1958 Lebanon Crisis: (1) Operation Blue Bat

“It’s better than Korea, but what the hell is it?”(*)

Lebanese people greeting a USMC LVTP-5 entering Beirut.
Lebanese people greeting a USMC LVTP-5 entering Beirut.
A USMC LVTP-5 and M38A1 Jeeps entering Beirut. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17458)
A USMC LVTP-5 and M38A1 Jeeps entering Beirut. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17458)
USMC LVTP-5 on Lebanese shores
USMC LVTP-5 on Lebanese shores
USMC LVTP-5 landing vehicles, north of Beirut, Antelias area.
USMC LVTP-5 landing vehicles, north of Beirut, Antelias area.
Lebanese crowd visiting USMC LVTP-5 landing vehicles, north of Beirut, Antelias area.
Lebanese crowd visiting USMC LVTP-5 landing vehicles, north of Beirut, Antelias area.
A Lebanese family visiting a USMC LVTP-5
A Lebanese family visiting a USMC LVTP-5
a USMC LVTP-5 crew taking a break
a USMC LVTP-5 crew taking a break
A USMC LVTP-5 stationed next to a Marines military spot near Beirut harbor. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17500)
A USMC LVTP-5 stationed next to a Marines military spot near Beirut harbor. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17500)
A convoy composed of a USMC LVTP-5 and M35 cargo trucks, Beirut.
A convoy composed of a USMC LVTP-5 and M35 cargo trucks, Beirut.
USMC LVTP-5 and M48A1 entering Beirut through Najib Ardati Street.
USMC LVTP-5 and M48A1 entering Beirut through Najib Ardati Street.
A USMC M48A1 entering Beirut through Najib Ardati Street. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17462)
A USMC M48A1 entering Beirut through Najib Ardati Street. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17462)
A USMC M48A1 in Beirut
A USMC M48A1 in Beirut
Lebanese people wave to USMC M48A1 entering Beirut
Lebanese people wave to USMC M48A1 entering Beirut
A USMC M48A1 on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
A USMC M48A1 on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
USMC M48A1 tanks on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
USMC M48A1 tanks on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
A USMC M48A1 on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
A USMC M48A1 on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
A US Army M48A1near Beirut.
A US Army M48A1near Beirut.
A USMC M55 self propelled howitzer on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M55 self propelled howitzer on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M55 self propelled howitzer on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M55 self propelled howitzer on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M50 Ontos on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M50 Ontos on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M50 Ontos patrolling in Lebanese hills overlooking the Mediterranean sea. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A18134)
A USMC M50 Ontos patrolling in Lebanese hills overlooking the Mediterranean sea. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A18134)
Lebanese A rmy officers riding on top of a USMC M50 Ontos landing on Byblos shores during the first joint Lebanese-American exercise held on September 10 1958. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17399)
Lebanese Army officers riding on top of a USMC M50 Ontos landing on Byblos shores during the first joint Lebanese-American exercise held on September 10 1958. (DEFENSE DEPT. PHOTO (MARINE CORPS) A17399)
A US Army M274 Mechanical Mule at Beirut International Airport.
A US Army M274 Mechanical Mule at Beirut International Airport.
A US Army M274 Mechanical Mule at Beirut International Airport.
A US Army M274 Mechanical Mule at Beirut International Airport.
A USMC M51 Dump truck on a coastal road.
A USMC M51 Dump truck on a coastal road.
US Army M34 cargo trucks on Lebanese shores.
US Army M34 cargo trucks on Lebanese shores.
US Army M37 trucks and M38 Jeeps at Beirut International Airport.
US Army M37 trucks and M38 Jeeps at Beirut International Airport.
USMC M38A1 Jeeps and M35 cargo trucks reembarking. Note the Confederate flag on the cargo truck.
USMC M38A1 Jeeps and M35 cargo trucks reembarking. Note the Confederate flag on the cargo truck.
A USMC M49 fuel truck on Lebanese shores.
A USMC M49 fuel truck on Lebanese shores.
US Army M38 Jeeps and M59 APC.
US Army M38 Jeeps and M59 APC.
Navy Seabees offloading USMC M35 cargo trucks and equipment in Lebanon, 1958
Navy Seabees offloading USMC M35 cargo trucks and equipment in Lebanon, 1958
USMC M35 cargo trucks next to Saint Georges hotel, Beirut.
USMC M35 cargo trucks next to Saint Georges hotel, Beirut.
USMC M38A1 Jeeps on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
USMC M38A1 Jeeps on Lebanese shores north of Beirut, Antelias area.
US Army M38A1 Jeeps near Beirut.
US Army M38A1 Jeeps near Beirut.
US Army M38A1 Jeeps near Beirut.
US Army M38A1 Jeeps near Beirut.
A USMC M38A1 Jeep in Beirut streets.
A USMC M38A1 Jeep in Beirut streets.
A USMC M38A1 Jeep in Beirut streets.
A USMC M38A1 Jeep in Beirut streets.

Sources: Google Life photo archive, Defense Dept. Photo (Marine Corps) & Personal Archives

(*): These words were expressed by a combat ready Marine while landing on Khalde beach and after seeing bikini-clad-sunbathers all around waving and cheering, soft drinks vendors out for sell and young people attempting to help the Marines bringing ashore some of the heavier equipment. (Marines in Lebanon 1958, Department of the Navy, Historical Branch)

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