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AMERICAN MILITARY COLLECTIBLES OF GRENADA AND PANAMA INVASIONS

OPERATION URGENT FURY - Invasion of Grenade
Start: October 25th, 1983
End: October 29th, 1983

The United States invasion of Grenada began at dawn on 25 October 1983. The United States and a coalition of six Caribbean nations invaded the island nation of Grenada, 100 miles (160 km) north of Venezuela. Codenamed Operation Urgent Fury by the U.S. military, it resulted in military occupation within a few days. It was triggered by the strife within the People's Revolutionary Government which resulted in the house arrest and execution of the previous leader and second Prime Minister of Grenada Maurice Bishop, and the establishment of the Revolutionary Military Council with Hudson Austin as Chairman. The invasion resulted in the appointment of an interim government, followed by elections in 1984.

The Reagan administration in the U.S. launched a military intervention following receipt of a formal appeal for help from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. In addition, the Governor-General of Grenada Paul Scoon secretly signaled he would also support outside intervention, but he put off signing a letter of invitation until 26 October. Reagan also acted due to "concerns over the 600 U.S. medical students on the island" and fears of a repeat of the Iran hostage crisis.



OPERATION JUST CAUSE - Invasion of Panama
Start: December 20th, 1989
End: January 31st, 1990

The United States Invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, lasted over a month between mid-December 1989 and late January 1990. It occurred during the administration of President George H. W. Bush. The primary purpose of the invasion was to depose the de facto Panamanian leader, General Manuel Noriega. He was wanted by the United States for racketeering and drug trafficking. Following the operation, the Panama Defense Forces were dissolved and President-elect Guillermo Endara was sworn into office. The United Nations General Assembly and the Organization of American States condemned the invasion as a violation of international law.



This section of the website takes a look at the uniform, equipment and general gear employed during that time period. The information provided permits the identification of items. Additional details provide the current value of each collectible.

This information is brought to you at noi charge courtesy of MILITARYITEMS.COM , the source for unique military collectibles from all wars and all countries.



US COMBAT FIELD GEAR OF THE GRENADA AND PANAMA INVASIONS

The primary changes to the combat field gear consisted of stronger and lighter materials. Much of the same packs and accessories share the same design as those from the Vietnam war. This section takes a close look at various types of combat gear.


US ARMY BEACON PORTABLE MARKER - This is a device that was used to mark the edges of an improvised landing strip. Of nylon construction. A large light is placed on the top.


US ARMY WEAPONS AIRBORNE DROP BAG - This is the bag that protected the rifle of a paratrooper during a jump. Heavily paded. Of canvas construction.


US ARMY M2 COMPASS - This is a compass with the carrying case. Retains the original tag. Single Alice keeper.


US ARMY LAUNDRY BAG - Of cotton construction. OD color. Opening closes using a white string. Soldiers moved clothes to be launder.




US ARMY FIELD MEDICAL BAG - This is a large canvis bag with an open top that was used by medical personnel for holding discarded clothing. The medical logo is placed at the end of the bag.


US ARMY FLAG GUIDE - This is a the flag that was used by the leader of the group during formal formations. Of cotton construction. The US Army eagle is added in yellow.


US ARMY PILOT'S EQUIPMENT BAG - This is a large canvis bag with a zipper in the center and heavy duty handles on the top. Pilots employed these bags to carry their equipment.


US ARMY POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER - This is a large electrical device that was used in the field as a means to distribute power to multiple batteries. Complete with the carrying case.




US ARMY LAUNDRY BAG - This is a plastic large bag. Olive drab color. Used by soldiers to hold their laundry. Light weight construction.


US ARMY DRESS SHOES - This is a pair of black dress shoes. This is the official set used with the Class A uniform. Missing the shoe laces.

US ARMY ALICE PACK - This was the standard issued pack. One main bag with three smaller bags attached to the front and sides.

US ARMY JUNGLE FIRST AID KIT - Rectangular hard plastic container. Lid is secured to one side allowing the other side to hinge open. Nylon carrying case.



US ARMY DRESS SHOES - This is a set of Army dress shoes. Used with the class A uniform. Front lace type. All lather construction.


US NAVY ELECTRICIAN SHOES - This is a set of rubber sole, high top black shoes. Isused to electricians in the Air Force. Laces were employed to secure them closed.


US ARMY 105 MM ANTI-TANK ROUND - This is an artillery round that was fired from a US Army Tank. The blue color indicates this is a practice round. A large spike at the front helps break armor.


US AIR FORCE PILOT RESCUE TOOL - This is a tool that was used to cut through seat belts and communication wires that would be around a pilot. This is a gas operated rescue tool.




US NAVY NUCLEAR SUBMARINE - This is a large model of a US Navy nuclear submarine. Measuring 55 inches in length. Complete with a wooden base. Propellor is not shows as it is top secret design.


US NAVY NUCLEAR SUBMARINE AWARD CLOCK - This is a Mare Island award clock mounted to a large oak base. At the bottom of the clock is the model of a nuclear submarine.






US MEDALS AND AWARDS OF THE GRANADA AND PANAMA INVASIONS

In the tradition of years past, the American soldier continued to carry private purchase knives into combat. Some of the government issue edge weapons saw radical changes while others remained virtually idle. A new bayonet was introduced for the M-16 rifle.

US ARMY MILITARY POLICE BADGE - This is a US Army badge issued to miliary police. Of metal construction. An eagle is found on top resting over a scroll that reads "United States Army".


US AIR FORCE ROTC BADGE - This is a ROTC badge issued to members. An eagle with wings spread rests atop a shield which contains Air Force lightning bolts.


US AIR FORCE SR FLIGHT SURGEON WINGS - Of clutch back construction. Base metal manufacturing. The design consists of a shield with a star on top. Wings extend from the sides of the shield.


US ARMY MILITARY ACADEMY SUPERIOR CADET MEDAL - This is a medal issued to students of the US Army military academy in recognition for achievement. Complete with the case.





US ARMY AIR ASSAULT BADGE - This is a badge issued to troops who completed the Air Assault training. Features an UH-1 helicopter with wings.




US EDGE WEAPONS OF THE GRANADA AND PANAMA INVASIONS

In the tradition of years past, the American soldier continued to carry private purchase knives into combat. Some of the government issue edge weapons saw radical changes while others remained virtually idle. A new bayonet was introduced for the M-16 rifle.

US ARMY TL-9 KNIFE KIT - This is a set of tools issued to personnel who worked laying or maintaining telephone lines. The tool set was also issued to electricians.


US ARMY FIELD KNIFE - This is a metal cased knife with multiple blades which had different functions. Pocket size with a lanyard loop on one end.


US ARMY M-9 PHROBIS III BAYONET - Manufactured by the Buck knife company. Designed for use with the M-16 rifle. Hard plastic handle with a serrated blade. Complete with the plastic scabbard.



US MILITARY HEADGEAR OF THE GRANADA AND PANAMA INVASIONS

Advancements in synthetic materials and electronic technology saw the birth of a new breed of helmets. The venerable M-1 helmet was replaced by the Kevlar helmet. Jet fighter, helicopter and tanker helmets also experienced a series of changes.

MARINE CORPS GENTEX TANKER'S HELMET - This is a helmet used by operators of tanks and armored vehicles in the US Marine Corps. Of fiber glass construction. Complete with all the electronics and connectors.


US AIR FORCE PILOT'S OXYGEN MASK - This is the oxygen mask used by jet fighter pilots in the US armed forces. Of plastic construction. Complete with a corrugated hose with a connector at the end.


1980's US SPECIAL FORCES CAMO BERET - This is the official headegear employed by the US Green Beret. Of woodland camouflage construction. Flash and metal insignia in front.


US ARMY GREEN WOOL BEANEE - This is a wool green beanie. Heavy duty construction. Used in extreme cold weather.




US AIR FORCE HGU-55 JET FIGHTER HELMET - This is a US Air Force fighter jet helmet. Complete with the visor and oxygen mask.


US ARMY M-1 HELMET HELMET - This is an example of a US Army M-1 helmet. As issued during the 1980's. Complete with the woodland camo cover, liner and elastic band.








 
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