Operation Sharp Edge

Increasing violence between political and ethnic factions, including in the capital of Monrovia, had made it impossible for American diplomats and civilians to make safe passage to the U.S. Embassy to exit the country.

The landing zones were under sporadic fire from light, medium and heavy weapons from belligerents.

Simultaneously, elements of BLT 2/4 secured landing zones in the surrounding areas, extracting U.S. and foreign nationals.

Remaining on station for the next 121 days, the Marines and sailors of Whidbey Island evacuated over 1,000 civilian personnel from Monrovia, most of whom were subsequently transported to Freetown, Sierra Leone aboard the accompanying USS Barnstable County.

The 26th MEU was relieved by FAST Company 5th Platoon of the Marine Corps circa December, 1990, when Whidbey Island and her embarked troops steamed to the Mediterranean in anticipated support of the growing Operation Desert Shield.