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Operation Homecoming begins the release of 591 American
POWs from Hanoi.
28-Mar-73
U.S. First Aviation Brigade departs Vietnam.
29-Mar-73
MACV headquarters disestablished.
29-Mar-73
U.S. 18th Military Police Brigade departs Vietnam.
29-Mar-73
The withdrawal of all American troops from South Vietnam
is complete.
29-Mar-73
The release of 590 P.O.W.s held by the communists is complete.
Captain Robert White, the last known American POW is released.
The Watergate scandal results in the resignation of top
Nixon aides H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman.
President Nixon and President Thieu meet at San Clemente,
California. Nixon renews his earlier secret pledge to respond militarily
if North Vietnam violates the peace agreement.
22 May 73
Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho end their talks on implementation
of the Vietnam truce agreement.
13 Jun 73
A new accord aimed at strengthening the January 27 cease-fire
agreement in South Vietnam is signed in Paris by the United States, North
Vietnam, South Vietnam and the National Liberation Front.
The U.S. Congress passes the Case-Church Amendment which forbids any further U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia, effective August 15, 1973. The veto-proof vote is 278-124 in the House and 64-26 in the Senate. The Amendment paves the way for North Vietnam to wage yet another invasion of the South, this time without fear of U.S. bombing.
June 24, 1973 - Graham Martin becomes the new U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam.
1 Jul 73
U.S. Congress votes to end all bombing in Cambodia after
August 15.
The U.S. Navy removes mines from ports in North Vietnam
which had been installed during Operation Linebacker.
The U.S. Senate Armed Forces Committee begins hearings
into the secret bombing of Cambodia during 1969-70.
Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger testifies before
the Armed Forces Committee that 3500 bombing raids were launched into
Cambodia to protect American troops by targeting NVA positions. The extent
of Nixon's secret bombing campaign angers many in Congress and results
in the first call for Nixon's impeachment.
14 Aug 73
U.S. Air Force Operations Arc Light and Freedom deal end,
as U.S. officially ceases bombing in Cambodia and thus all direct U.S.
military action in Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam.
22 Sep 73
Henry Kissinger replaces William Rogers as Secretary of
State and retains National Security Adviser post.
7 Nov 73
U.S. Congress overrides presidential veto of War Powers
Act.
31 Dec 73
Size of U.S. military contingent in Vietnam is limited
to 50. No Free World military personel remain in South Vietnam.
9 Aug 74
Richard Nixon resigns as President of the United States.
Vice President Gerald Ford becomes President.
U.S. bombing activities in Cambodia are halted in accordance
with the Congressional ban resulting from the Case-Church amendment.
20 Aug 74
U.S. Congress cuts aid to South Vietnam from $1 billion
to $700 million.
Henry Kissinger is appointed by President Nixon as the
new Secretary of State, replacing William Rogers.
16 Sep 74
President Ford signs a proclamation offering clemency
to Vietnam war-era draft evaders and military deserters.
South Vietnamese troops assault NVA near Pleiku.
Political scandal results in the resignation of Vice President
Spiro T. Agnew. He is replaced by Congressman Gerald R. Ford.
Congress passes the War Powers Resolution requiring the
President to obtain the support of Congress within 90 days of sending
American troops abroad.
Viet Cong destroy 18 million gallons of fuel stored near
Saigon.
Congress begins impeachment proceedings against President
Nixon stemming from the Watergate scandal.
Richard M. Nixon resigns the presidency as result of Watergate.
Gerald R. Ford is sworn in as the 38th U.S. President, the 6th President
to cope with Vietnam.
The U.S. Congress appropriates only $700 million for South
Vietnam. This leaves the South Vietnamese Army under-funded and results
in a decline of military readiness and morale.
President Gerald R. Ford announces a clemency program
for draft evaders and military deserters. The program runs through March
31, 1975, and requires fugitives to take an oath of allegiance and also
perform up to two years of community service. Out of an estimated 124,000
men eligible, about 22,500 take advantage of the offer.
Vietnam decides to launch an invasion of South Vietnam
in 1975.
In yet one more Vietnam political travesty, William Calley
is freed after serving only 3 1/2 years under house arrest following his
conviction for the murder of 22 My Lai civilians.
13 Dec 74-
6 Jan 75
6 Jan 75
In violation of the Paris treaty, North Vietnamese attack
South Vietnamese positions in Phuoc Long Province, II Corps. The intent
is to test President Ford's resolve; Ford responds with diplomatic protests
but no military force in compliance with the Congressional ban on all
U.S. military activity in Southeast Asia. Phuoc Long Province falls to
North Vietnamese attack.
Based on President Ford's ineffective response and his
hamstringing by Congress, North Vietnam's leaders meet in Hanoi to form
a plan for final victory.
8 Jan 75
North Vietnamese Politburo orders major offensive to "liberate"
South Vietnam by NVA cross-border invasion.
[ south vietnam's peace | after the fall | lessons learned ]