Mayaguez incident

Mayaguez incident
Part of the Vietnam War
The wreckage of U.S. Air Force CH-53 helicopters Knife 23 (left) and Knife 31 (right), shot down during the battle, lying on Koh Tang's East Beach shortly after the battle
Date 12–15 May 1975 Location Koh Tang, Kampuchea Result Successful release of SS Mayaguez and crew
Belligerents
United States	Kampuchea
Commanders and leaders
Randall W. Austin	Em Son
Units involved
1st Battalion, 4th Marines 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines 21st Special Operations Squadron 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron USS Henry B. Wilson USS Harold E. Holt USS Coral Sea Carrier Air Wing 15
Strength
~300	~100
Casualties and losses
38 killed 50 wounded 3 captured (later executed) 3 helicopters destroyed	13–25 killed on Koh Tang Unknown killed on Swift Boats and Cambodian mainland 15 wounded 4 Swift Boats sunk

The Mayaguez incident took place between Kampuchea (now Cambodia) and the United States from 12 to 15 May 1975, less than a month after the Khmer Rouge took control of the capital Phnom Penh ousting the U.S.-backed Khmer Republic. After the Khmer Rouge seized the U.S. merchant vessel SS Mayaguez in a disputed maritime area, the U.S. mounted a hastily-prepared rescue operation. U.S. Marines recaptured the ship and attacked the island of Koh Tang where it was believed that the crew were being held as hostages. Encountering stronger-than-expected defences on Koh Tang, three United States Air Force helicopters were destroyed during the initial assault and the Marines fought a desperate day-long battle with the Khmer Rouge before being evacuated. The Mayaguez's crew were released unharmed by the Khmer Rouge shortly after the attack on Koh Tang began. The names of the Americans killed, including three Marines left behind on Koh Tang after the battle and subsequently executed by the Khmer Rouge, are the last names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.