congress that, on March 24, 1999, U.S. military forces, at his
direction, and in coalition with NATO allies, had commenced air
strikes against Yugoslavia in response to the Yugoslav government’s
campaign of violence and repression against the ethnic Albanian
population in Kosovo.
1999—
Albania/Macedonia/Yugoslavia. On April 7, 1999, President Clinton
reported to Congress, that he had ordered additional U.S. military
forces to Albania, including rotary wing aircraft, artillery, and tactical
missiles systems to enhance NATO’s ability to conduct effective air
operations in Yugoslavia. About 2,500 soldiers and aviators are to be
deployed as part of this task force. The President also reported the
deployment of U.S. military forces to Albania and Macedonia to
support humanitarian disaster relief operations for Kosovar refugees.