Operation Blue Bat
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| Lebanon crisis of 1958 | |||||||||
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| Combatants | |||||||||
 United States |
Insurgency | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 8,509 U.S. Army soldiers 5,670 USMC marines U.S. Sixth Fleet |
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| Casualties | |||||||||
| Four dead (Three by accident, one from hostile fire) | |||||||||
Operation Blue Bat was the name given to the 1958 operation in which the United States intervened in the Lebanon crisis.
Contents |
[edit] Background
In 1958, tensions in Lebanon had risen amongst its Muslim population over the country's alignment with the western powers, as well as suspicion that President Camille Chamoun sought to alter the Constitution to extend the length of time under which he could serve as President. Though some believe the United States supported him in this effort, review of FRUS indicates Eisenhower was adamant this not occur. Nevertheless, this suspicion did affect Lebanese civilians behavior. Sunni Muslims pushed for Lebanon to join the newly formed United Arab Republic (then composed of Egypt and Syria), but pro-west supporters, including President Camille Chamoun refused. After the pro-west monarchy in Iraq was fell in a coup in the same year and faced with a rebellion by Muslims, Chamoun asked the United States for help.
[edit] The operation
In response, President Dwight D. Eisenhower dispatched a mixed force on July 15, 1958, comprised of over fourteen thousand soldiers from both the army, Marine Corps and supported by the Sixth Fleet of the United States Navy and the United States Air Force to bolster the Lebanese government from threat of coup. The operation called for Beirut International Airport to be secured first, followed by the city's port and all roads leading between the two and the city itself.
[edit] Aftermath
The operation, in conjunction with the resignation of Chamoun as President of Lebanon and his replacement by Fuad Chehab was largely a success. Tensions faded and the government was secured under new leadership. The operation ended on October 25 of the same year. Casualties were remarkably light, with only three soldiers dying in accidents and one killed by a sniper.
