With the possible exception of Britain and France, no other nation in the world says to its citizens and companies, go into any high-risk area you please, and if you get into trouble, we will send naive young soldiers to risk their lives bailing you out. In all other nations, those who go abroad do so at their own risk, and if they consider the risks too high, they don't go.
Consequently, US troops are perpetually scattered all over the world, in more than 100 nations, performing duties that have nothing to do with defending their country.
Only five times in US history has Congress declared war. However, from May 1999 to March 2004, for instance, the President of the United States undertook foreign military actions more than 20 times.
Here is a sample of known US military operations (many US military operations are secret):
2004 -- Balkans and Haiti. On March 20, 2004, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," a consolidated report giving details of multiple on-going United States military deployments and operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Haiti.
2004 - Haiti. On March 2, 2004, the President reported to Congress that on February 29 he had sent about "200 additional US combat-equipped, military personnel from the US Joint Forces Command" to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for a variety of purposes.
2004 -- Bosnia. On January 22, 2004, the President reported to Congress that Washington was continuing to deploy about 1,800 combat equipped military personnel to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
2003 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On November 14, 2003, the President reported to Congress that the he was continuing to deploy combat equipped military personnel in Kosovo.
2003 - Various locations. On September 19, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress that US "combat-equipped and combat support forces" continue to be deployed at a number of locations around the world.
2003 -- Liberia. On August 13, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress that in response to conditions in Liberia, on August 11, 2003, he had authorized about 4,350 US combat-equipped military personnel to enter Liberian territorial waters.
2003 -- Liberia. On June 9, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, that on June 8 he had sent about 35 combat-equipped US military personnel into Monrovia, Liberia. The President also noted that he had sent about 34 combat-equipped US military personnel to into Nouakchott, Mauritania.
2003 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On May 14, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress that about 2,250 combat-equipped US military personnel continued to be deployed in Kosovo, and additional military personnel operated, on occasion, from Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in Kosovo.
2003 -- Iraq. On March 21, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress that he had "directed US Armed Forces, operating with other coalition forces, to commence operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq."
2003 -- Georgia/Yemen. On March 20, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress that pursuant to his authority as Commander-in-Chief, he had continued a number of US military operations globally, including in support of the armies of Georgia and Yemen. The number of men, women and children killed by the armies of Georgia and Yemen, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
2003 -- Bosnia. On January 21, 2003, President George W. Bush reported to Congress that about 1,800 US Armed Forces personnel continued to be deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and other nations in the region.
2002 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On November 15, 2002, the President reported to Congress that the US was continuing to deploy combat equipped military personnel in Kosovo.
2002 -- Cote d'Ivoire. On September 26, 2002, President Bush reported to Congress that he had sent US military personnel into Cote d'Ivoire.
2002 -- Philippines. On September 20, 2002, President Bush reported to Congress that US "combat-equipped and combat support forces" had been deployed to the Philippines.
2002 -- East Timor. On February 28, 2002, President George W. Bush reported to Congress that the US armed forces were continuing operations in East Timor.
2001 -- Balkans. On November 19, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress that the United States was continuing to station approximately 5,500 US military personnel in the Balkans.
2001 -- Afghanistan. On October 9, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" and "Senate Joint Resolution 23," that on October 7, 2001, US Armed Forces "began combat action in Afghanistan."
2001 - Various areas. President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" and "Senate Joint Resolution 23," that in response to attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon he had ordered the "deployment of various combat-equipped and combat support forces to a number of foreign nations in the Central and Pacific Command areas of operations."
2001 -- East Timor. On August 31, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress that US armed forces were operating in East Timor.
2001 - Iraq. At various times throughout 2001, Washington conducted military operations against Iraq on numerous occasions. The often quoted statistic was that Washington was bombing Iraq "three times a week." The number of Iraqi men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
2001 -- Bosnia. On July 25, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress that about 3,800 combat-equipped US Armed Forces continued to be deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other parts of the Balkans.
2001 -- East Timor. On March 2, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress that US armed forces were continuing operations in East Timor.
2000 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On December 18, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress that the United States was continuing to station approximately 5,600 US military personnel in the Balkans.
2000 -- Sierra Leone. On May 12, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress that he had ordered a US Navy patrol craft to deploy to Sierra Leone to be ready to evacuate US citizens from that country.
1999-2000 -- Iraq. At various times during 1999, and continuing throughout 2000, Washington bombed Iraq on numerous occasions. The number of Iraqi men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1999 -- Serbia. On May 25, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress that he had directed "deployment of additional aircraft and forces" against Serbia. The number of Serbian men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1999 -- Yugoslavia/Albania. On April 7, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress, that he had ordered additional US 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.
1999 -- Serbia. On March 26, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress that, on March 24, 1999, US military forces, at his direction, and in coalition with NATO allies, had commenced air strikes against Serbia.
1999 -- Kenya. On February 25, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress that he was continuing to deploy US military personnel in Kenya.
1999 -- Bosnia. On January 19, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress that he was continuing to authorize the use of combat-equipped US Armed Forces in Bosnia and other states in the region as participants in and supporters of the NATO-led force.
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 and against other Iraqi military and security targets. The number of Iraqi men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
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 US military personnel.
1998 -- Afghanistan and Sudan. On August 21, 1998, by letter, President Clinton reported to Congress that he had authorized airstrikes on August 20th against camps and installations in Afghanistan and Sudan. The number of Afghan and Sudanese men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1998 -- Albania. On August 18, 1998, President Clinton reported to Congress that he had, on August 16, 1998, deployed 200 US Marines and 10 Navy SEALS to the US Embassy compound in Tirana, Albania, to enhance security against reported threats against US personnel.
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 US 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.
1998 -- Bosnia. On June 19, 1998, President Clinton reported to Congress regarding activities in the last six months of combat-equipped US forces in support of Nato in Bosnia and surrounding areas of former Yugoslavia.
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 US citizens in that country, he had deployed a standby evacuation force of US military personnel.
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 US military personnel.
1997 -- Sierra Leone. On May 30, 1997, President Clinton reported to Congress that on May 29 and May 30, 1997, US military personnel were deployed to Freetown, Sierra Leone, to prepare for and undertake the evacuation of US citizens.
1997 -- Congo and Gabon. On March 27, 1997, President Clinton reported to Congress that, on March 25, 1997, a standby evacuation force of US military personnel had been deployed to Congo and Gabon to provide enhanced security for American citizens in Zaire, and to be available for any necessary evacuation operation.
1997 -- Albania. On March 15, 1997, President Clinton reported to Congress that on March 13, 1997, he had utilized US military forces to evacuate US citizens from Tirana, Albania.
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 US 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 US aircraft had been subject to fire when on flight duty.
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."
1996 -- Central African Republic. On May 23, 1996, President Clinton reported to Congress the deployment of US military personnel to Bangui, Central African Republic, to conduct the evacuation of US citizens.
1996 -- Liberia. On May 20, 1996, President Clinton reported to Congress the continued deployment of US military forces in Liberia to evacuate American citizens and other foreign personnel, and to respond to various isolated "attacks on the American Embassy complex" in Liberia.
1995 -- Balkans. On December 21, 1995, President Clinton reported to Congress that he had ordered the deployment of approximately 20,000 US military personnel to participate in the NATO-led Implementation Force (IFOR) in the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina, and approximately 5,000 US military personnel would be deployed in other former Yugoslav states, primarily in Croatia. In addition, about 7,000 US support forces would be deployed to Hungary, Italy and Croatia and other regional states in support of IFOR's mission.
1995 -- Haiti. On September 21, 1995, President Clinton reported that currently the United States had 2,400 military personnel in Haiti.
1995 -- Bosnia. On September 1, 1995, President Clinton reported that "US combat and support aircraft" had been used beginning on August 29, 1995, in a series of NATO air strikes against Bosnian Serb Army. The number of Bosnian Serb men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1995 -- Somalia. On March 1, 1995, President Clinton reported that on February 27, 1995, 1,800 combat-equipped US armed forces personnel began deployment into Mogadishu, Somalia, to assist in the withdrawal of UN forces.
1994 -- Macedonia. On December 22, 1994, President Clinton reported that the US 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.
1994 -- Bosnia. On November 22, 1994, President Clinton reported the use of US combat aircraft on November 21, 1994, under NATO, to attack bases used by Serbs. The number of Serbian men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1994 -- Haiti. On September 21, 1994, President Clinton reported the deployment of 1,500 troops to Haiti. The troop level was subsequently increased to 20,000.
1994 -- Bosnia. On August 22, 1994, President Clinton reported the use on August 5 of US aircraft under NATO to attack Bosnian Serb heavy weapons in the Sarajevo heavy weapons exclusion zone upon request of the UN Protection Forces.
1994 -- Haiti. On April 20, 1994, President Clinton reported that US naval forces had continued enforcement of the UN embargo in the waters around Haiti and that 712 vessels had been boarded since October 20, 1993.
1994 -- Macedonia. On April 19, 1994, President Clinton reported that the US contingent in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia had been augmented by a reinforced company of 200 personnel.
1994 -- Rwanda. On April 12, 1994, President Clinton reported that combat-equipped US military forces had been deployed to Burundi to conduct possible evacuation of US citizens from Rwanda.
1994 -- Bosnia. On April 12, 1994, President Clinton reported that on April 10 and 11, US warplanes under NATO command had fired against Bosnian Serb forces shelling Gorazde. The number of Serbs killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1994 -- Bosnia. On March 1, 1994, President Clinton reported that on February 28 US planes patrolling the "no-fly zone" in former Yugoslavia shot down 4 Serbian Galeb planes.
1993 -- Haiti. On October 20, 1993, President Clinton reported that US ships had begun to enforce a UN embargo against Haiti.
1993 -- Macedonia. On July 9, 1993, President Clinton reported the deployment of 350 US soldiers to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to participate in the UN Force to help maintain stability in the area of former Yugoslavia.
1993 - Iraq. US planes bombed an Iraqi missile battery on August 19, 1993. The number of Iraqis killed is unknown.
1993 -- Iraq. On June 28, 1993, President Clinton reported that on June 26 US 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. The number of Iraqi men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1993 -- Somalia. On June 10, 1993, President Clinton reported that in response to attacks against UN forces in Somalia by a factional leader, the US Quick Reaction Force in the area had participated in military action to quell the violence. The number of Somali men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown, but the number of dead is almost surely in the thousands.
1993 - Iraq. In a status report on Iraq of May 24, President Clinton said that on April 9 and April 18 US warplanes had bombed or fired missiles at Iraqi anti-aircraft sites. The number of Iraqi men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1993 -- Bosnia. On April 13, 1993, President Clinton reported US forces were participating in a Nato air action to enforce a UN ban on all unauthorized military flights over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
1993 -- Bosnia. On February 28, 1993, the United States began an airdrop of supplies to Muslims surrounded by Serbian forces in Bosnia.
1993 -- Iraq. On January 21, 1993, shortly after his inauguration, President Clinton said the United States would continue Bush senior's policy on Iraq. US aircraft fired at targets in Iraq after pilots sensed Iraqi radar or anti-aircraft fire directed at them.
1993 -- Iraq. On January 19, 1993, President Bush said in a status report that on December 27, 1992, US aircraft shot down an Iraqi 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.
1992 -- Somalia. On December 10, 1992, President Bush reported that he had deployed US armed forces to Somalia in response to a humanitarian crisis and a UN Security Council Resolution determining that the situation constituted a threat to international peace.
1992 -- Iraq. On September 16, 1992 President Bush stated in a status report to Congress that he had ordered US participation in the enforcement of a prohibition against Iraqi flights in a specified zone in southern Iraq.
1992 -- Kuwait. On August 3, 1992, Washington began a series of military exercises in Kuwait, following Iraqi refusal to recognize a new border drawn up by the United Nations.
1992 -- Sierra Leone. On May 3, 1992, US military planes evacuated Americans from Sierra Leone, where military leaders had overthrown the government.
1991 -- Zaire. On September 25-27, 1991, after widespread looting and rioting broke out in Kinshasa, US Air Force C-141s transported 100 Belgian troops and equipment into Kinshasa.
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 US forces into northern Iraq for emergency relief purposes.
1991 -- Iraq. On January 18, 1991, President Bush reported that he had directed US armed forces to commence combat operations on January 16 against Iraqi forces and military targets in Iraq and Kuwait. Combat operations were suspended on February 28, 1991. The number of Iraqi men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1990 -- Saudi Arabia. On August 9, 1990, President Bush reported that he had ordered the forward deployment of substantial elements of the US armed forces into the Persian Gulf region to help defend Saudi Arabia after the August 2 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.
1990 -- Liberia. On August 6, 1990, President Bush reported that a reinforced rifle company had been sent to provide additional security to the US Embassy in Monrovia, and that helicopter teams had evacuated US citizens from Liberia.
1989-90 -- Panama. On December 21, 1989, President Bush reported that he had ordered US military forces to Panama to protect American citizens and capture General Noriega. The number of Panamanian men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1989 -- Philippines. On December 2, 1989, President Bush reported that on December 1 US fighter planes from Clark Air Base in the Philippines had assisted the Aquino government to repel a coup attempt. The number of Filipino men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1989 - South America. On September 15, 1989, President Bush announced that military and law enforcement assistance would be sent to help the Andean governments of Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru fight drug producers.
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 US forces already in the area.
1989 -- Libya. On January 4, 1989, two US Navy F-14 aircraft based on the USS John F. Kennedy shot down two Libyan jet fighters over the Mediterranean Sea about 70 miles north of Libya.
1987-88 -- Persian Gulf. Washington adopted a policy of reflagging and escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Gulf. President Reagan reported that US 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.
1986 -- Bolivia. US Army personnel and aircraft assisted the Bolivian regime in anti-drug operations. The number of Bolivian men, women and children killed and wounded, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1986 -- Libya. On April 16, 1986, President Reagan reported that US air and naval forces had conducted bombing strikes in Libya. The number of Libyan men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1986 -- Libya. On March 26, 1986, President Reagan reported to Congress that, on March 24 and 25, US forces in Libya's Gulf of Sidra had been attacked by Libyan missiles, and the United States had responded with missiles. (Since the Middle Ages, Libya had claimed ownership of the Gulf of Sidra.)
1985 -- Italy. On October 10, 1985, US 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.
1984 -- Persian Gulf. On June 5, 1984, Saudi Arabian jet fighter planes, aided by intelligence from a US AWACS electronic surveillance aircraft and fueled by a U.S. KC-10 tanker, shot down two Iranian fighter planes over the Persian Gulf.
1983 -- Grenada. On October 25, 1983, President Reagan reported a landing on Grenada by Marines and Army airborne troops to protect US citizens and restore order.
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 the government of Chad against Libyan and rebel forces. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1983-89 -- Honduras. On March 25, 1986, US military helicopters and crewmen ferried Honduran troops to the Nicaraguan border to fight Nicaraguan troops. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1983 -- Egypt.. After a Libyan plane bombed a city in Sudan on March 18, 1983, and the governments of Sudan and Egypt appealed for assistance, the United States dispatched an AWACS electronic surveillance plane to Egypt.
1982-1983 -- Lebanon. On September 29, 1982, President Reagan sent 1200 marines in support of Christians against Muslims. On Sept. 29, 1983, Congress passed the Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution (P.L. 98-119) authorizing the continued participation for eighteen months. The number of Lebanese men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
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.
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.
1981 -- El Salvador. After a guerilla offensive against the government of El Salvador, additional US military advisers were sent to El Salvador, bringing the total to approximately 55, to assist in training government forces in counterinsurgency. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded by the government forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1980 -- Iran. On April 26, 1980, President Carter reported the use of six US transport planes and eight helicopters in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue American hostages being held in Iran.
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.
1976 -- Korea. Additional forces were sent to Korea after two American soldiers were killed by North Korean soldiers in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea while cutting down a tree.
1976 -- Lebanon. On July 22 and 23, 1974, helicopters from five US naval vessels evacuated approximately 250 Americans and Europeans from Lebanon during fighting between Lebanese factions.
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, which was seized by pirates.
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 US citizens and 5,500 third country nationals and South Vietnamese from landing zones near the US Embassy in Saigon and the Tan Son Nhut Airfield.
1975 -- Evacuation from Cambodia. On April 12, 1975, President Ford reported that he had ordered US military forces to proceed with the planned evacuation of US citizens from Cambodia.
1975 -- Evacuation from Vietnam. On April 3, 1975, President Ford reported US naval vessels, helicopters, and Marines had been sent to assist in evacuation of refugees and US nationals from Vietnam.
1974 -- Evacuation from Cyprus. United States naval forces evacuated US civilians during hostilities between Turkish and Greek Cypriot forces.
1970 -- Cambodia. US troops were ordered into Cambodia.
1967 -- Congo. The United States sent three military transport aircraft with crews to provide the Congo government with logistical support during a revolt. The number of Congolese men, women and children killed, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1965 -- Dominican Republic. The United States intervened to protect US citizens' lives and property during a Dominican revolt.
1964-73 -- Vietnam War. US military advisers had been in South Vietnam for a decade, and their numbers had been increased as the military position of the dictatorship in Saigon became weaker. After citing what turned out to be bogus claims of attacks on US destroyers in the Tonkin Gulf, President Johnson asked in August 1964 for a resolution to escalate the war. Congress responded with the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, expressing support for "all necessary measures." By April 1969, US participation in the war had reached a peak of 543,000 military personnel. Despite this formidable backing by Washington, the Saigon dictatorship fell in 1975.
1964 -- Congo. The United States sent four transport planes to provide airlift for Congolese troops during a rebellion. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded by the Congolese troops, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1962-75 -- Laos. From October 1962 until 1975, Washington fought rebel forces in Laos. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1962 -- Cuba. On October 22, President Kennedy instituted a "quarantine" on the shipment of offensive missiles to Cuba from the Soviet Union. Soviet officials backed down shortly before a US invasion of Cuba was due to begin. Years later, US officials learned that Soviet commanders in Cuba already had nuclear missiles, and had been given orders to launch them if attacked. No one seems to know why the Cuban Missile Crisis was created. Today, as in 1962, Russian nuclear-armed submarines still patrol along US coasts.
1962 -- Thailand. The 3d Marine Expeditionary Unit landed on May 17, 1962 to support the Thai regime during the threat of an uprising.
1959-60 -- The Caribbean. The 2d Marine Ground Task Force was deployed to protect US citizens during the Cuban Revolution.
1958 -- Lebanon. Marines were landed in Lebanon to help protect its government against insurrection. The President's action was supported by a Congressional resolution passed in 1957. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded by the Lebanese government, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1956 -- Egypt. A marine battalion evacuated US civilians from Alexandria during the Suez crisis.
1954-55 -- China. Naval units evacuated US civilians from the Tachen Islands.
1950-55 -- Formosa (Taiwan) . In June 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War, President Truman ordered the US Seventh Fleet to prevent Chinese attacks upon Chaing Kai Shek on Taiwan.
1950-53 -- Korean War. Washington entered the war between North Korea and South Korea. US forces deployed in Korea exceeded 300,000 during the last year of the conflict. Over 36,600 US military were killed in action. The number of Korean men, women and children killed and wounded is unknown.
1948-49 -- China. Marines were dispatched to Shanghai to evacuate Americans during Mao's revolution.
1948 -- Berlin. After the Soviet Union established a land blockade of the US, British, and French sectors of Berlin on June 24, 1948, Washington and its allies airlifted supplies to Berlin until after the blockade was lifted in May 1949.
1948 -- Palestine. A marine consular guard was sent to Jerusalem to protect the US Consul General.
1946 -- Trieste. President Truman ordered the augmentation of US troops along the zonal occupation line and the reinforcement of air forces in northern Italy after Yugoslav forces shot down an unarmed US Army transport plane flying over Venezia Giulia.
1945 -- China. In October 50,000 US 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.
1941-45 -- World War II. .
1941 - Atlantic/Germany. Sometime in the spring the President ordered the Navy to patrol ship lanes to Europe. By July, US warships were convoying, and by September were attacking German submarines. In November, the Neutrality Act was partly repealed to enable US military aid to Britain.
1941 -- Iceland. Iceland was taken under the protection of the United States, with consent of its government, for strategic reasons.
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 the aluminum ore supply from the bauxite mines in Surinam.
1941 -- Greenland. Greenland was taken under protection of the United States in April.
1940 -- Newfoundland, Bermuda, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, Trinidad, and British Guiana. US troops were sent to guard air and naval bases obtained by negotiation with Great Britain. These were sometimes called lend-lease bases.
1934 -- China. Marines landed at Foochow to protect the American Consulate.
1933 -- Cuba. During a revolution against President Gerardo Machado, US naval forces demonstrated, but no landing was made.
1932 -- China. American forces were landed to protect American civilians and business interests during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai.
1927 -- China. February. Fighting at Shanghai brought an increase in American naval forces and marines. In March a naval guard was stationed at American consulate at Nanking after Nationalist forces captured the city.
1926 -- China. August and September. The Nationalist attack on Hankow brought the landing of American naval forces to protect American citizens.
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 US civilians and business interests.
1925 -- Panama. October 12 to 23. After strikes and rent riots, about 600 American troops were landed to protect American civilians and business interests.
1925 -- Honduras. April 19 to 21. US forces protected foreigners at La Ceiba during a political upheaval.
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 civilian lives and business interests in the International Settlement.
1924 -- China. September. Marines were landed to protect American civilians and other foreigners in Shanghai during Chinese factional hostilities.
1924 -- Honduras. February 28 to March 31, September 10 to 15. US forces protected American civilians and business interests during election hostilities.
1922-23 -- China. Between April 1922 and November 1923 marines were landed five times to protect American civilians during periods of unrest.
1922 -- Turkey. September and October. A landing force was sent ashore to protect American civilians and business interests when the Turkish Nationalists entered Smyrna.
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.
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.
1920 -- Guatemala. April 9 to 27. US forces protected American civilians during a period of fighting between Unionists and the Government of Guatemala.
1920 -- China. March 14. A landing force was sent ashore for a few hours to protect Americans during a disturbance at Kiukiang.
1919 -- Honduras. September 8 to 12. A landing force was sent ashore during an attempted revolution.
1919 -- Turkey. Marines from the USS Arizona were landed to guard the US Consulate during the Greek occupation of Constantinople.
1919 -- Dalmatia. US forces were landed at Trau at the request of Italian authorities to police order between the Italians and Serbs.
1918-20 -- Soviet Russia. 5,000 American troops joined the allied intervention force at Archangel during the Russian Revolution. The number of Russian men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1918-20 -- Panama. US forces were used for police duty according to treaty stipulations, at Chiriqui, during election disturbances and subsequent unrest.
1918-19 -- Mexico. After withdrawal of the Pershing expedition, US troops entered Mexico in pursuit of so-called bandits at least three times in 1918 and six times in 1919. In August 1918 American and Mexican troops fought at Nogales.
1917-22 -- Cuba. US forces protected American civilians and business interests during insurrection and subsequent unsettled conditions.
1917-18 -- World War I.
1917 -- China. American troops were landed at Chunking to protect American civilians during a political crisis.
1916-24 -- Dominican Republic. May 1916 to September 1924. American naval forces intervened during a period of chronic and threatened insurrection.
1916 - China. American forces landed to quell a riot taking place on American property in Nanking. The number of Chinese men, women and children killed and wounded, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1915-34 -- Haiti. July 28, 1915, to August 15, 1934. US forces intervened during a period of chronic political instability.
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. The number of Mexican men, women and children killed, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
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 -- Haiti. January 29 to February 9, February 20 to 21, October 19. Intermittently US naval forces protected American nationals in a time of rioting and revolution.
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.
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 US civilians and business interests in China.
1912-25 -- Nicaragua. August to November 1912. US forces protected American civilians and business 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 -- Turkey. November 18 to December 3. US forces guarded the American legation at Constantinople during a Balkan War.
1912 -- China. August 24 to 26, on Kentucky Island, and August 26 to 30 at Camp Nicholson. US forces protected Americans and American civilians and business interests during revolutionary activity.
1912 -- Cuba. June 5 to August 5. US forces protected American civilians and business interests on the Province of Oriente, and in Havana.
1912 -- Panama. Troops, on request of both political parties, supervised elections outside the Canal Zone.
1912 -- Honduras. A small force landed to prevent seizure by the government of an American-owned railroad at Puerto Cortez.
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. A small landing force guarded American private property and consulate at Hankow.
1911 -- Honduras. January 26. American naval detachments were landed to protect American civilians and business interests during a civil war in Honduras.
1910 -- Nicaragua. May 19 to September 4. US forces protected American civilians and business interests at Bluefields.
1907 -- Honduras. March 18 to June 8. To protect American civilians and business interests during a war between Honduras and Nicaragua, troops were stationed in Trujillo, Ceiba, Puerto Cortez, San Pedro, Laguna and Choloma.
1906-09 -- Cuba. September 1906 to January 23, 1909. US forces sought to restore order, protect foreigners, and establish a government friendly to the US after serious revolutionary activity.
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.
1904 -- Panama. November 17 to 24. US forces protected American civilians and property at Ancon at the time of a threatened insurrection.
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 -- 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 civilians and business interests in Puerto Plata and Sosua and Santo Domingo City during revolutionary fighting.
1903-14 -- Panama. US forces sought to protect American civilians and business interests during and following the revolution for independence from Colombia over construction of the Panama Canal.
1903-04 -- Abyssinia. Twenty-five marines were sent to Abyssinia to protect the US Consul General while he negotiated a treaty.
1903 -- Syria. September 7 to 12. US forces protected the American consulate in Beirut when a local Muslim uprising was feared.
1903 -- Dominican Republic. March 30 to April 21. A detachment of marines was landed to protect American civilians and business interests in the city of Santo Domingo during a revolutionary outbreak.
1903 -- Honduras. March 23 to 30 or 31. US forces protected the American consulate and the steamship wharf at Puerto Cortez during a period of revolutionary activity.
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.
1902 -- Colombia. April 16 to 23. US forces protected American civilians and property at Bocas del Toro during a civil war.
1901 -- Colombia (State of Panama). November 20 to December 4. US forces protected American property on the Isthmus and kept transit lines open during serious revolutionary disturbances.
1900 -- China. May 24 to September 28. American troops participated in operations to protect foreign civilians during the Boxer rising, particularly at Peking. For many years after this experience, a permanent legation guard was maintained in Peking.
1899-1901 -- Philippine Islands. US forces protected American civilians and business interests following the war with Spain and conquered the islands by defeating the Filipinos in their war for independence. The exact number of Filipino men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown, but the number of dead was surely more than 200,000.
1899 -- Samoa. February-May 15. American and British naval forces were landed to protect civilians and business interests and to take part in a bloody contention over the succession to the throne.
1899 -- Nicaragua. American and British naval forces were landed to protect civilians and business 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.
1898-99 -- China. November 5, 1898 to March 15, 1899. US forces provided a guard for the legation at Peking and the consulate at Tientsin during contest between the Dowager Empress and her son.
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 USS Maine in the harbor at Havana. The sinking of the Maine was later proved to be an accident unrelated to the Spanish. The number of Spanish men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1898 -- Nicaragua. February 7 and 8. US forces protected American civilians and property at San Juan del Sur.
1896 -- Nicaragua. May 2 to 4. US forces protected American civilians and business interests in Corinto during political unrest.
1895 -- Colombia. March 8 to 9. US forces protected American civilians and business interests during an attack on the town of Bocas del Toro by a rebel chieftain.
1894-96 -- Korea. July 24, 1894 to April 3, 1896. A guard of marines was sent to protect the American legation and American civilians and business interests at Seoul during and following the Sino-Japanese War.
1894-95 -- China. A naval vessel was beached and used as a fort at Newchwang for protection of American civilians.
1894-95 -- China. Marines were stationed at Tientsin and penetrated to Peking for protection purposes during the Sino-Japanese War.
1894 -- Nicaragua. July 6 to August 7. US forces sought to protect American civilians and business interests at Bluefields following a revolution.
1894 -- Brazil. January. A display of naval force sought to protect American commerce and shipping at Rio de Janeiro during a Brazilian civil war.
1893 -- Hawaii. January 16 to April 1. Marines were landed ostensibly to protect American lives and property, but, many believe, actually to promote a provisional government under Sanford B. Dole.
1891 -- Chile. August 28 to 30. US forces protected the American consulate during a revolution in Valparaiso.
1891 -- Bering Strait. July 2 to October 5. Naval forces sought to stop seal poaching.
1891 -- Haiti. US forces sought to protect American civilians and property on Navassa Island.
1890 -- Argentina. A naval party landed to protect US consulate and legation in Buenos Aires.
1889 -- Hawaiian Islands. July 30 and 31. US forces protected American civilians and business interests at Honolulu during a revolution.
1888-89 -- Samoa. November 14, 1888, to March 20, 1889. US forces were landed to protect American citizens and the consulate during a native civil war.
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 -- 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.
1885 -- Panama (Colon) . January 18 and 19. US forces were used to guard the valuables in transit over the Panama Railroad, and the safes and vaults of the company during revolutionary activity.
1882 -- Egypt. July 14 to 18. American forces landed to protect American civilians and business interests during warfare between British and Egyptians and looting of the city of Alexandria by Arabs.
1876 -- Mexico. May 18. An American force was landed to police the town of Matamoras temporarily while it was without other government.
1874 -- Hawaiian Islands. February 12 to 20. Detachments from American vessels were landed to preserve order and protect American civilians and business interests during the coronation of a new king.
1873-96 -- Mexico. United States troops crossed the Mexican border repeatedly in pursuit of thieves and other brigands. There were some reciprocal pursuits by Mexican troops into border territory.
1873 -- Colombia (Bay of Panama) . May 7 to 22, September 23 to October 9. U.S. forces protected American civilians and business interests during hostilities between local groups over control of the government of the State of Panama.
1871 -- Korea. June 10 to 12. A US naval force attacked and captured five forts to punish natives for depredations on American civilians. The number of Korean men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1870 -- Hawaiian Islands. September 21. US 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.
1870 -- Mexico. June 17 and 18. US forces destroyed the pirate ship Forward, which had been run aground about 40 miles up the Rio Tecapan.
1868 -- Colombia. April. US 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.
1868 -- Uruguay. February 7 and 8, 19 to 26. US forces protected foreign residents and the customhouse during an insurrection at Montevideo.
1868 -- Japan (Osaka, Hiolo, Nagasaki, Yokohama, and Negata) . February 4 to 8, April 4 to May 12, June 12 and 13. US forces were landed to protect American civilians and business interests during the civil war in Japan.
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.
1867 -- Nicaragua. Marines occupied Managua and Leon.
1866 -- China. From June 20 to July 7, US 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 three days he was ordered by US Government to withdraw.
