Florida. Dept. of Military Affairs.

In August 1990 the armed forces of Iraq invaded Kuwait in an attack of conquest. The United States of America, in concert with a coalition of United Nations forces, began a military mission to protect Saudi Arabia from a like fate at the hands of the Iraqi forces now arrayed upon its border with occupied Kuwait. After several months of diplomatic confrontation the United Nations passed several resolutions demanding the withdrawl of Iraq from Kuwait and authorising the use of force to secure that objective. Shortly after the adoption of these resolutions the United States Congress authorised the use of American forces to implement the United Nations' demands. These votes began the events that culminated in the Persian Gulf War of 1991.

In order to put an effective force into the field the defense establishment of the United States began mobilizing some of its reserve components. Among these units were several from the Florida Army and Air Force National Guard. These units were of a combat support nature and provided the needed "house keeping" capacity that the active components of the American military lack.

These Florida units served throughout the theater of operations in Southwest Asia. The Florida Guard suffered one non-combat fatality, several non-combat injuries, and two soldiers were awarded the Purple Heart Medal for injuries due to the actions of hostile forces. The last Florida unit to return from Southwest Asia stood down at home station in September 1991.

From the description of Oral history of Florida National Guard units, 1990-1991. (Florida State Archive). WorldCat record id: 32414173