Humanitarian
Haiti Earthquake Relief (Op UNIFIED RESPONSE)
Operation Unified Response was the American military's massive relief effort following the catastrophic earthquake that devastated Haiti and its capital, Port-au-Prince, killing tens of thousands and leaving the country in ruins.
Marines deployed as part of the response, bringing the amphibious and expeditionary capabilities of the Corps to a shattered nation whose port and airport were crippled and whose people faced desperate shortages of food, water, and medical care. The Marines came ashore to distribute aid, provide security, clear debris, support medical operations, and help reopen the lifelines of a collapsed infrastructure, working alongside a large joint and international relief effort. The mission was humanitarian rather than combat, the Marines using their ability to project organized force and logistics from the sea to bring order and relief to a disaster zone. Unified Response showcased the Marine Corps' value in responding rapidly to catastrophe, delivering aid where the need was greatest.
Record no. 30