"Lebanon, 1958 — America’s Forgotten First Military" Topic

… Adventure in the Middle East

"JULY 15, 1958 was a typical beautiful summer day in the eastern Mediterranean. Yet for 1,700 fully armed U.S. Marines aboard landing craft speeding towards the beaches of Beirut, Lebanon, the afternoon felt anything but idyllic. In fact, most were expecting to soon be in battle.

Supporting the Marines were 70 warships, including three aircraft carriers: the USS Essex, USS Wasp and USS Saratoga. As many as 10,000 additional troops waited at sea to go ashore after the first wave, while back in the United States, the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division was on alert in case still more soldiers were needed…"
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Amicalement
Armand

Evidently Tripoli doesn't count.

The elements of US ARMY's 1st ABG – 187th Inf ABN were also deployed there in '58 too … link

The operation involved more than 14,000 men, including 8,509 United States Army personnel, a contingent from the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry from the 24th Infantry Division and 5,670 officers and men of the United States Marine Corps (the 2nd Provisional Marine Force, of Battalion Landing Teams 1/8 and 2/2 under Brigadier General Sidney S. Wade).The 2nd Battalion 8th Marines arrived on July 16 after a 54-hour airlift from Cherry Point, North Carolina [3] They were supported by a fleet of 70 ships and 40,000 sailors.

Thanks my good friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

My father was a battalion adjutant at Camp Lejuene in 1956 during the Suez crisis. His battalion was to leave soon for extended exercises at Vieques Island followed by a Caribbean course. The battalion was "packed" and ready to go. About 2am (I forget which day) he got a phone call from the battalion OD. Everyone was to report to the battalion area ASAP. My mom got my brothers and I up; bundled us up and drove my dad and all of us to the battalion area. My brothers and I sat in the back of the car watching truck after truck pull up and loaded everyone on board. My dad came over and said good-bye to us and was then gone. Apparently the battalion was being sent to re-enforce the Sixth Fleet. I vaguely remember at that time Lebanon was mentioned as a possible destination.

The day after that my mom got a phone call from my dad who was in Norfolk. Their deployment to the Med was cancelled. They were docked at Norfolk. He stated we could come up and visit him. My mom loaded us all in the car and drove to Norfolk through part of the Great Dismal Swamp. An exciting drive.