I served with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Amphibious Unit. I first arrived in Beirut, Lebanon after just turning 19 years old for my first tour during October 1982 until February 1983. I assisted with the training of the Lebanese forces. I also planned, coordinated, and completed multiple day and night patrols through Beirut during this time as well. My second tour was February to August of 1984. I was a Ferret team leader providing additional security around the joint American/British Embassy. I lost a lot of friends during this time. Every time I hear the song “Gloria,” I instantly remember scenes and experiences in Beirut. It was the favorite song of Armed Forces Radio at the time. The photo above was taken during the Christmas of 1982 at a location near the Beirut International Airport.

Photo and story submitted by James M. Smith on May 24th, 2002.

When John Nash decided to reenlist, there was a single group of people he wanted there for the ceremony. They couldn’t come to him, so the master sergeant did the next best thing.

He went to them.

Nash selected the Beirut Memorial, at the entrance to Camp Johnson, as the site for Friday’s ceremony, and he asked his little brother to do the honors of swearing him in.

The events of almost 20 years ago bind them together – living and dead.

John Nash is one of the few survivors of the 1983 bombing of the Marine Corps Barracks in Lebanon that took more than 270 American lives, most of them Marines from the 24th MEU based in Jacksonville.

Nash’s brother, 1st Lt. William Nash, wasn’t even in his teens when the attack happened, but the event has changed both their lives.

“When I was asked this morning why I stayed in the Marine Corps this long… this is why I am staying in,” he said gesturing to the wall that lists the names of the victims.

“By my getting emotional today, well it happens every time. I actually try and avoid this wall. When I got back 19 years ago, being one of the survivors of that blast… well I got a lot of support from my family and my little brother.”

“He was 12-years-old at the time of the blast, and I’ve got him on an audio tape … his squeaky little voice told me ‘I’m going to join the Marine Corps, just like you.’ And when he graduated high school, he joined the Marine Corps. It was his resolve because of what happened in Beirut 19 years ago, and when I salute him, I salute him with the utmost respect.”

“At that young age, (Beirut) is why he decided he was going to join the Marine Corps.

“What made me stay in the Marine Corps, is what I believe was the big influence for him to join the Marine Corps, and as you see now, he has passed me up in rank, which is one of the most prideful things I say. That’s my little brother, and I love him to death.

“The names of the folks on this wall should be here too. I would give the world if these Marines could be here as well, but that will never happen,” Nash said.

“All these Marines and Sailors were killed without warning, doing the same thing Marines are doing today out with the different MEUs. When I reenlisted the first time, which I did not plan on enlisting, this is what made up my mind.”

Another of the reasons Nash decided to have a more public display for his reenlistment was he wanted to pass along the history of the Beirut Bombing to Marines who might not have even been born when it happened.

“They need to know the history,” he said.

Peter Williams
Liberty Editor
Jacksonville, North Carolina
June 14, 2002