Has the US ever used its Active Military to perform a mission where the intent was to kill its own citizens?

Question

And by own citizens, I mean citizens living and working stateside?
I say yes, what say you? And no bloviating please!!!!

How about the big coal strikes in the early 1900"s, West Virginia. When the government sent Active Duty military aircraft to bomb the camps of striking miners who were trying to Unionize. The mission failed due to bad weather conditions. The intent to kill was there.

I am completely offended by the 9/11 comment. That has never been proven, and the official investigation has concluded that it was terrorism. My question and answer is based on facts. Look it up.

Kent state was National Guards, reserves, not ACTIVE DUTY.

Civil war pitted two armies against each other, not an army against civilians.

Answer 1

Answer: My first thought was Janet Reno organizing the Clinton ordered murders at Waco..."D@mn the Posse Comitias...Full speed ahead!
USARMORSOLDIER says only military equipment and training ,not personnel...
My thought is, training the proper use of tanks and CS gas outlawed by the international community does indeed smack of active military participation.

Answer 2

Yes.

Whiskey Rebellion - 1794
Enforcement of Fugitive Slave law - 1850's
Railroad and Industry strikes - 1877-1920's
Action against the Bonus Army - 1932
Detroit Race Riots - 1943
Philidelphia transportation worker protest - 1944
Detroit Race Riots - 1967
Nationwide riots following the death of Martin Luther King - 1968
Drug war interventions - 1980's to present
Los Angeles riots - 1992

I don't mention the Kent State Massacre, Ruby Ridge, the Branch Davidians, COINTELPRO, or other events, because these involved the National Guard, FBI, ATF, or other federal entity, rather than the active military.

Of course, the issue of "intent" is arguable in all of these cases. Many people would argue that these actions were taken with the intent of restoring order, not of killing people. Of course, the same argument could be made about foreign military actions, as well.

Answer 3

Killed 4 students at Kent State Ohio for protesting the Vietnam War. Military Guardsmen were ordered to contain them. Some threw a rock, and blam! 4 dead kids!
Our own military. My dad, a combat Air Force pilot was devastated at the time. I was a kid but I remember it well. I couldn't believe our own guys would be sent to kill civilians?

Answer 4

If you honestly think that the so-called US Civil war did not pit soldiers against civilians, you obviously know nothing about the history of the war.

Tens of thousands of civilians were rounded up, troops were posted at the polls to ensure lincoln was re-elected, entire southern cities were destroyed and burned to the ground.

There were 7 concentration camps in Missouri alone that lincoln established for those who did not agree with his politics.

Answer 5

When the riots were occurring after MLK was killed, I was in the Army and there was an expectation that active troops would be called in, especially in Chicago, to deal with it. I don't know that it ever was.
Waco was not active Army, it was FBI, etc., using anti terrorist hardware and most of the deaths were due to the idiot inside and his gasoline, just like the religious suicides by Cyndie in Jonestown, South America

Answer 6

No, other than the wars against the Indians nations.

Answer 7

Kent State in Ohio, May 4, 1970. Governor sent in the National Guard to use armed force against these kids. Most of the Guardsmen were inexperienced and badly trained and opened fire on this peaceful protest.

Answer 8

Civil War?

Answer 9

the intent or he possibility should the need arise? I have never heard of a military op stateside with the INTENT to kill.

Answer 10

what you think 9-11 was?