Tuesday, November 18, 2025

How many U.S. military personnel were involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Actually I thought it was around 10,000 to 12,000 military personnel at the Cuban Missile Crisis but I was wrong. It was 100,000 Army Troops sent into Florida and 40,000 marines were dispatched with 180 Naval Vessels.

Note: My cousin who is 5 years older than me was on a Destroyer then surrounding Cuba like many other people in the Armed Services then.  I was 14 at the time in 1962.

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During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. military involved more than 100,000 troops in Florida for a potential invasion, while the navy deployed 180 vessels with 40,000 marines for a separate amphibious exercise
. Additionally, B-52 bombers were on constant patrol with nuclear weapons, and four tactical air squadrons were prepared for potential air strikes. 
  • Troops in Florida: More than 100,000 U.S. Army troops were sent to Florida in preparation for a potential invasion of Cuba.
  • Marines: Approximately 40,000 marines were dispatched with 180 naval vessels in the Caribbean for a planned amphibious exercise.
  • Naval forces: The total naval deployment included 180 ships in the Caribbean.
  • Air power: Four tactical air squadrons were on standby for possible air strikes, and B-52 bombers armed with nuclear weapons were in the air at all times. 

  • Forty Years Ago: The Cuban Missile Crisis | National Archives
    Nov 10, 2022 — U.S. forces around the world were placed on alert. Four tactical air squadrons were readied for air strikes over Cuba,
    National Archives (.gov)
Dive deeper in AI Mode
  • Cuban Missile Crisis: How Close America Came to Nuclear ...
    May 13, 2022 — It was one minute before high noon on Oct. 27, 1962, the day that later became known as “Black Saturday.” More than 10...
    HistoryNet
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