TARGETED: BEIRUT – THE 1983 MARINE BARRACKS BOMBING AND THE UNTOLD ORIGIN STORY OF THE WAR OF TERROR At dawn on Sunday, October 23, 1983, a truck laden with explosives crashed into the headquarters and barracks building of the U.S. Marine Corps peacekeeping force in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 American servicemen in the largest non-nuclear explosion on record. What followed is a story of resilience and heroism as warriors rose from the ashes to rescue their fellow brothers in arms in one of the

Thirty-six years ago a tragedy occurred that echoes today. Iran, the world's top sponsor of terrorism, still supports groups that pursue power at the expense of innocent lives. We honor the lives lost in the Beirut barracks bombings as we continue to work for peace in the region. | U.S. Department of State