Appendix G:
Unit Commendations


The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

MEDITERRANEAN AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUP 2-82
AND
THIRTY-SECOND MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service in a mission of great importance to the Government of the United States from 16 August 1982 to 10 September 1982 which resulted in the cessation of armed conflict between Israeli and Syrian and Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Forces. On 25 August 1982, elements of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 2-82 and THIRTY-SECOND Marine Amphibious Unit conducted a flawless landing from the sea into the Port of Beirut, Lebanon. On occupying the Port, elements of the THIRTY-SECOND Marine Amphibious Unit, serving as the United States contingent of a multinational force, immediately commenced the supervision of the evacuation of 6,436 PLO and Syrian combatants. The superior performance and tireless dedication of all personnel reflected the epitome of professionalism and exceeded the performance normally expected. The total success of the mission contributed visibly and significantly to the United States' objectives of world peace and Middle East stability. By their steadfast courage, resourcefulness, and unwavering devotion to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 2-82 and THIRTY-SECOND Marine Amphibious Unit reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/s/ John Lehman
Secretary of the Navy

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The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

MEDITERRANEAN AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUP 3-82
AND
MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT 24

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service from 29 October 1982 to 15 February 1983 in a mission of great national and international importance while serving as the United States Forces Ashore Lebanon and supporting forces of the Multinational Force peace initiatives in Lebanon. on 29 October 1982, Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 3-82 and Marine Amphibious Unit 24 conducted a combined surface and helo landing across Black Beach and the International Airport of Beirut, Lebanon and immediately commenced coordinated motorized and foot patrols with other Multinational Force contingents throughout the City of Beirut. Simultaneously with operations ashore, Amphibious Task Force helicopters provided special support to the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon and special Presidential envoys, and provided major logistics lifts from Air Support Head at Larnaca, Cyprus, to Beirut. Their superior performance and tireless devotion contributed significantly to the national objectives of world peace and Middle East stability. By their resolute determination, unrelenting perseverance, and steadfast dedication to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group 3-82 and Marine Amphibious Unit 24 reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/s/ John Lehman
Secretary of the Navy

--186--

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

COMMANDER AMPHIBIOUS SQUADRON 2
AND
TWENTY-SECOND MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service from 14 February 1983 to 30 May 1983 in a mission of great national and international importance while serving as the United States Forces Ashore Lebanon and supporting forces of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon. Shortly after arrival, the Amphibious Task Force was requested to conduct and carry out humanitarian relief operations to assist the Lebanese Government in dealing with the effects of a severe snowstorm in the mountainous areas of Central Lebanon. On 18 April 1983, following the catastrophic destruction of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut by terrorist bombing, Amphibious Task Force Units rapidly and decisively provided lifesaving assistance, security, and communications support and follow-on security for all Embassy operations in Beirut. Simultaneously with operations ashore, the Amphibious Task Force provided helicopter and special security support for the Secretary of State, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, and special Presidential Envoys. The total success of the mission contributed visibly and significantly to the national objectives of world peace and Middle East stability. By their resolute determination, steadfast perseverance, and selfless devotion to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Commander Amphibious Squadron TWO and TWENTY-SECOND Marine Amphibious Unit reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/s/ John Lehman
Secretary of the Navy

--187--

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

MEDITERRANEAN AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUP (MARG) 2-83
AND
24TH MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service in support of U.S. peace initiatives in Lebanon from 28 May 1983 to 19 November 1983. Performing a difficult mission to ensure stability during a period of complex political and life-threatening conditions in Lebanon, the units of U.S. Peacekeeping Forces Lebanon displayed exceptional courage, resolve, and flexibility in providing supporting actions and evidence of U.S. national concern, often in the face of danger to personnel and equipment, to provide conditions in which the duly constituted Government of Lebanon could survive. Displaying superb dedication and flexibility in the face of hostile fire, the Navy and Marine Corps units ensured and supported conditions to permit the vital work of diplomacy to go forward and the Government of Lebanon to remain intact. With extraordinary heroism, the 24th Marine Amphibious Unit (24TH MAU) made possible conditions for national reconciliation in an area vital to U.S. national security. On 23 October 1983, the 24TH MAU suffered unprecedented personnel losses of approximately 330 killed and wounded as a result of terrorist bombing of the 24TH MAU Headquarters building. In the face of this adversity, they continued to fulfill their assigned mission while carrying out rescue and evacuation efforts. By their exceptional courage, perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty, the officer and enlisted personnel of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG 2-83) and 24th Marine Amphibious Unit reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/s/ John Lehman
Secretary of the Navy

--188--

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

MEDITERRANEAN AMPHIBIOUS READY GROUP (MARG) 1-84
AND
22ND MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT (MAU)

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For exceptionally meritorious service against a heavily armed rebel force threatening the personal safety of American citizens and the established Government of Grenada, and in subsequent operations with the Multinational Force, Lebanon, from 20 October 1983 to 26 February 1984. Through calculated forethought and incisive action by the officers and men of Task Force ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR (Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group [MARG] 1-84 and 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit [MAU]), the lives of hundreds of American civilians were saved, rebel forces were subdued, and the Government of Grenada restored. While serving with the Multinational Force, Lebanon, these units maintained a positive U.S. presence under the most demanding circumstances during a period of extremely dynamic, interrelated, and complex political instability. Demonstrating determined resolve in the face of open hostilities, MARG 1-84/22ND MAU dramatically improved defensive positions, provided support for diplomatic efforts, evacuated U.S. civilians, foreign nationals, and non-essential support personnel,and repositioned U.S. Multinational Forces. By their selfless determination, exceptional performance, personal sacrifice, and steadfast devotion to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG) 1-84and the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit (MAU) reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/s/ John Lehman
Secretary of the Navy

--189--

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION to

TASK GROUP 61.8
AND
31ST MARINE AMPHIBIOUS UNIT

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For meritorious service while serving as afloat support to U.S. Peacekeeping Forces Lebanon from 12 September 1983 to 10 October 1983 during their mission to ensure stability during a period of complex political and life-threatening conditions in Lebanon. Throughout this arduous period, Task Group 61.8 and 31st Marine Amphibious Unit maintained active presence offshore in a state of total readiness to reinforce when called upon for support. Their unrelenting commitment provided evidence of U.S. national concern to enable conditions in which the duly constituted government of Lebanon could survive. By their resolute determination, courage and complete dedication to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of Task Force 61.8 and 31st Marine Amphibious Unit reflected credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

/s/ John Lehman
Secretary of the Navy

--190--

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