OPERATION JUST CAUSE (1989)
Shortly after taking office in 1988, President George H. W. Bush announced that the United States would no longer continue its support of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, a known drug trafficker. In response to economic sanctions, Noriega declared that a state of war existed between Panama and the United States. On the night of December 19, 1988, Navy SEALS, Army Rangers and other combat elements launched airborne and seaborne invasions to capture and depose Manuel Noriega code named Operation Just Cause. In a prepared speech to the nation the following day, President Bush outlined the reasons for the military action:
To safeguard American citizens living in Panama
To defend democracy and human rights in Panama
To combat drug trafficking in Panama
To protect the integrity of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties that established the neutrality of the Panama Canal Zone.
The largest military action since the Vietnam War, more than 50,000 troops supported by more than 300 aircraft participated in the action that successfully captured Noriega and accomplished the remainder of its objectives in a two-week period. Sporadic but bitter fighting resulted in 23 Americans Killed in Action and 325 wounded. Two Navy SEALS earned the Navy Cross in that action and THIRTEEN members of the multi-branch force were awarded Silver Stars.
SURNAME
Owens
FORENAME
Wilson Black (Sonny)
UNIT
Company B 1 Bn
RANK
Chief Warrant Officer Second Class
NUMBER
AWARD
Silver Star
PLACE
Panama, 1989
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
See Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Fladry
FORENAME
Robert Ray
UNIT
Company A
RANK
Chief Warrant Officer
NUMBER
AWARD
Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross
PLACE
Panama, 1989 (SS), 1987 (DFC)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 16.01.1950, Pennsylvania
resided Union City, Pennsylvania
2 x tours Vietnam, Grenada...
SURNAME
Casey
FORENAME
Thomas William
UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 4
RANK
Lieutenant,junior grade
NUMBER
AWARD
Navy Cross
PLACE
Panama 1989
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
graduated U.S. Naval Academy,Annapolis 1987
SURNAME
Owens
FORENAME
Wilson Black (Sonny)
UNIT
Company B 1 Bn
RANK
Chief Warrant Officer Second Class
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
29
GRAVESITE
Southern Palms Memorial Gardens, North Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina, USA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...
SURNAME
Hunter
FORENAME
John Russell
UNIT
1 Bn (HQ - Assistant S3)
RANK
First Lieutenant
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
30
GRAVESITE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 28.1.1959 Libby,Montana
joined Army 1976
Company B 1 Bn SOAR 1986 (Warrant Officer) (pilot)
1 Bn...
SURNAME
Hunter
FORENAME
John Russell
UNIT
1 Bn (HQ - Assistant S3)
RANK
First Lieutenant
NUMBER
AWARD
Silver Star,Legion of Merit
PLACE
Panama 1989
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA - see Roll of Honour
SURNAME
Price
FORENAME
John Mark
UNIT
75 Ranger Regiment (A Company 2 Bn)
RANK
Private First Class
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
GRAVESITE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
KIA Panama
SURNAME
Markwell
FORENAME
James William
UNIT
75 Ranger Regiment (C Company 1 Bn)
RANK
Private First Class
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Oak Hills Cemetery, Cincinatti, Ohio
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Sharonville, Ohio
born 29.05.1968...
SURNAME
Lear
FORENAME
Phillip Scott
UNIT
75 Ranger Regiment (B Company 2 Bn)
RANK
Specialist
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
21
GRAVESITE
Oconee Memorial Park and Mausoleum, Seneca, South Carolina, USA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
resided Westminster, South Carolina...
SURNAME
Brown
FORENAME
Roy Dennis,Jr
UNIT
75 Ranger Regiment (A Company 3 Bn)
RANK
Private First Class
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
19
GRAVESITE
Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Orange, Orange County, California, USA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 21.03.1970, Orange...
SURNAME
Barnard
FORENAME
Larry Roy
UNIT
75 Ranger Regiment (B Company 3 Bn)
RANK
Staff Sergeant
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
29
GRAVESITE
Rose Hill Cemetery, Hallstead, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, USA
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 08.12.1960...
SURNAME
Tilghman
FORENAME
Christopher Taylor
UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 4
RANK
Boatswains Mate First Class
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
20th December 1989
AGE
30
GRAVESITE
Tabernacle Methodist Church Cemetery, Townsville, North Carolina
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 2.12.1959 Auckland...
SURNAME
Rodriguez
FORENAME
Isaac George III (Ike)
UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 4
RANK
Torpedomans Mate Second Class
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
19th December 1989
AGE
24
GRAVESITE
Houston National Cemetery,Texas Section J Site 747
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 22.3.1965
KIA Panama...
SURNAME
McFaul
FORENAME
Donald Lewis
UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 4
RANK
Chief Engineman
NUMBER
541641184
DATE OF DEATH
19th December 1989
AGE
32
GRAVESITE
cremated and ashes buried at sea
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Bend,Oregon
born 20.9.1957 Long Beach,California
son of Mrs...
SURNAME
Conners
FORENAME
John P.
UNIT
U.S.N. Seal Team 4
RANK
Lieutenant Junior Grade
NUMBER
DATE OF DEATH
21st December 1989
AGE
---
GRAVESITE
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
from Arlington,Massachusetts
son of Joan Conners
KIA Panama (op.Just Cause)
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