Posted on May 25, 2020
How did the GWOT come to be known as the US longest war?
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Heard this on the Memorial Day Concert this weekend, but also hear it thrown around a lot as fact. The Cold War ran from SEP 1945 to DEC 1991. The Indian War Campaign Medal was awarded from 1865 until 1890, although last battle (Bear Mountain) between Yaqui and 10th US Cavalry was on 9 JAN 1918. Not to take away from GWOT soldiers, but both ran longer. GWOT may eventually last longer than these, but I feel presumptuous to say now that it will.
Cold War
GWOT
Posted >1 y ago
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Because it is in fact the longest war the U.S. has directly been involved in.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Actually, Korea and Viet Nam were considered proxy conflicts with the Commies and were hot portions of the Cold War. I guess directly involved is in the eye of the beholder. We were REALLY involved in the Cold War! Skip Cold War and conflicts that you mention and explain how US not directly involved in Indian War and if you only count the period of the Campaign Medal (25 years) it is still longer. Your chart says only fought outside US Territory, however, it lists the PI which were given to us by Spain in 1898 and therefore was a US territory during the PI-American war.
BTW, first US service member KIA was in NOV 1955 during attack on Bien Hoa AB. Ike sent the first troops there. That 9 years sooner than you have listed for hostilities.
BTW, first US service member KIA was in NOV 1955 during attack on Bien Hoa AB. Ike sent the first troops there. That 9 years sooner than you have listed for hostilities.
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SGT (Join to see)
MAJ Ronnie Reams - “BTW, first US service member KIA was in NOV 1955 during attack on Bien Hoa AB. Ike sent the first troops there. That 9 years sooner than you have listed for hostilities.”
Please refer to the bottom of the graphic, the 2. annotation.
Additionally, the first death was in 1956. (Blue on blue attack). The Biên Hoa attack occurred in 1959, where two of our service members were were killed.
Please refer to the bottom of the graphic, the 2. annotation.
Additionally, the first death was in 1956. (Blue on blue attack). The Biên Hoa attack occurred in 1959, where two of our service members were were killed.
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Technically, congress never ratified the treaty of versailles. So were still in WW!.
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Well, the Cold War wasn't an actual war, it was a period of political tension that involved several proxy wars. The Indian Campaign medal was given for various wars and conflicts, not one whole thing.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Same same for GWOT. Many countries from here in the US to Africa to SW Asia to the Philippines and most likely, places we never heard of. Like GWOT Medal, a soldier only got one GWOT medal regardless of how many campaigns he fought in. I actually was a neighbor of one of Ranald Mackenzie's troopers as a young lad in the early 1950s. He was 98 yoa but still sharp as a tack and told me a lot about the Indian War.
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