Operation Power Pack
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Operation Power Pack was the American intervention in the Dominican Republic in 1965. The Marines landed on April 28 and were supported by elements of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
In 1930, Gen. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo won the presidency of the Dominican Republic. He was a dictator of the worse sort whose National Guard (Guardia) took part in terror, murder, torture, and repression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "He is a son of a bitch, but he is our son of a bitch." Trujillo's 31-year dictatorship ended with his assassination in 1961. Trujillo loyalist Joaquin Balaguer then assumed the presidency. Balaguer's term lasted until December 1962, when he resigned under pressure. Juan Bosch, the head of the Dominican Revolutionary Party was then elected and inaugurated in February 1963. His pro-Castro sentiments and left-leaning politics led to a military coup seven months later by an archconservative faction of the military led by Colonel Elias Wessin y Wessin.
Wessin controlled the Centro de Entrenamiento de las Fuerzas Armadas (Armed Forces Training Center), an elite group of about 2000 highly trained infantry that unlike the regular army units was supplied with tanks, recoilless rifles and artillery. It was an independent organization formed to protect the government and keep watch over the Army, Navy and Air Force. He declared, "The Communist doctrine, Marxist-Leninist, Castroite, or whatever it is called, is now outlawed." Later a civilian triumvirate ruled the nation. The new leaders quickly abolished the constitution, declaring it "nonexistent." Although some believed that the United States had supported the coup, the U. S. government refused to recognize the new military government.
The two years that followed were filled with strikes and conflicts. On 24 April 1965, a group within the Army, led by Col. Francisco Caamano Deno rose up against the triumvirate and attempted to restore Juan Bosch to the presidency. This action was accelerated when chief of staff of the Dominican Army, General Marcos A. Rivera Cuesta attempted to arrest four army "conspirators," but was himself arrested. The pro-Bosch rebels known as Constitutionalists, took to the streets, seized the national palace and the Government radio and television stations in Santa Domingo, and demanded Bosch's return. By 3:00 in the afternoon Santo Domingo's streets were filled with looting and lawlessness as the Soviet-oriented Dominican Revolutionary Party, and the Castroite 14th of June Revolutionary Party armed their members. Bands of teenagers (Los Tigres) swarmed through Santo Domingo shooting any policemen they could find. The pro-government forces, called Loyalists, attempted to defend the old regime but were outgunned and outmanned. Both sides were heavily armed and civilians were caught in the crossfire. Washington began immediate preparations for the evacuation of its citizens and other foreign nationals who might wish to leave the Dominican Republic.
Fearing another Cuba on America's doorstep, President Lyndon Johnson ordered U.S. forces to restore order and sent a fleet of 41 vessels to blockade the island. 400 Marines were ordered to the Dominican Republic on 27 April as part of Operation Power Pack. The United States convinced the Organization of American States (OAS) to form an inter-American military force to intervene in the Dominican Republic on 28 April 1965. Later, the Inter-American Peace Force (IAPF) was formally established on May 23. In addition to the United States military presence, the following troops were sent by each country; Brazil 1130, Honduras 250, Paraguay 184, Nicaragua 160, Costa Rica 21 military police, and El Salvador 3 staff officers. The South American troops were so weak, ill-trained and poorly supplied that a Navy Admiral asked that no further OAS troops be deployed in the Dominican Republic "Until they are equipped to exist and function in the field." 2,200 paratroopers of the U.S Army's 3rd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division arrived on 29 April. The 1st Brigade and elements of the 11th Air Assault Division joined them later on 4 May. The 6th Marine Expeditionary Unit was landed in strength. Eventually, a force of 23,000 U.S. troops was in-country.
The American troops occupied the Dominican Republic to stabilize conditions on the island and prevent a takeover by Marxist rebels. By May 14, the American had enforced a safety zone. Road blocks were established and patrols ran continuously. Some 6,500 people from many nations were evacuated to safety. In addition, the US forces airlifted in 8 millions tons of relief supplies for Dominican Nationals. The fighting continued until 31 August 1965 when a truce was declared. Most American troops left shortly afterwards, but some remained until September 1966.
Although there is some dispute about the actual numbers, by the end of the invasion, more than 3,000 Dominicans and 24 American servicemen had lost their lives. Another 156 Americans were wounded. Trujillo loyalist Joaquin Balaguer was eventually returned to power and ruled with an iron fist for many years afterwards.