20 years ago today, Operation Phantom Fury launched more than 10,000 #Marines, #Sailors, and #Soldiers into the insurgent-controlled city of Fallujah, Iraq. For six weeks, the Marines fought from street-to-street and house-to-house in what would be remembered as the most intense combat of the Iraq War. Nine Marines were awarded the Navy Cross for their heroism. | U.S. Marine Corps

Yesterday in 2004, #Marines launched the Second Battle of Fallujah, also known as Operation Phantom Fury. For more than six weeks, Marines and U.S. Army Soldiers fought alongside coalition partners to clear the city of insurgents. The street-to-street and house-to-house fighting was some of the most intense combat of the Iraq War, and led to acts of exceptional courage by Marines and Soldiers. Nine Marines were awarded the Navy Cross for their heroism, and U.S. Army Staff Sergeant David Bellavia