Operation Silver Wake was a non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO) led by the United States to evacuate American citizens, noncombatants and designated third country nationals from Tirana, the capital of Albania during the civil unrest in 1997. The operation took place over 13 operational days in March 1997 and was performed by U.S. Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducting operations from the USS Nassau Amphibious Readiness Group. U.S. Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marines and MSSG-26 secured the U.S. housing compound and held the U.S. Embassy. Approximately 900 people were evacuated by the Marines as part of the operation. Additionally, 105 Albanians were rescued March 16-17 from unsafe and overcrowded vessels.