Operation Homecoming

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USAF Capt. Robert Parsels at Gia Lam Airport, repatriated during Operation Homecoming
Hanoi Taxi, used in Operation Homecoming, flying over the National Museum of the United States Air Force in December 2005

Operation Homecoming was a series of diplomatic negotiations that in January 1973 made possible the return of 591 American prisoners of war held by North Vietnam. On Feb. 12, 1973, three C-141 transports flew to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and one C-9A aircraft was sent to Saigon, South Vietnam to pick up released prisoners of war. The first flight of 40 U.S. prisoners of war left Hanoi in a C-141A, later known as the "Hanoi Taxi" and now in a museum. From February 12 to April 4, there were 54 C-141 missions flying out of Hanoi, bringing the former POWs home.[1]

Each plane brought back 40 POWs. During the early part of Operation Homecoming, groups of POWs released were selected on the basis of longest length of time in prison. The first group had spent 6-8 years as prisoners of war.[2]

After Operation Homecoming, the U.S. still listed about 1,350 Americans as prisoners of war or missing in action and sought the return of roughly 1,200 Americans reported killed in action and body not recovered.[3] These missing personnel would become the subject of the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue.

The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines each had liaison officers dedicated to prepare for the return of American POWs well in advance of their actual return. These liaison officers worked behind the scenes traveling around the United States assuring the returnees well being. They also were responsible for debriefing POWs to discern relevant intelligence about MIAs and to discern the existence of war crimes committed against them.[4][5]

Notes[edit source | edit]

  1. ^ Donna Miles (12 February 2013). "Operation Homecoming for Vietnam POWs Marks 40 Years". American Forces Press Service. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 14 March 2013. 
  2. ^ "Operation Homecoming". National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. United States Air Force. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 14 March 2013. 
  3. ^ "Vietnam War Accounting History". Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office. Retrieved 2008-11-22. 
  4. ^ Senate Select Committee - XXIII
  5. ^ Vietnam War Internet Project

Sources[edit source | edit]