PERSIAN GULF WAR

PERSIAN GULF WAR. The Persian Gulf War (August 2, 1990 – February 28, 1991), was code-named Operation Desert Shield (August 2, 1990 – January 17, 1991) for operations leading to the buildup of troops and defense of Saudi Arabia and Operation Desert Storm (January 17, 1991 – February 28, ) in its combat phase.

The Persian Gulf War began on August 2, 1990, when approximately 100,000 Iraqi Army troops crossed the Kuwaiti border. The United Nations Security Council swiftly condemned Iraq, passing Resolution 660 demanding an immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait. After consulting with Saudi King Fahd, on August 6, 1990, President George H.W. Bush ordered the deployment of U.S. ground, air, and naval forces to the Arabian Peninsula. (1)

Hussein’s assumption that his fellow Arab states would stand by in the face of his invasion of Kuwait, and not call in outside help to stop it, proved to be wrong. His failure to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 678 of November 1990, which set January 15, 1991, as the deadline for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, provided the reason for the next phase of the campaign. On January 17, 1991, Operation DESERT STORM, a massive U.S.-led air offensive hit Iraq’s air defenses, moving swiftly on to its communications networks, weapons plants, oil refineries and more. The coalition effort, known as Operation Desert Storm, benefited from the latest military technology, including Stealth bombers, Cruise missiles, so-called “Smart” bombs with laser-guidance systems and infrared night-bombing equipment. On February 28, 1991, just 100 hours after the coalition launched its ground offensive, U.S. Central Command liberated Kuwait and halted offensive operations. With the approval of the UN Security Council, a formal cease-fire took effect on April 11, ending the Persian Gulf War. (2)

Though the Gulf War was recognized as a decisive victory for the coalition, Kuwait and Iraq suffered enormous damage, and Saddam Hussein was not forced from power. There were 125 American soldiers killed in the Persian Gulf War and an additional 21 soldiers were deemed missing in action. (3)

The only Dubuque soldier killed in the action was 21 year-old Ronald Rennison, the victim of a Scud missile attack on an American military barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, in February.

Food unneeded by the military was reallocated to agencies in the United States including the ST. STEPHEN'S CUPBOARD.

See: SPC. RONALD RENNISON ARMY RESERVE CENTER

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Source:

1. "Home of Heroes" Online: https://homeofheroes.com/wars-and-history/persian-gulf-war/

2. "Defense Casualty Analysis System, Online: https://dcas.dmdc.osd.mil/dcas/pages/casualties_gulfwar.xhtml

3. "Home of Heroes,"