United States Invades Grenada on 25 October 1983 On the morning of 25 October 1983, U.S. forces launched a military operation in Grenada, citing the need to protect foreign nationals—primarily American students at St George’s University—restore democratic governance, and remove Cuban and Soviet influence from the island. The operation, known as Operation Urgent Fury, was carried out after a series of violent incidents on 19 October that prompted the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to intervene. Article 8 of the 1981 OECS Treaty, which the People’s Revolutionary Government of Grenada had signed, allowed member states to defend one another against external aggression. Although the treaty did not authorize intervention in internal affairs, the OECS, together with Barbados and Jamaica, requested U.S. assistance. Governor‑General Sir Paul Scoon formally requested that the United States and OECS intervene militarily. The U.S. led a multinational force that included a Caribbean Peacekeeping Force of 400–450 paramilitary and police personnel. Major U.S. operations targeted the new runway at Point Salines (Maurice Bishop International Airport), Pearls Airport, Government House, and the Richmond Hill Prisons. By 31 October, U.S. forces had secured Grenada; Carriacou and Petite Martinique were secured on 2 November without combat. Casualties were significant. Of the Cuban fighters who engaged U.S. forces, 59 were wounded and 634 were captured and later repatriated. Grenadian casualties numbered approximately 40, including 24 civilians—16 of whom were mental patients killed when the U.S. mistakenly bombed the mental hospital at Fort Matthew—and at least 14 soldiers. A monument to the 24 civilian victims was erected at Maurice Bishop International Airport in 2015, and a monument to the soldiers was erected at St George’s Cemetery in 2013. About 350 civilians were wounded. U.S. forces suffered 19 fatalities and 152 wounded; memorials for the U.S. casualties are located on the St George’s University campus and at the airport. The invasion sparked widespread protests and international debate, raising questions about the legitimacy of the intervention and the U.S. military’s control of media coverage during the operation. The event has been referred to by several names, including Operation Urgent Fury, Rescue Mission, Intervention, and “Intervasion” (a term coined by journalist Alister Hughes to reflect the ambiguity between invasion and intervention). Since the invasion, 25 October has been observed as Thanksgiving Day in Grenada. Source: John Angus Martin, A‑Z of Grenada Heritage.
Article source: NOW Grenada | Image credit: NOW Grenada