The United States has been lucky. I doubt there is anyone alive today that has seen the CONTINENTAL United States as a battle zone (1865).

The last time for Alaska is 1942 (Battle of Midway but there was pretty much nothing there). Hawaii was in the theater of operations for the entirety of American WWII.

Rioting, unfortunately, is fairly common but of fairly limited duration with the resumption of civil control in a short time. For this scenario, discretion is likely the better part of valor (72hr BOB). Short term evacuations for a limited distance are reasonable

Is it reasonable to prepare for long term disorder? Is it even possible? This question is a hard one. During Vietnam, the civilian population stayed put and the war was largely fought around them. Attempted evacuations during the fall of South Vietnam suggests that believing American promises to be foolhardy. I don't recall large scale civilian evacuations during Korea. During WW II, evacuations were not possible. Before WW II, many countries declined to accept refugees and many affected populations declined to even try to escape until it was too late.

"The United States has been lucky. I doubt there is anyone alive today that has seen the CONTINENTAL United States as a battle zone (1865)."

There is the Wounded Knee Massacre (1892, off the top of my head) and the Geronimo campaign, roughly the same time. Don't hostilities against Native Americans count?

US military personnel have been called on various times since - Little Rock?

Yee-
A couple of corrctions. The attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec 7, 1941) certainly counts as a battle, though a rather one sided on. And there was pretty much quite a lot there.

In Alaska, the Japanese attacked Dutch Harbor, Alaska on 3–4 June 1942. The Battle of Attu took place from 11–30 May 1943, and was a serious land battle in every sense if the word, with 549 US killed and over a thousand wounded. The Japanese garrison was almost entirely wiped out, with about 2850 killed, and 29 who were taken alive.

While it probably doesn't quite count as a full on "battle", in the contiguous 48 US states, in June, 1942 a Japanese submarine shelled Fort Stevens, Oregon. This is believed to be the only time in WW II that a military installation in the lower 48 was directly attacked. For a summary of other WW II engagements in and around North America, see Wikipedia's "American Theater (World War II)". In particular note the many naval engagements with U-Boats off the E Coast.

NOTE: I have always disliked the term "Continental United States". The last time I checked, Alaska was part of the same continent (North America) as the 48 "contiguous" states.

There was also the shelling of the Elwood oil field by a submarine in spring, 1942. The remains of the coastal defenses erected during this period are still visible on SoCal beaches.Vessels were sunk off the West Coast in WWII,as well.

And then there is Pancho Villa's attack on Columbus, NM,in 1916....

This isn't a survivalist site so maybe that's the reason; but no one ever gives much attention to the only event that could destroy US society; A nuclear war.

Here's a haunting episode of The Twilight Zone based on that, but it raises a good point for all Bug Out, or Bug In plans.

Either don't tell anyone about it, or have enough room and supplies for everyone.

http://youtu.be/Zm6cMdePtMA

qjs

I love the Twilight Zone, and just recently happen to watch that episode. You see much in that show in general that presages much of Hollywood's later works.

Yep, I remember that TZ episode from years ago, thanks.

Read this and weep:

I never saw it till this week, it wasn't shown widely in the UK (or as it will be called after todays Scottish vote.... errr we don't know what it will be called actually)
So I've 156 episodes to see :-) at the present rate that will take till about Sunday.

Stunned by the quality. With 1950s special effects, it still puts modern day productions to shame.
Have you seen 'In His Own World'? where Rod Serling discovers the characters aren't inventions in his story. He is an invention in theirs.
Ok hijacked this thread enough; shutting up now.
qjs

" I have always disliked the term "Continental United States". The last time I checked, Alaska was part of the same continent (North America) as the 48 "contiguous" states."

Yes, but Alaska is subducting us, specifically coastal California, just so that you can have some really high mountains...since there is nothing we can do about it, let us at least choose the labels......