Marine Corps Knowledge Practice

What was the main goal of Operation Urgent Fury in 1983?

1. To apprehend enemy leaders

2. To rescue students from an island

3. To establish a military base

4. To conduct a humanitarian mission

The correct answer is: To rescue students from an island

The main goal of Operation Urgent Fury, conducted in 1983, was to rescue American medical students from the island of Grenada amid political instability and a recent coup that had taken place. The operation was initiated after the U.S. government received reports of danger to the lives of U.S. citizens, particularly the students, due to the turbulent situation in Grenada. The decision to intervene was also influenced by a broader strategy to prevent the establishment of a potentially hostile government in the region, aligned with Soviet interests. However, the primary focus of the operation was indeed the immediate need to secure the safety of the American students. The military actions taken were thus oriented toward ensuring their safe evacuation and restoring order on the island. This context highlights why the rescue of students is identified as the correct answer, as it encapsulates the primary objective that drove the operation's launch and execution.