Today marks the anniversary of Operation Eagle Claw. In the early morning hours of 25 April, 1980 President Carter announced to a stunned world that the United States had undertaken an ambitious raid into Iran to liberate 52 American hostages held illegally at our Embassy in Tehran. Unfortunately, Operation Eagle Claw was unsuccessful and we lost eight American servicemen in a horrible aircraft ground collision. Join me in remembering their sacrifice.
Their sacrifice was not in vain. The hostages were eventually repatriated and the accident was the watershed event that created over the next several decades, the world’s preeminent Special Operations capability; USSOCOM and its components. We wouldn’t be where are today without the determination of that fledgling task force. Join me in remembering those that had the guts to try.
Tags: Eagle Claw
“For those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we are grateful that such men and women were among us. For those who continue to serve, we honor their commitment. For those who return to civilian life, we honor their service.”
-S.B.
These men will never be forgotten
I thank them and the families they left behind for their sacrifice, and I thank you for remembering. My dad was one of the 52 held hostage. Though my father returned 9 months after the rescue attempt (a very changed man, nevertheless), the families of these men didn’t get to receive these heroes alive. It’s my privilege to remember them annually on this day.
Wow. Thanks for sharing.
As someone at Hulbert Field when this mission went down I would like to make the following statement. After 30 plus years it is time to state the obvious, the reason it failed was it was very poorly planned, probably never had much chance at success. Get tired of hearing people blame the Marines. And I also completely disagree that it was the watershed moment for special operations the evolution was well under way.
As someone who spent 15 years in Delta Force I can tell you everyone I know at the Unit saw this event as a watershed moment. Obviously your perspective is different but I would mark it as THE watershed moment in the history of US SOF. This nations SOF capability would be much different than what it is today had Desert One not happened.