Military Veterans
Mark W. Soles
Date of Birth
Brick Location
Panel Number
Biography
Specialist Soles served in the U.S. Army from 1982 to 1985 and participated in the Invasion of Grenada.
The Invasion, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was an invasion of the nation of Grenada, an island in the Caribbean Sea. After an internal power struggle on the island of just over 100,000, which ended with the deposition and execution of Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, the invasion began on October 25, 1983. A combined force of troops from the United States (nearly 10,000 troops), Jamaica and members of the Regional Ssecurity System defeated Grenadian resistance and the military government of Hudson Austin was deposed.
Though criticized in some corners, the invasion enjoyed broad public support in the United States as well as among segments of the people of Grenada. October 25 is a national holiday in Grenada, called Thanksgiving Day, to commemorate this event. Additionally, on 29 May 2009, the Point Salines International Airport was officially renamed in honour of the slain coup-leader Maurice Bishop by the Government of Grenada.
Branch:
Rank
Specialist (E-4)
Years
Grenada—1982 - 1985
Duty
82nd Airborne Division