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Today in American Military History -- 1975
US air raids force the "Khmer Rouge" to free the container ship 'Mayaguez', after heavy losses on both sides
The Mayaguez incident took place between Kampuchea and the United States from May 12–15, 1975, less than a month after the Khmer Rouge took control of the capital Phnom Penh ousting the U.S.-backed Khmer Republic. It was the last official battle of the Vietnam War. The names of the Americans killed, as well as those of three U.S. Marines who were left behind on the island of Koh Tang after the battle and were subsequently executed by the Khmer Rouge, are the last names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The merchant ship's crew, whose seizure at sea had prompted the U.S. attack, had been released in good health, unknown to the U.S. Marines or the U.S. command of the operation before they attacked. Nevertheless, the Marines boarded and recaptured the ship anchored offshore a Cambodian island, finding it empty.
US air raids force the "Khmer Rouge" to free the container ship 'Mayaguez', after heavy losses on both sides
The Mayaguez incident took place between Kampuchea and the United States from May 12–15, 1975, less than a month after the Khmer Rouge took control of the capital Phnom Penh ousting the U.S.-backed Khmer Republic. It was the last official battle of the Vietnam War. The names of the Americans killed, as well as those of three U.S. Marines who were left behind on the island of Koh Tang after the battle and were subsequently executed by the Khmer Rouge, are the last names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The merchant ship's crew, whose seizure at sea had prompted the U.S. attack, had been released in good health, unknown to the U.S. Marines or the U.S. command of the operation before they attacked. Nevertheless, the Marines boarded and recaptured the ship anchored offshore a Cambodian island, finding it empty.
Mayaguez incident - Wikipedia
Posted from en.wikipedia.orgPosted in these groups: 
Vietnam War
Military History
Vietnam War Military History
Posted >1 y ago
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Excellent history share this morning. Yet another forgotten battle except for those involved and historians for the most part.
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter LT Brad McInnis PO3 Bob McCord CW3 Dick McManus SGT John " Mac " McConnell CWO3 Dennis M. MSgt Stephen Council LTC Stephen Conway LTC Stephan PorterLTC Stephen C. LTC Greg Henning SGT Gregory Lawritson Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SGT Jim Arnold Maj Robert Thornton Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SFC Francisco Rosario LTC (Join to see) LTC Stephen F.
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter LT Brad McInnis PO3 Bob McCord CW3 Dick McManus SGT John " Mac " McConnell CWO3 Dennis M. MSgt Stephen Council LTC Stephen Conway LTC Stephan PorterLTC Stephen C. LTC Greg Henning SGT Gregory Lawritson Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. SGT Jim Arnold Maj Robert Thornton Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen SFC Francisco Rosario LTC (Join to see) LTC Stephen F.
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The SS Mayaguez was the very first US Flagged container ship. These days everything is shipped in containers.
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The first response for the rescue of the USS Mayaguez crew was made by members of the USAF 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakom Phanon, RTAB, Thailand to include 18 armed USAF Security Policemen from the 56th Security Police Squadron. shown in the back of this Helicopter during the flight enroute for that rescue. That chopper was shot down and all 18 USAF Security Police members died along with 5 USAF members of the chopper crew. That's 23 Air Force members killed. After that chopper crashed, then the Marines were called in. The Air Force almost went to blows with the Marines, after that loss they wanted the Marines to assure them they would killed each and every one of the terrorist. The Marines assured them they would. The involvement of the USAF people and their deaths were covered up as the United States didn't want to admit they launched this Rescue attempt from a foreign country. it was many years before the US Government even made that admission. The US Govt. tried to use the excuse it was a mechanical failure but it appears a rocket hit the chopper.
In addition to that two more USAF choppers were shot down carrying Marines into the battle, one Air Force Crewman died and 6 more were wounded.
All those 24 (23 of them on the first chopper, the 24th on one of the follow up rescue choppers) ) All theses Air Force member's killed in the USS Mayaguez incident were buried with Military Honors.
In addition to that two more USAF choppers were shot down carrying Marines into the battle, one Air Force Crewman died and 6 more were wounded.
All those 24 (23 of them on the first chopper, the 24th on one of the follow up rescue choppers) ) All theses Air Force member's killed in the USS Mayaguez incident were buried with Military Honors.
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