The Most Successful Rescue Mission of the US Military: A Remarkable Achievement

Voting rules: Choose the rescue you think is the most successful!

Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 7, 2023 10:15)

Welcome to StrawPoll, where your opinion matters! We've curated an exciting ranking of the most successful rescue missions executed by the indomitable US Military. These awe-inspiring missions showcase the bravery, skill, and dedication of America's finest. But now, it's your turn to join the ranks and have your say! Dive into this thrilling list, relive the incredible stories, and cast your vote for the top rescue mission that stole your heart. And if you believe we've missed a crucial operation, fear not, for you hold the power to suggest and add it to our list. So gear up, soldier, and embark on this captivating journey through some of the most daring and triumphant moments in military history!

What Is the Most Successful Rescue Mission of the US Military?

1

43
votes
US military recon aircraft photo · Public domain

Operation Ivory Coast

This mission successfully rescued American prisoners of war in North Vietnam in 1970.
Description

Operation Ivory Coast was a highly successful rescue mission conducted by the US Military during the Vietnam War. It was aimed at liberating American Prisoners of War (POWs) held captive at the Son Tay prison camp in North Vietnam.

Date: November 20, 1970

Objective: Rescue US POWs at Son Tay prison camp

Location: Son Tay, North Vietnam

Forces Involved: Approximately 100 US Army Special Forces soldiers

Execution Method: Heliborne assault
2

23
votes
photographer: TSgt. M. J. Creen, USAF · Public domain

Operation Urgent Fury

United States Military

This mission rescued American medical students and restored democracy in Grenada in 1983.
Description

Operation Urgent Fury was a successful military operation conducted by the United States in October 1983, primarily in Grenada. It was initiated with the objective of liberating American citizens and restoring order in the country after a coup d'état took place.

Objective: Liberate American citizens and restore order in Grenada

Dates: October 25 to December 15, 1983

Location: Grenada, Caribbean

Forces Involved: United States, Caribbean nations, and Grenadian opposition forces

Troop Size: 7,600 United States troops
3

11
votes
US Air Force · Public domain

Operation Desert Storm

This mission rescued Kuwaiti hostages and liberated Kuwait from Iraqi invasion in 1991.
Description

Operation Desert Storm was a military operation led by the United States in response to the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq. The primary objective of the operation was to liberate Kuwait and prevent further aggression by Iraq. It marked the first major military operation since the end of the Cold War and involved extensive airstrikes, ground assaults, and a naval blockade. Desert Storm was a decisive victory for the international coalition, effectively ending the Persian Gulf War.

Duration: January 17, 1991, to February 28, 1991

Countries Involved: United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, France, Canada, and more

Number of Coalition Forces: Approximately 956,600

Number of Casualties: Coalition: 292 killed, 776 wounded | Iraq: Estimated 20,000 – 35,000 killed

Key Objectives: Liberate Kuwait, neutralize Iraq's military capabilities, protect Saudi Arabia
4

15
votes
Operation Gothic Serpent

United States Military

This mission rescued American soldiers in Somalia in 1993.
Description

Operation Gothic Serpent was a military operation conducted by the United States Military in Somalia in 1993. The objective of the operation was to capture key lieutenants of Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and enhance stability in the region.

Date: October 3-4, 1993

Location: Mogadishu, Somalia

Objective: Capture key lieutenants of Mohamed Farrah Aidid

Force Size: 160 US Special Forces and Rangers

Duration: Approximately 18 hours
5

9
votes
Staff Sgt. Brandon Aird, 173rd ABCT PAO · Public domain

Operation Enduring Freedom

This mission rescued American and coalition hostages and removed the Taliban from power in Afghanistan in 2001.
Description

Operation Enduring Freedom was a military mission launched by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks. It aimed to combat terrorism and bring stability to Afghanistan. The operation began on October 7, 2001, and lasted until December 28, 2014.

Duration: October 7, 2001 - December 28, 2014

Objective: Combat terrorism and establish stability in Afghanistan

Location: Primarily Afghanistan, with operations extending to other regions

Forces Involved: United States military, NATO forces, and Afghan military and security forces

Troop Deployment: At its peak, around 140,000 troops were deployed
6

11
votes
Operation Iraqi Freedom

United States Military

This mission rescued American and coalition hostages and removed Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq in 2003.
Description

Operation Iraqi Freedom was a military operation conducted by the United States in 2003 as part of the broader Iraq War. The primary objective of this operation was to overthrow the Iraqi government led by Saddam Hussein and eliminate perceived threats of weapons of mass destruction.

Duration: March 20, 2003 – December 18, 2011

Location: Iraq

Objective: Regime change, disarmament of weapons of mass destruction

Troop strength: Initial invasion: around 150,000 US troops, Coalition forces: additional troops from various countries

Casualties: US: 4,576 killed, 31,952 wounded (as of April 30, 2010)
7

14
votes
Operation Neptune Spear

This mission successfully killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al-Qaeda, in Pakistan in 2011.
Description

Operation Neptune Spear was a covert operation carried out by the United States military to locate and eliminate Osama bin Laden, the founder and leader of the terrorist group al-Qaeda. It took place on May 2, 2011, in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Objective: Locate and eliminate Osama bin Laden

Date: May 2, 2011

Location: Abbottabad, Pakistan

Primary Participants: United States Navy SEALs (DEVGRU), 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers)

Code Name: Operation Neptune Spear
8

9
votes
U.S. Navy photo (RELEASED) · Public domain

Operation Red Wings

United States Military

This mission rescued a Navy SEAL team in Afghanistan in 2005.
Description

Operation Red Wings was a highly significant rescue mission conducted by the US Military during the War in Afghanistan. It took place on June 28, 2005, in the Kunar Province, where a team of four Navy SEALs was assigned to gather intelligence on Taliban activity in the region.

Date: June 28, 2005

Location: Kunar Province, Afghanistan

Objective: Gather intelligence on Taliban activity

Rescue Team: US Navy SEALs

Number of SEALs: 4
9

0
votes
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devon Dow · Public domain

Operation Tomodachi

United States Military

This mission rescued Japanese citizens after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Description

Operation Tomodachi was a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission conducted by the United States Military in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11, 2011. The mission aimed to provide immediate assistance and support to Japan in the wake of the natural disasters.

Date: March 2011

Objective: Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

Location: Japan

Duration: Approximately 80 days

Number of personnel involved: Around 24,000
10

3
votes
Petty Officer 2nd Class Scott Fenaroli · Public domain

Operation Inherent Resolve

United States Military

This mission rescued Yazidi and other minority groups from ISIS in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
Description

Operation Inherent Resolve is a multinational operation launched by the United States Military in 2014 as part of the global war on terrorism. The operation aims to combat and ultimately defeat the terrorist organization known as ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) or ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant). It involves a coalition of over 80 countries, with the primary focus on Iraq and Syria. Operation Inherent Resolve consists of airstrikes, advisory support, intelligence sharing, and training of local forces to degrade and ultimately eliminate ISIS presence in the region.

Start Date: June 15, 2014

Primary Focus: Combating ISIS in Iraq and Syria

Coalition: Over 80 countries

Airstrikes: Carried out against ISIS targets

Advisory Support: Provided to local forces

Missing your favorite rescue?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for successful rescue mission

Mission objectives

How well were the mission objectives defined, communicated, and executed?
Enemy resistance

How well did the military personnel handle enemy resistance? Were there any casualties or injuries, and were they minimized as much as possible?
Timing

How long did the mission take, and how well was it timed in relation to other events or military operations?
Personnel

How well were the military personnel trained, prepared, and positioned to carry out the mission?
Intelligence

How accurate and timely was the intelligence gathered before and during the mission? Was the information used effectively?
Coordination

How well did the different military units involved in the mission coordinate and communicate with each other, as well as with outside agencies?
Outcome

Were the mission objectives achieved? Were all personnel successfully rescued and returned safely?
Impact

What was the impact of the mission, both in terms of immediate results and long-term effects?

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most successful rescue mission of the US Military. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or rescue is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

748 views
138 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each rescue once every 24 hours. The rank of each rescue is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most successful rescue mission of the us military

The US Military has been involved in numerous rescue missions over the years, but some stand out as particularly successful. These missions have been carried out in various parts of the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Somalia, among others. The most successful rescue missions of the US Military are those that have saved the lives of American citizens, as well as those of allies and civilians who were in danger. These missions require careful planning, coordination, and execution, often involving special operations forces with advanced skills and training. From the daring rescue of hostages in Iran in 1980 to the recent operation to free American hostages in Nigeria, the US Military has a proud history of successful rescue missions.