Pershing II

[ pur-shing too ]

noun

1. a 38-foot (12 meters) U.S. Army surface-to-surface nuclear missile with a single warhead and range of more than 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Pershing II¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

In fact, President Ronald Reagan’s determination to deploy Pershing II and cruise missiles in West Germany, beginning in 1983, was critical.

From New York Times

The Biden administration appears to be upping the ante with Beijing by providing a Pacific ally with submarines that are much harder to detect than conventional ones, much as medium-range Pershing II missiles were deployed in Europe in the 1980s to deter the Soviet Union.

From Seattle Times

Moreover, the period included massive antinuclear demonstrations as the United States prepared to station Pershing II missiles and ground-launched cruise missiles in Western Europe to counter Soviet missiles.

From Washington Post

And: “What part of zero do you not understand,” in proceeding with the deployment of Pershing II missiles in Europe when the Soviet Union refused to remove their intermediate-range forces.

From Washington Post

The United States, countering the Soviets, deployed ground-launched cruise missiles and Pershing II intermediate-range missiles in Europe.

From Washington Post