2014 Event U.S. President Barack Obama authorizes air strikes against Islamic State militants for situations in which the forces appear to threaten U.S. personnel; food drops were also carried out along the Syrian border to civilians trapped by the violence 2011 Event The English town Wooten Bassett is re-named with the prefix 'Royal', honoring its role in repatriating British military personnel killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan 2011 Event The U.S. officially ends its Don't ask, don't tell military policy, allowing gay and lesbian personnel to publicly declare their sexual orientation 2011 Event Following the earthquake and tsunami, Japan deploys 50,000 Self-Defense Forces personnel in search and rescue efforts 1983 Event Suicide terrorist truck bomb kills 241 U.S. personnel in Beirut 1945 Birthday K M Jenkins, British director of personnel, Royal Mail 1944 Event Personnel and executive staff of Philips demonstrate for more food 1919 Event 1st hospital ship built to move wounded naval personnel launched
