aguez Rescue, Thailand Part 1

Description

DEPARTMENT OF FILM RELEASE A STATE OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) UNITED STATES of WASHINGTON, D.C. - 20301 PLEASE NOTE DATE IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 1975 OXford 7-6161 Release #58-75 Footage: 204' 16mm Color Master "A" Wind Room 2E 773 107528 107373 Time: 5:40 100092 106286 506xxx 100011 100002 107110 506000 107281 107283 MAYAGUEZ RESCUE 108099 104641 100094 100097 108188 (Official U. S. Air Force Film Released by Department of Defense) DATE/PLACE: This footage was shot 14-15 May 1975, at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand and Nakon Phanom (N.K.P.), Thailand. SCOPE: This coverage is of the rescue of the men of the SS Mayaguez by U. S. Armed Forces. BACKGROUND: A U. S. merchant vessel, the SS Mayaguez, had been fired on, boarded, and seized in international waters at about 21 minutes past midnight, 12 May while traversing 8 ndard sealane and trade route. It was then moved from the vicinity of Poulo Wai Island to near Koh Tang Island. Because of the circumstances, the destroyer USS HOLT, the support ship USS VEGA, the USS CORAL SEA Carrier Task Group, and the destroyer USS WILSON, were directed to proceed to the vicinity of Kompong Som from various locations in the Western Pacific. Recon- naissance aircraft were dispatched from U-Tapao, Thailand, to provide continuous sur- veillance during the entire episode. Two days later, on 14 May at 8:45 p.m., the USS HOLT came alongside the Mayaguez and boarded it. No one was found onboard the Mayaguez at the time. On 14 May, the first troop-carrying helicopter took off from U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand. The assault on Koh Tang to rescue the Mayaguez crew was underway. Of the eight heli- copters in the first wave, three crashed on the beach or in the water, and two were disabled. The Marine Ground Force Commander consolidated his position in the vicinity of the main landing zone. Across the island from the main force, 22 personnel whose helicopter had been hit and crash-landed, were isolated. At 10:23 p.m., a boat approached the island flying a white flag and was picked up by the destroyer USS WILSON. On board was the entire crew of the Mayaguez, accounted for and in good condition. At about midnight, the order was given to cease all offensive operations and begin to withdraw. Additional ground forces were requested by the Ground Force Commander to vide sufficient firepower for a successful withdrawal under fire. Initial efforts ithdraw forces from the island concentrated on extracting the 22 isolated personnel. - MORE -

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases