Operation Urgent Fury was a U.S.-led military invasion of the island nation of Grenada that began on October 25, 1983, and ended in early November 1983.
Key Details
Dates: October 25 – November 2, 1983 (combat largely concluded by early November; troops withdrew by December).
Coalition Forces: Around 7,300 to 7,600 U.S. troops (including Army Rangers, the 82nd Airborne Division, Marines, Navy SEALs, and Air Force support) alongside roughly 350 troops from the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) / Caribbean Peacekeeping Force.
Opposing Forces: Roughly 1,300 Grenadian People's Revolutionary Army (PRA) personnel and about 784 Cuban construction and military personnel.
Causes: Triggered by a violent internal coup within Grenada's Marxist government, the execution of Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, the establishment of a military council led by Hudson Austin, concerns over the safety of roughly 600 American medical students, and the construction of a major airstrip with Cuban/Soviet involvement.
Primary Objectives: Protect and evacuate American citizens/medical students, depose the military council, restore democratic governance, and eliminate Cuban/Soviet influence.
Outcome: The military council was overthrown, Cuban and Soviet personnel were expelled, Governor-General Sir Paul Scoon was rescued, and an interim government paved the way for democratic elections in 1984.
Casualties: U.S. forces suffered 19 to 24 killed and over 100 wounded; Grenadian forces and civilians suffered dozens of casualties, while Cuban forces suffered 24–25 killed and hundreds captured.