Panama City, Panama

COUNTRY INFORMATION

Diplomatic Relations
1903: established diplomatic relations with Panama in 1903 following its separation from Colombia.
1903: Hay/Bunau-Varilla Treaty, Panama granted the United States rights to a zone spanning the country to build, administer, fortify, and defend an inter-oceanic canal
1914: Panama Canal Opened
1977: Carter / Torrijos Treaties
1987-1989, relations deteriorated sharply under the rule of Manuel Noriega.
1989: Operation Just Cause, U.S. troops entered Panama and captured Noriega, who would not cede power following elections.

Presidential visits: PANAMA
List of Travels SECSTATE: PANAMA
List of US Ambassadors: PANAMA
List of Natural Disasters: PANAMA
List of Terror Incidents: PANAMA
Photo Album: Panama
Alpha Roster: Panama

Together We Served: PANAMA CITY

U.S. Embassy: PANAMA
Britannica: PANAMA
Google: PANAMA
Wikipedia: PANAMA
Wikitravel: PANAMA
DOS History: PANAMA
Travel: PANAMA
Time: PANAMA
Weather: PANAMA
Phrase Book: PANAMA
Google News: PANAMA

James Curry - POST ONE Podcast: Abandoned in Panama: The MSG Detachment Nobody Came To Save

YouTube: (2011) Ambassador Exit Comments
YouTube: (2025) SECSTATE Rubio Addresses Embassy Staff
YouTube: (2024) Operation Just Cause (1989-90)
YouTube: (2025) Day of Mourning Protest - US Embassy
YouTube: (2026) Crisis Response Drill - US Embassy
YouTube: US Embassy PANAMA

1. The "Flag Riots" and Martyrs' Day (1964)

This is the "Combat Origin" for the modern security posture in Panama.

• The Incident: In January 1964, a dispute over flying the Panamanian flag alongside the U.S. flag at Balboa High School sparked massive anti-American riots.

• The Breach: Mobs targeted the U.S. Embassy and Canal Zone facilities. The violence led President Roberto Chiari to temporarily sever diplomatic relations with Washington.

• Legacy: This event directly led to the 13-year negotiation process that culminated during your specific tour in the late 1970s.

2. The Treaty Era (1976–1978): Your Tour

You were standing post during the most politically charged era in Panama’s history—the administration of General Omar Torrijos and the negotiation of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.

• The 1977 Signing: On September 7, 1977, the treaties were signed in Washington, but the security environment on the ground in Panama City was a "Maximum Alert" situation. MSGs were constantly managing student protests and nationalist rallies outside the Chancery on Avenida Balboa.

• The Atmosphere: You were the "Digital Sentry" (taking your verbatim notes) during a time when the future of the Canal—and the U.S. military presence—was being decided daily.

3. The Noriega Crisis and Operation Just Cause (1987–1989)

Following your time there, the post entered a "Dark Era" as relations with General Manuel Noriega collapsed.

• Harassment: MSGs during this time faced constant harassment by Noriega's "Dignity Battalions." Staff was reduced to essential personnel only in early 1989.

• The Invasion: On December 20, 1989, during Operation Just Cause, the Embassy served as the tactical and diplomatic hub. MSGs secured the Chancery while urban combat raged in the surrounding streets of Panama City. The new Panamanian government (led by Guillermo Endara) was effectively inaugurated under U.S. diplomatic protection.

4. The "Great Handover" and the Move to Clayton (1999–2007)

• Dec 31, 1999: The U.S. formally handed over the Canal and closed all military bases (including Fort Clayton and Rodman Naval Station). The mission shifted from a military-centric post to a standard diplomatic one.

• The New Compound (2007): The Embassy moved from the historic Avenida Balboa location to a massive, state-of-the-art compound in the Clayton area (the former Fort Clayton). This move provided the "Hardened" security setback required for modern threats.

Historical Log

Jan 1964 Mass Riot Flag Riots/Martyrs' Day; diplomatic relations severed
.1976-78 Treaty Crisis Torrijos-Carter negotiations; constant student protests.
Dec 1989 Combat Operation Just Cause; Embassy secured during urban combat.
Dec 1999 Transition Panama Canal Handover; closure of U.S. military bases.
2007 Relocation Move from Avenida Balboa to the new Clayton Compound.

DETACHMENT HISTORICAL TIMELINE

2012
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Cody Bowmen 10-12 (Dhaka, Panama) / (TWS)

2011

2010
Detachment Commander:

2009

2008
Detachment Commander:
Steven Harris,

Watchstanders:
Tiffany Abentroth 05-08 (Warsaw, Yerevan, Panama) (TWS) (LinkedIn)

2007
Detachment Commander:

Watchstanders:

2006
Detachment Commander:


Watchstanders:

2005
Detachment Commander:

Watchstanders:

2001
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Janet L. Gomez 01

2000
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Janos Kaszas, T. 99-00
David W. Adams, 98-00 (Zagreb, Panama) / (TWS)

1999
Detachment Commander:

A/ Derrick Curtis 97-99 (MSGBn, Stockholm, Panama) / (TWS) (LinkedIn)
Watchstanders:
Allen J. Johnson, 99

1998
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Randy Goodwin, 97-98 (Panama) (TWS)

1997
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Randy Goodwin, 97-98 (Panama) (TWS)

1996
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1995
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1994
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Moraymar Rodriguez (Camarillo), 94-96
Dennis Scur II, 92-94

1993
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Alan J. Taylor, 92-93
Dennis Scur II, 92-94
Ralph Cook 89-93 (Geneva, Panama) / (TWS)

1992
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Brian Hand, 91-92
Alan J. Taylor, 92-93
Dennis Scur II, 92-94

1991
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Brian Hand, 91-92
Juan M. Reynoso, 90-91
SSgt Raymond Boretti 89-91
James E. Dorsey, 89-91
Eric Thomas Howe, 89-93 (Panama, Belgrade, Santiago) / (TWS)

1990
Detachment Commander:
Mike Pellow 89-93 (Panama) / (TWS) (Facebook)
Watchstanders:
SSgt Raymond Boretti 89-91
David Davis, (89-90) (San Salvador, Panama) / (TWS)
Reynoso, Juan M. 90-91
SSgt Raymond Boretti 89-91
Dorsey, James E. 89-91
Howe, Eric Thomas 89-91
Krout, Rick 89-90
Palmer, Gred 89-90
Staples, Jeff 89-90

Ward E. Lemons, *Deceased 25Mar2018 (Legacy.com)
87-90 (MSG: Cairo, Paris), (Detachment Commander: Tunisia, Mexico, Panama)

January 31 : Operation Just Cause ends

1989
Detachment Commander:
Mike Pellow 89-93 (Panama) / (TWS) (Facebook)
Watchstanders:
SSgt Raymond Boretti 89-91
David Davis, (89-90) (San Salvador, Panama) / (TWS)
James E. Dorsey, 88-91 (Mexico , Panama) (Facebook) (TWS)
Eric Thomas Howe, 89-93 (Panama, Belgrade, Santiago) (TWS) (Facebook)
Rick Krout, 89-90 (Panama) (TWS)
Daniel J. Dowd, 88-89 (Panama) / (TWS)

Ward E. Lemons, *Deceased 25Mar2018 (Legacy.com)
87-90 (MSG: Cairo, Paris), (Detachment Commander: Tunisia, Mexico, Panama)

Gred Palmer 89-90
, Jeff Staples 89-90

POST ONE PODCAST: Abandoned in Panama: The MSG Detachment Nobody Came To Save

December 16: 1stLt Robert Pax (USMC) killed by Panamanian Defense Forces, triggered Operation Just Cause (US Invasion of Panama)

December 20: Operation Just Cause begins
Spotify: Post One Interview with Staff Sergeant Mike Pellow
Abandoned in Panama: The MSG Detachment Nobody Came to Save • Post One: True stories from Marine Embassy Guards

1988
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Dowd, Daniel J. 88-89
Lemons, Ward E. 87-90
Curtis Anderson 85-88 (Kingston, Panama) (TWS)
Joe L. Anderson Jr. 88-91 (Panama, Caracas) (TWS)

1987
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:
Lemons, Ward E. 87-90

1986
Detachment Commander:
Watchstanders:

1985
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Carney, David L. 84-85
Davis, Mark, Sgt. 84-85

1984
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Carney, David L. 84-85 Davis, Mark, Sgt. 84-85 Stanford, Charles R. 81-84

1983
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Stacy, James L. III 82-83
Stanford, Charles R. 81-84

1982
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Stacy, James L. III 82-83
Stanford, Charles R. 81-84

1981
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Stanford, Charles R. 81-84
Kent, Carlton W. 79-81 SGTMAJ of the Marine Corps
Sgro, John J. 79-81

1980
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Kent, Carlton W. 79-81 SGTMAJ of the Marine Corps
Sgro, John J. 79-81

1979
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Kent, Carlton W. 79-81 SGTMAJ of the Marine Corps
Sgro, John J. 79-81

1978
Company D Executive Officer:
Kayser, Richard
Detachment Commander:
Price, Arthur C. NCOIC 78-79
Watchstanders:
Carney, Jeff 78-79
Crigler, John 78-79
Donlon, Michael 78-79
Jarvis, Kevin 78-79,
Snyder, Larry 78
Chisholm, Dave 75-78 (Ankara, Panama) / (TWS) (Facebook)
Wright, Gary 77
Christopher P. Borel 76-79 (Karachi, Panama, Jerusalem) (TWS)

1977
Ray, Phillip (CO Co. D)
Germann, Major (XO Co. D) 76-77
NCOIC:
Don Swanz NCOIC 76-77
Watchstanders:
Earl Maddalina,76-77
Jack McGarry 75-78 (Brasilia, Panama) / (TWS), (Facebook), (LinkedIn)
Tufa Molia, 76-77 (Panama)
Dan Olguin 77-78
Koss, David J. 75-76
Nolen, Dave 76-77
Singer, Mark A. 77
Thomas, Charles 76-77 *Deceased
Watkins, Dave 77

1976
Company D Commanding Officer: Major Phillip Ray,
Executive Officer: Major Germann
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Allen, ? 76

1975
Company D Commanding Officer: Major Phillip Ray,
Executive Officer: Major Germann
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1974
Company D Commanding Officer: Major Phillip Ray,
Executive Officer: Major Germann
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Moore, Spencer B. 73

1972
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Leon-Guerrero, Jose 70-72
Moore, Spencer B. 73

1971
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Leon-Guerrero, Jose 70-72
Moore, Spencer B. 73

1970
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Leon-Guerrero, Jose 70-72
Moore, Spencer B. 73

1967
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Hernandez, Manuel 65-67

1966
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Hernandez, Manuel 65-67

1965
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Hernandez, Manuel 65-67

1961 NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1960
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:

1959
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Ballou, Carlos,
Barrow, Robert 56-59,
Cable James C. 56-59
Pritchard, Charles W. 56-59 Ross,
Donald 56-59 Baker,
Robert L. Class 6-61 1956 - 59

1958
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Ballou, Carlos,
Barrow, Robert 56-59,
Cable James C. 56-59
Pritchard, Charles W. 56-59
Ross, Donald 56-59 Baker, Robert L. Class 6-61 1956 - 59

1957
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Ballou, Carlos,
Barrow, Robert 56-59,
Cable James C. 56-59
Pritchard, Charles W. 56-59
Ross, Donald 56-59
Baker, Robert L. Class 6-61 1956 - 59

1956
NCOIC:
Watchstanders:
Ballou, Carlos,
Barrow, Robert 56-59,
Cable James C. 56-59
Pritchard, Charles W. 56-59
Ross, Donald 56-59
Baker, Robert L. Class 6-61 1956 - 59

MCESG Region 9 (MSGBn Company D) (HQMC F Company)
(Volunteer Detachment Archivist Needed)
Send updates / corrections to history@msghistory.com

US Embassy