There are few things I remember from my teen years, mostly because if it didn’t happen to me, I just don’t remember it. It seems to be that way for most teens…
Anyway, I do remember seeing on T.V. the dark skies where streaks of light were moving across the screen. It was the aerial assault of the allied forces attacking Iraq.
I also remember the black plumes of smoke after the oil wells were set on fire. It seemed so crazy that Iraq would set fire to the one thing they were fighting so hard to take control.
1991
On this day in 1991, a mere 29 years ago, American ground troops invaded Kuwait.
Most of you will remember this war by different names: Persian Gulf war, Gulf war, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield.
It started back in August of 1990. Iraq, led by then dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in order to take over the oil deposits and enlarge their territory. The United Nations, however, ordered Iraq to get out and gave them an ultimatum. By January 15, 1991, if Iraq didn’t leave, they would be made to leave.
Trade had already been banned by the United Nations, but it wasn’t enough to convince Iraq to release Kuwait.
For six weeks, the Allied Nations engaged in a massive air warfare tactics in order to deplete Iraq’s military, Desert Shield had become Desert Storm.
On February 24th, 1991, Operation Desert Sabre was put into motion. American and Allied soldiers were sent in on foot to take over. In three days, the combined allied forces had retaken Kuwait City as the Iraq forces crumbled.
Kuwait was liberated, Iraqi forces were either destroyed, surrendered or had retreated back to Iraq.
This success came with a price. 125 United States soldiers were killed in action, another 25 regarded as missing.
This victory came because of our ability to unite as a nation and agree to defend those that needed help. Unfortunately, this case as in others, peace talks don’t always work. Our military stepped up and always does when our country asks them to.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
