United States during the Turkish War of Independence

{{short description|Overview of the role of the United States during the Turkish War of Independence}}

File:Greek Landing in Bandirma 1.jpg displaying Greek and American flags (July 1920)]]

During World War I, the Ottoman Empire and the United States fought from opposite sides, but they never officially declared war on each other. However, American ships carried weapons for the Triple Entente during the Gallipoli campaign.{{sfn|Cevizoğlu|2007|p=54}}

The Ottoman Empire and its allies were eventually defeated in late 1918 and the Armistice of Mudros was signed. The Entente requested that Istanbul, the Marmara Region and Greater Armenia be under the control of an American mandate.New York Times (Archive), [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9504E1DA163AE03ABC4851DFB3668382609EDE British would keep Sultan in Europe - Want him to retain the semblance of Power in Constantinople], 20 May 1919New York Times (Archive), [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=940DE5D91E3BEE3ABC4E51DFB3668382609EDE Turkish tangle is still unsolved], 26 May 1919 Some Turkish communities even defended the idea of the whole of Anatolia being controlled by the United States.

The United States reportedly helped the Entente during the Turkish War of Independence; American aid included but wasn't limited to logistical support. USS Arizona and 3 other American warships provided protection to the Greeks during the Greek landing at Smyrna.New York Times, [http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9403E3DD1338EE32A25754C1A9639C946896D6CF Smyrna is taken away from Turkey], 17 May 1919 On 7 June 1922, Greek warships (including the cruiser Georgios Averof) and the American destroyers USS Sands, USS McFarland, and USS Sturtevant bombarded the port city of Samsun to help the Pontic Greek rebels in the region.{{sfn|Cevizoğlu|2007|p=66}} Four civilians were killed and 3 others were injured in the bombardment, and the assault also caused large scale damage in the city, destroying dozens of buildings.{{sfn|Cevizoğlu|2007|p=77}}