Sixty-six Americans were taken captive when Iranian militants seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran on Nov. 4, 1979, including three who were at the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Six more Americans escaped. Of the 66 who were taken hostage, 13 were released on Nov. 19 and 20, 1979; one was released on July 11, 1980, and the remaining 52 were released on Jan. 20, 1981.

Eight U.S. servicemen from the all-volunteer Joint Special Operations Group were killed in the Great Salt Desert near Tabas, Iran, on April 25, 1980, in the aborted attempt to rescue the American hostages:

Capt. Richard L. Bakke, 34, Long Beach, CA. Air Force.

Sgt. John D. Harvey, 21, Roanoke, VA. Marine Corps.

Cpl. George N. Holmes, Jr., 22, Pine Bluff, AR. Marine Corps.

Staff Sgt. Dewey L. Johnson, 32, Jacksonville, NC. Marine Corps.

Capt. Harold L. Lewis, 35, Mansfield, CT. Air Force.

Tech. Sgt. Joel C. Mayo, 34, Bonifay, FL. Air Force.

Capt. Lynn D. McIntosh, 33, Valdosta, GA. Air Force.

Capt. Charles T. McMillan II, 28, Corrytown, TN. Air Force.