Challenge coin
The pictures above are actual artifacts from our interviewee, Mr. Pattyson. They are the challenge coins that he has, which recognizes Mr. Pattyson as a part of the U.S army. This relates to his own experience in which he drove the tanks. During this period of 1990-1991, the UN Security Council and US troops got involved in a series of air strikes and ground movements to push back Iraqi troops and destroy their resources in Operation Desert Storm. Hence, many U.S soldiers got involved in this conflict and the Gulf War. This is significant since President Bush’s decision to get the U.S troops involved was very controversial. Proponents like the President argued that the U.S. was taking the right actions to intervene and help defenseless Kuwait. Opponents argue that the U.S. was acting for its own benefits and interests in Kuwait’s oil. Initially, Mr. Pattyson personally felt that the U.S should not intervene although he felt proud and patriotic to fight after the war had ended. Overall, the challenge coins not only recognize the U.S troops that fought to help Kuwait in the Gulf War but also serve as a reminder of the different reactions people had over this controversial decision the President made. And even though challenge coins were tangible things he earned from his combat experience, what he values the most is his experience and the accomplishment he made during his service.
U.S and Saudi Arabia
Women in the Operation Desert Shield/Storm.
According to historic collections from Women in Military Service for American Memorial Foundation, Operation Desert Storm had the biggest deployments of military women in the US history. Some women helped transport supplies, some worked in the hospitals, while some others directly participated in the war effort by commanding units, driving trucks and tanks, and more. This is an important aspect in the Persian Gulf War as well as in US history since this event had allowed many women to enlist in the army and work to fight the enemy forces. It opened up many opportunities for women in the army and led to Congress reversing some restrictive laws on servicewomen such as being able to work with aircraft and vessels.
Comment from Gulf War Veteran
"I am a Desert Shield Veteran. I was a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps with Marine Air Control Group One (MACS 1) when we deployed to the Persian Gulf. When the military was first deployed into the Persian Gulf theater, they were not allowed to take the women of their unit. It was said at that point that to take the women in what the Arabian society considered "men's roles" would offend them and that would hurt the war effort. I was the only military intelligence specialist in my unit. I donned my gear, my weapons and a very concealing flak jacket. Ten days after the beginning of the war I was in-country with my fellow Marines. I kept a low profile and did the job I that I had trained with my unit for 3 years to do. I am told that I was one of the first women in-country at that time. This passed without fanfare, without ceremony, and more women came. Women in combat? There have always been women in combat. Gender does not make a person a hero, no more than the color of their skin or the amount of money in their pocket. It is what lies within a person's heart and character that makes a hero. I am proud to say I am a veteran. I retired from the military in 1999 with 21+ years of service. Your web page is an inspiration to all woman veterans...." Becky L Morgan GySgt USMC (May 1978 - June 1992) SFC Iowa Army National Guard (June 1992 - Dec 1999) |
This comment from a female Gulf war veteran reflects on the war situation in which not just male but female soldiers participated. She was a Staff Sergeant in the Marine Corps and the only military intelligence specialist in her unit. Through her experience and this comment, Becky L Morgan conveys how women are as equally capable as men in fighting against Iraqi forces. This is an important piece of source since it is related to the essential historical question of how the conflict in the Middle East had affected individual soldiers. As seen in her comment, Becky Morgan is “proud to say [she is] a veteran” and firmly believes that “gender does not make a person a hero, no more than the color of their skin or the amount of money in their pocket.” Her experience shows how she has earned the honor and fought hard along with other fellow soldiers, both male and female. What is also important to note is the fact that she asks “women in combat?”. This hints at the possible situation in which many male veterans were recognized and honored while the female veterans were largely forgotten and went unrecognized. |
Speech from President H.W Bush
Excerpt: Address on Iraq’s Invasion of Kuwait - Operation Desert Shield
“In the life of a nation, we're called upon to define who we are and what we believe. Sometimes these choices are not easy. But today as President, I ask for your support in a decision I've made to stand up for what's right and condemn what's wrong, all in the cause of peace. … Less than a week ago, in the early morning hours of August 2d, Iraqi Armed Forces, without provocation or warning, invaded a peaceful Kuwait. Facing negligible resistance from its much smaller neighbor, Iraq's tanks stormed in blitzkrieg fashion through Kuwait in a few short hours. With more than 100,000 troops, along with tanks, artillery, and surface-to-surface missiles, Iraq now occupies Kuwait. This aggression came just hours after Saddam Hussein specifically assured numerous countries in the area that there would be no invasion. There is no justification whatsoever for this outrageous and brutal act of aggression. … Four simple principles guide our policy. First, we seek the immediate, unconditional, and complete withdrawal of all Iraqi forces from Kuwait. Second, Kuwait's legitimate government must be restored to replace the puppet regime. And third, my administration, as has been the case with every President from President Roosevelt to President Reagan, is committed to the security and stability of the Persian Gulf. And fourth, I am determined to protect the lives of American citizens abroad. … And this past Monday, the United Nations Security Council approved for the first time in 23 years mandatory sanctions under chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. These sanctions, now enshrined in international law, have the potential to deny Iraq the fruits of aggression while sharply limiting its ability to either import or export anything of value, especially oil. I pledge here today that the United States will do its part to see that these sanctions are effective and to induce Iraq to withdraw without delay from Kuwait.” |
This is a speech delivered by President H.W. Bush in 1990 on the topic of Iraq’s invasion on Kuwait. About a week before this speech was given, Iraq had invaded Kuwait for multiple reasons including resources like oil, as well as for its strategic location. As a result of the sudden invasion, the UN Security Council got together and decided to involve U.S troops in a series of air strikes and ground movements to push back Iraqi troops and destroy their resources in what was called Operation Desert Shield. U.S involvement was intended to help Kuwait, but it also fueled further tensions between Kuwait and Iraq. The speech was intended for the American public as they would have been anticipating the president’s response to the invasion. Many Americans viewed President’s decision to intervene in the buildup of the Gulf War in a negative way, and President H.W. Bush wanted to convince them that the U.S was doing the right thing. President H.W. Bush’s point of view is pretty succinct, as he condemned Iraq’s action and called it an “outrageous and brutal act of aggression.” The purpose behind this speech was to encourage and justify the action the U.S was taking in response to the invasion of Kuwait.
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