How many us soldiers died in mogadishu?

The Battle of Mogadishu: A Fateful Day in the History of the US Military

The Battle of Mogadishu, also known as the Battle of Black Hawk Down, was a pivotal event in the history of the United States military. On October 3-4, 1993, a team of US Army Rangers and Delta Force operators were sent on a mission to capture two top lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. The operation ended in disaster, with the loss of 18 US soldiers and the capture of 73 others. How many US soldiers died in Mogadishu? 18 American service members lost their lives that day.

Background: The US Intervention in Somalia

In the early 1990s, Somalia was embroiled in a civil war, with various factions vying for power. The country had collapsed into chaos, with widespread famine and humanitarian crisis. In response, the United Nations authorized a military intervention to provide humanitarian aid and stabilize the situation.

In December 1992, the United States deployed a contingent of troops to Somalia as part of a UN peacekeeping mission, known as Operation Restore Hope. The US forces, led by the 10th Mountain Division, aimed to secure key infrastructure and protect aid distribution.

The Mission: Operation Gothic Serpent

In the summer of 1993, the US military planned a new operation to capture two top lieutenants of Mohamed Farrah Aidid, who was considered a key player in the Somali conflict. The mission, code-named Operation Gothic Serpent, involved a team of 120 US Army Rangers and Delta Force operators, supported by US Army Apache helicopters and AC-130 gunships.

The plan was to insert the team into the city of Mogadishu, using two Black Hawk helicopters, and have them extract the two Somali leaders. However, things quickly went awry. The mission was not well-planned, with inadequate intelligence and a lack of understanding of the city’s layout and potential opposition.

The Battle Begins

On October 3, 1993, the two Black Hawk helicopters, piloted by Captain Mike Kurth and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Duggan, took off from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport. As they approached their destination, they were hit by rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and small arms fire.

Captain Kurth’s Black Hawk, Super 61, was shot down, killing three crew members and injuring two others. The remaining crew members were forced to make an emergency landing in a deserted alleyway. The team on board, including Captain Scott Miller, was surrounded and pinned down by enemy fire.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel Duggan’s Black Hawk, Super 64, was also hit, killing all five crew members on board. The wreckage of the helicopter was later found to have been destroyed by a mortar round.

The Siege of the American Forces

As the American forces began to regroup and evacuate their wounded, they were ambushed by a large number of Somali militiamen. The US team was vastly outnumbered, with estimates suggesting that they were surrounded by over 1,000 enemy fighters.

The American forces fought bravely, using their training and firepower to hold off the Somali attackers. However, they were ultimately forced to withdraw to a safer location, leaving behind many of their wounded comrades.

The Aftermath

The Battle of Mogadishu was a disastrous failure for the US military. 18 American soldiers died, including 15 Rangers and three Delta Force operators. 73 US soldiers were captured and held by Somali forces for several days before being rescued.

The incident led to a re-evaluation of US military doctrine and tactics, particularly in the area of urban warfare. It also sparked a fierce debate about the role of the US military in Somalia and the country’s political stability.

Key Takeaways

• How many US soldiers died in Mogadishu? 18 American service members lost their lives that day.
Check out the 50 Cheapest Guns Now


• The mission was not well-planned, with inadequate intelligence and a lack of understanding of the city’s layout and potential opposition.
• The American forces fought bravely, but were vastly outnumbered and outgunned by Somali militiamen.
• The incident led to a re-evaluation of US military doctrine and tactics, particularly in the area of urban warfare.

Table: The US Forces Involved in Operation Gothic Serpent

Bullets: Key Events of the Battle

• 03:00: The two Black Hawk helicopters, piloted by Captain Mike Kurth and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Duggan, take off from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport.
• 03:30: The helicopters are hit by RPGs and small arms fire, forcing them to make emergency landings.
• 04:00: The American forces begin to regroup and evacuate their wounded, but are ambushed by Somali militiamen.
• 05:00: The US forces fight bravely, using their training and firepower to hold off the Somali attackers.
• 06:00: The American forces are forced to withdraw to a safer location, leaving behind many of their wounded comrades.
• 07:00: The Somali militiamen claim victory, but the US forces will eventually regroup and extract their wounded and dead.