COA - 3rd Engineer Bn - Lebanon Civil War w AFEM SVC T-Shirt

In July 1958 it looked like Lebanon (a US ally at the time) would descend into a civil war, caused by increased tension between moderate christians and muslims. Lebanon had a moderate, pro-western government at the time. Fearing that his government would topple to a muslim rebellion, the Lebanese President called on the US for help. Enter "Operation Blue Bat". US Army Europe already had a contingency plan for rapidly deploying forces to respond to a crisis in the mid-east. The plan called for nearly 14,000 Soldiers and Marines, with most of the Army personnel coming from the 24th Airborne Brigade of the 24th Division. The Army element was known as "Task Force 201". The US Soldiers and Marines arrived in Lebanon in late July of 1958