History of Operation Uphold Democracy

From Walter E. Kretchik, LTC, 25 October 1995

Bob, please let your readers know about our ongoing project.

SUMMARY. In April, 1995, The Chief of Staff United States Army tasked the Combat Studies Institute, Command and General Staff College, FT Leavenworth, Kansas to write the Army's history of UPHOLD DEMOCRACY. The intent is to publish, within two years, a history that addresses the following

a. The US political, economic, geographical, military interests in Haiti from the 1700's until the present.

b. The evolution of the intervention, i.e. what drove the use of military power in the recent operation in Haiti.

c. What agencies were involved in planning the operation. How was the operation planned, specifically focusing on the relationship between the National Security Council, Joint Chiefs of Staff, DOD, DOS, US Atlantic Command, 18th Airborne Corps, Special Operations Command, et. al.

d. How was the operation executed. What went on with Pres Carter's trip to Haiti at the eleventh hour, how and why did the operation change from a forced entry into a permissive one.

e. How did the US Army transition from a Joint Task Force to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).

We are accumulating, in a digitized data base, over 30,000 government and military documents, much classified. More are forth coming daily. Although the data base is only open to the US Army now, eventually it is hoped that the documents will be declassified and available for scholarly research. In the mean time, we are asking for anyone who had something to do with UPHOLD DEMOCRACY to contact us. We are especially interested in oral histories or reading papers regarding actual experiences within the before stated parameters. Our -mail is kretchie@leav-emh.army.mil and our phone numbers are (913) 684-2064/4113. We also have a FAX at (913) 684-3869. Appreciate your help.

LTC Walt Kretchik, US Army
Bob Baumann, Ph.d
John Fishel, Ph.d