Large USMC Beirut Grouping

[Nkomo]

As collectors, we occasionally run across an item or a grouping that we would never sell no matter what. This just so happens to be one of those type of groupings. I recently bought this grouping off of a friend of mine. He got it off a Lt. Col. in the USMC. In 1983, he was a 1st Lt. and he was also a member of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. I think his letter of continuity (27 Dec 1984) from could say it better than I ever could. It reads as follows:

"From 27 May to 7 December, he was assigned to Company "A" 1/8 as a forward observer and a member of the Multi-National Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. During this period he also served as both an infantry and weapons Platoon Commander. During a heavy rocket/mortar attack on 29 August 1983 he clearly demonstrated his resolve as a leader when, despite being wounded, he refused to be medevaced until his FO team was treated first.

First Lt. S performed superbly as the escort officer for the body of 2ndLt. G. L., killed in action, 29 August 1983, at the Beirut International Airport. For his professional service he received a letter of appreciation from the OIC Marine Corps Reserve Center, Greensboro, NC.

On 3 October 1983 First Lt. S was reassigned as the Assistant Executive Officer to Battery "C", 1/10 and assumed the additional duties of BLT 1/8 Reaction Force Platoon Commander. On 17 October 1983 his Reaction Force retrieved a medical convoy returning from the U.S. Embassy where a car bomb wounded several Navy and Marine personnel.

On 23 October 1983, following the BLT bombing, First Lt. S was tasked with establishing security around the blast site. His mission was to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and prohibit terrorists from initiating a second strike. Despite intense sniper fire, no additional casualties occured."

This Marine was also a Battery Commander for Battery "B" 1st BN. (REIN) 12th Marines during Desert Storm. The list of his assignments and achievements goes on and on. As far as medals, he earned the following: Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", Purple Heart, Meritotious Service Medal with Gold Star, Navy and Marine Commedation Medal, Army Commedation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters, and the Combat Action Ribbon with Gold Star.

The pictures that follow are items that he brought back from Lebanon.

The first picture is of a USMC wooden emblem recovered from one of the office spaces from destroyed BLT Headquarters (BLT 1/8 HQs destroyed by terrorist bomb 23 October 1983)

[Nkomo]

The next picture is as follows:

1. Two saucers/plates from Marine Security Guard Detachment Mess (U.S. Embassy Beirut, Lebanon destroyed by terrorist bomb on 18 April 1983)

2. Two Lebanon brass plates

3. Autographed Lebanese door flag- presented to him in Nov 1983 by Lebanese soldiers

4.Lebanese Army Command Post Flag- also used as a Armored Personnel Carrier flag

[Nkomo]

Third picture is as follows:

1. M19 Binoculars- used by him as an Artillery Forward Observer. 1st Lt. S was wearing these the day he was wounded.

2. Bundle USMC bumper stickers

3. Soviet AK bayonet- captured 8 August 1983 from a Druse Militiaman.

4. 2 yellow cards entitled "The Title" dated 1990.

[Nkomo]

Fourth picture is as follows:

1. 1967 dated mosquito net used by him in Lebanon

2. Official photo and tracking chart of the USS Harlan County LST 1196 that transported Company "A" Ist Bn 8th Marines to Lebanon.

3. Official 1/8 Lebanon pre-deployment handbook

[Nkomo]

Fifth picture is of "A Marine's Eulogy" prepared specefically for the families of those killed during the bombing of the BLT Headquarters. If anyone needs a clearer shot of this one, let me know.

[Nkomo]

Sixth picture is of several 1983 copies of "The Globe" and a 1999 copy of "The Globe"

[Manchu Warrior]

No matter what for some reason I can't seem to sell anything.

[Nkomo]

Seventh picture is as follows:

1."C" Company 1/* BLT cruise book from Beirut, Lebanon 1983

2. Copy of "Peacekeepers at War"

3. Autographed copy of "The Root" by Eric Hammel. This book was autographed from the author to 1st Lt. S. This book mentions the 1st Lt. numerous times.

4. Official letterhead stationary from the terrorist bombed American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon April 1983.

5. French Foreign Legion (Airborne Combat Engineer) Lebanese deployment book.

6. Official USMC history of the USMC in Lebanon 1982-1984

[Nkomo]

Eighth picture is as follows:

1. Masonry chunk from destroyed BLT Headquarters (BLT 1/8 HQs destroyed 23 October 1983)

2. Metal chunk from destroyed BLT Headquarters (BLT 1/8 HQs destroyed 23 October 1983)

3. Ball bearing from destroyed T-55 tank

[Nkomo]

Last picture is of a photograph taken from British outpost of the 23 October 1983 bombing.

[Brian Keith]

That's some good stuff there. We have a few things from a Beirut Vet, he woke up in the hospital.

BKW

[dkrem1227]

I am in the book that you show in the Picture... Charlie Company 1/8. All of my stuff was lost in a move... wondering if that one might have been mine at one time! If you ever decide to sell it, please let me know. Thanks. Daniel Kremer CCO 1/8 Weapons Plt.

[firefighter]

I remember when that bombing happened.Tragic loss of life. Semper Fi Marines & RIP.

[dkrem1227]

Semer fi!

[Patriot12]

Very nice grouping.