Operation Pittsburgh 6 – 12 April, 1968 Report of the Adjutant General

Rewriting the history of the 1968 Pittsburgh Riots.

“This report has been produced to provide an accurate public record of Pennsylvania National Guard participation in quelling the recent violent civil disorders which struck Pittsburgh…In order to present a clear, concise picture for non-military readers it was decided that the military style after-action report format would not be used. It is hoped, thereby, that confusing terminology and cumbersome details have been eliminated.” – Richard Snyder.

The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on April 4, 1968 prompted significant urban unrest across America. Over 100 cities throughout the U.S. experienced looting, civil unrest, and riots in the week following King’s killing. Pittsburgh was no exception, ultimately requiring 4,300 National Guardsmen to quell the disruption, which cost one life, 1,000 arrests, and over half a million dollars in property damage in mostly Black neighborhoods, some of which never recovered.

This summary of the 1968 Pittsburgh Riots was released as the official public record by the Pennsylvania Department of Military Affairs. A carefully curated summary of events is accompanied by numerous captioned photographs (also selected with intent), information on the PA National Guard, a table of violent acts, three maps, and copies of mayoral proclamations and executive orders. A map of the Hill District is printed on the verso of the front cover, noting “This area was hit hardest by roaming gangs of looters and fire bombers.”