Ahead of Memorial Day, Congressman Greg Pence Honors Those Lost in 1983 Beirut Bombing Attack on U.S. Marines

Press Release

Ahead of Memorial Day, Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) led the introduction of a resolution before the U.S. House of Representatives honoring the lives of military personnel tragically lost in the 1983 Beirut Bombing carried out on U.S. Marine barracks. The resolution, H.Res. 442, expresses support for the designation of October 23, 2021, as a national day of remembrance.

"This Memorial Day, we must remember the ultimate sacrifice these American heroes made to protect and preserve our freedom -- in what was the deadliest day for the Marine Corps since the Battle of Iwo Jima," Pence said.

Congressman Pence, a United States Marine Corps and Beirut Veteran, was joined by six colleagues who signed onto the resolution. The bipartisan cosponsors include Representatives Seth Moulton (D-MA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Mike Bost (R-IL), Jack Bergman (R-MI), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) -- all of whom are fellow Marines.

"As a commissioned veteran of the region shipped out just before this horrific attack, I will remember this day for as long as I shall live. Many of my fellow Marines never made it back home, and with this resolution I am renewing my promise that we will never forget them." Pence continued.

Congressman Pence served in the Marines from 1979 to 1984 and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines. In 1983, his battalion was ordered to Beirut, Lebanon. That October, an Iranian national drove a truck bomb into the U.S. Marine Barracks -- prompting the Iranian-backed terror group, Hezbollah, to take credit. The attack claimed the lives of 241 American service members including 220 Marines.

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