During the last 100 years of military involvement which branch of the military was the first into combat?

Answer 1

World War I: Navy. Even prior to the official Declaration of War, destroyers were attacking and sinking German U-Boats.

Russian Revolution: Army. US forces were sent into Russia as peacekeepers. Not Officially fighting for either side, however, in reality it was a fight against the Bolsheviks.

World War II: Outside the Attack on the Navy and Army Air Corp at Pearl Harbor. The US Navy fought the first battle after Pearl Harbor, the battle of Java Sea.

Korea: The Army, specifically the ROK 12th Regiment was surprised by the invasion by the North Korean Army.

Vietnam: Army, President John F. Kennedy sent members of the Army as advisors to the South Vietnamese Army.

Desert Storm: Air Force & Navy. The opening action of Operation Desert Storm was the bombing of key targets in Baghdad using our Stealth Fighters.

Operation Enduring Freedom: Nanal Air Forces, Air Force. To initiate Operation Enduring Freedom, the United States sent bombers to attack Kabul and Terror Camps.

Operation Iraqi Freedom: Navy and Air Force. Operation Iraqi Freedom also began with an air attack, using guided missiles and attack planes.

Answer 2

If you are speaking about the US armed forces, then the Army was generally be the first branch to enter combat. 100 years ago, there was no Air Force. The Air Force is the newest of the branches, as aviation for a while was under the direction of the Army.

During World War II, aviation was still under the command of either the Army or the Navy, depending on the operation. It was only in 1947 that the Air Force was formed as a separate branch.

Answer 3

The United States Marine Corps for the most part. And special forces which really only began during the middle half of the twentieth century.

Answer 4

Marines saw action in WWII, but the Phillipine army garrison was probably the first force to engage the Japanese. WWI, the army also saw combat first. The army sees a lot of action first because it is our primary resource. In my opinion the Marines are used more of a shock force then actual line holding.

Answer 5

Usually the Marines as far as infantry goes, but it just depends on the lay of the land. Navy pilots were the first to hit Iraq this go round.

Answer 6

They use to call them "pathfinders", now they call them "combat controllers", "SEAL"s, "special forces" and "scouts". These are the individuals from their respective branches that will be identifying the targets long before there is any sort of invasion.

Answer 7

IF ONE MUST BE TRUE THEN THE ANSWER IS POSSIBLY THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP OF THE MILLITARY- BUT TO BE TRUE I THYINK IT IS THE RAPIDLY MOVING ELEMENT THAT IS YOUR ANSWER- WHETHER THE CAVALRY OF YORE OR THE AIRFORCE AND MISSILE FORCES OF TODAY.