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John Wright ©Stars and StripesBeirut, Lebanon, July, 1958: A lifeguard on a stand made of cartons of C-rations keeps an eye on U.S. servicemembers enjoying a swim in the Mediterranean at a beach near Beirut's international airport. The Americans — part of a 14,000-man force of soldiers and Marines sent in to bolster the beleaguered pro-Western government of Lebanese President Camille Chamoun — marched two miles in full combat dress to get to the beach.