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It seems like American troops are engaged all over the world. Here
are some pictures of our troops in action:
A
sailor fires M-60 at Guantanamo Bay Cuba
Picture Source: DOD
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Army
patrolling Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Picture Source: DOD
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Scanning
airport at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Picture Source: DOD
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Immunizing a soldier against smallpox
Picture Source: DOD
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US
Army Vet treats goat in Sayed, Afghanistan
Picture Source: DOD
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Measuring
the boot size of an Afghani recruit
Picture Source: DOD
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US
Troops on horseback with Afghans in Afghanistan
Picture Source: DOD
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US
Troops use pack animals in Afghanistan
Picture Source: DOD
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Secretary
of Defense Rumsfeld landing in Afghanistan.
Picture Source: US Army
|
 Patrolling
in Afghanistan
Picture Source: US Army |
 Patrolling
Iraq
Picture Source: US Army |
 On
Patrol in Bagdad at night
Picture Source: US Army |
| Paratrooper
keeps watch atop Iraqi Police Station
Picture Source: US Army
|
Forward
observers in Iraq
Picture Source: US Army
|
 Blowing
up munitions in Iraq
Picture Source: US Army |
Explosive
charges found by artillery shells in Iraq
Picture Source: US Army
|

Patrol climbs hill in Baghdad
Picture Source: US Army |
 Patrolling
Ramaadia Iraq
Picture Source: US Army |
US
Army in Korea
Picture Source: US Army
|
 Osan
Air Base, Republic of Korea
Picture Source: US Army |
Moving
troops in Korea
Picture Source: US Army
|
Before we invaded Iraq the second time, there were over 500,000 US
troops and their dependants stationed abroad. By 1993 there were 234
instances in which the US has used its armed forces abroad. The following
text is taken in whole from the US Navy, Naval Historical Center
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.
1801-05 -- Tripoli. The First Barbary War included the USS George Washington
and USS 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.
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. Thus U.S. advanced into disputed territory
to the Perdido River, as projected in 1810. No fighting.
1813-14 -- Marguesas 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 by the opponents
but not by the United States. Congress authorized an expedition. 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 resort 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 USS. 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 USS 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 USS 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 TA.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 expedition made a display
of force leading to the "opening of Japan" and the Perry Expedition.
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 mistreatment
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 USS 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 -- 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.
1866 -- China. From June 20 to July 7, U.S. forces punished an assault
on the American consul at Newchwang.
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 over the abolition
of the Shogunate and the restoration of the Mikado.
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 over
possession of the government of the State of Panama.
1873 -- Mexico. United States troops crossed the Mexican border repeatedly
in pursuit of cattle and other thieves. 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. Marine guard was 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 Marine
guard 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. A marine guard was established
in November over 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 protect 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 Kuomintang rebellion
in 1912, which were redirected by the invasion of China by Japan and
finally ended by war between Japan and the United States in 1941, 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 and threatened insurrection.
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 insurrection
and subsequent unsettled conditions. Most of the Uni 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 s 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 USS 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 -- China -- August and September. The Nationalist attack on Han
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 Nation
forces captured Kiukiang, naval forces were landed for the protection
of foreigners November 4 to 6.
1926-33 -- Nicaragua -- May 7 to June 5, 1926; August 27, 1926, to
January 1933. The coup d'etat of General Chamorro aroused revolutionary
activities leading to the landing of American marines to protect the
interests of United States. United States forces came and went intermittently
until January 3, 1933. Their work included activity against the outlaw
leader
Sandino in 1928.
1927 -- China -- February. Fighting at Shanghai caused American naval
forces and marines to be increased. In March a naval guard was stationed
at 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
forces 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 Machada
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
1941 -- Germany. Sometime in the spring the President ordered the Navy
to patrol ship lanes to Europe. By July U.S. warships were conveying
and September were attacking German submarines. In November, the Neutrality
Act was partially 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 Romania. 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.
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.
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.
1959-60 -- The Caribbean. 2d Marine Ground Task Force was deployed
to protect U.S. nationals during the Cuban crisis.
1962 -- Cuba. President Kennedy instituted a "quarantine"
on the shipment of offensive missiles to Cuba from the Soviet Union.
He also warned Soviet Union that the launching of any missile from Cuba
against nations 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 -- Thailand. The 3d Marine Expeditionary Unit landed on May 17,
1962 to support that country during the threat of Communist pressure
from outside; by Jul 30 the 5000 marines had been withdrawn.
1962-75 -- Laos. From October 1962 until 1976, the United States played
a role of military support in Laos.
1964 -- Congo. The United States sent four transport planes to provide
airlift for Congolese troops during a rebellion and to transport Belgian
paratroopers to rescue foreigners.
1964-73 -- Vietnam War. U.S. military advisers had been in South Vietnam
a decade, and their numbers had been increased as the military position
the Saigon government became weaker. After the attacks on U.S. destroyers
in the Tonkin Gulf, President Johnson asked 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 attacks 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 in 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. (Note 3)
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.
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 U.S. citizen crew which
was seized from 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
military personnel were killed while in the demilitarized zone between
North and South Korea for the purpose of 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
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. Navy forces operating in the Persian Gulf and adopted a policy
of reflagging and escorting Kuwaiti oil tankers through the Gulf. President
Reagan reported that U.S. 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 USS 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 -- 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 Mnshasa. 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 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 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 occured 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-Hercegovina. On February 28, 1993, the United States
bagan an airdrop of relief supplies aimed at Muslims surrounded by Serbian
forces in Bosnia.
1993 -- Bosnia-Hercegovina. 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. warplanes had bombed or fired
missiles at Iraqi anti-aircraft sites which had tracked U.S. aricraft.
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. The quick reaction force was
part of the U.S. contribution to a success 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. armed forces to Macedonia to participate in the
U.N. Protection Force to help maintain stability in the area of former
Yugoslavia.
(Note 1.) This list through 1975 is reprinted with few changes from:
U.S. Congress. House. Committee on International Relations [now Foreign
Affairs]. Subcommittee on International Security and Scientific Affairs.
Background Information on the Use of U.S. Armed Forces in Foreign Countries,
1975 Revision. Committee print, 94th Congress, Ist session. Prepared
by the Foreign Affairs Division, Congressional Research Service, Library
of Congress. Washington, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1975. 84 p.
(Note 2.) Other 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.
(Note 3.) This and subsequent mentions of Presidential reports refer
to reports the President has submitted to Congress that might be considered
pursuant to 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: Eighteen
Years of Experience, CRS Report 92- 133 F; or The War Powers Resolution:
Presidential Compliance, CRS Issue Brief IB81050, updated regularly.
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