4th Quartermaster Detachment

• Gulf War Tragedy: The 4th Quartermaster Detachment is most known for suffering the single greatest number of casualties of any allied unit during the Persian Gulf War, when a Scud missile struck their barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, on February 25, 1991. • Casualties from Attack: The Scud missile attack killed 28 soldiers and wounded 99, most of whom were from the 4th Quartermaster Detachment, making it the deadliest single incident for U.S. forces in the Gulf War. • Home Station: The unit is based at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), North Carolina, and is part of the 82nd Airborne Division Sustainment Brigade. • Mortuary Affairs Mission: The detachment specializes in mortuary affairs, responsible for recovering, processing, and evacuating the remains of U.S. and allied personnel from combat zones. • Deployment to Saudi Arabia: The unit deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Storm on February 18, 1991, just one week before the Scud missile attack. • Commemoration: In Greensburg, Pennsylvania, the 4th Quartermaster Detachment Memorial honors those lost in the attack, and an annual ceremony is held to remember the fallen. • Unit Reactivation: The detachment was reactivated in 1989 after having been deactivated for several years, making it a relatively new unit at the time of the Gulf War. • Scud Missile Defense Failure: The Patriot missile battery assigned to intercept incoming Scuds failed to prevent the missile from hitting the barracks, prompting later analysis and upgrades to missile defense systems. • Legacy of Service: The tragedy led to increased recognition of the importance of mortuary affairs units and improved support for families of fallen soldiers. • Ongoing Role: The 4th Quartermaster Detachment continues to deploy worldwide, supporting operations and providing mortuary affairs expertise in conflicts and humanitarian missions.