On Memorial Day, Pence Pays Tribute to Marines Lost in 1983 Beirut Bombing

Statement

This Memorial Day, Congressman Greg Pence (IN-06) paid tribute to the brave military personnel lost in the 1983 United States Marine Corps Barracks Bombing in introducing a resolution expressing support for the designation of a National Day of Remembrance on October 23, 2022, for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were killed or injured by the terrorist attack in Beirut, Lebanon, on October 23, 1983.

"We must always remain faithful. This Memorial Day, I am renewing my promise to never forget my fellow Marines and other service members we tragically lost that day by reintroducing this House Resolution in their honor," Pence said.

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

"I was shipped out of the Beirut barracks only days before this horrific attack. I was able to come home to my wife, who was expecting our first child, and my family in Columbus. Unfortunately, so many of my friends and fellow Marines were not able to do so. This day will forever be ingrained in my heart. I promised I would never forget them, and this is part of that promise," Congressman Pence explained.

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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