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The Mayaguez incident : testing America's resolve in the post-Vietnam era

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"This investigation focuses largely on the decisions made during the four days of the Mayaguez crisis and the results of those decisions at all strategic, operational, and tactical levels -- from the National Security Council (NSC) down to the on-scene commanders of the airmen, sailors, soldiers, and marines, and also the captain of the Mayaguez. The book recounts the situational context and the diplomatic and military action, and analyzes the objectives, events, and outcomes of this brief but intense U.S. crisis. This volume also analyzes and evaluates the operational structure of the forces that implemented the decisions of the U.S. leadership and the intelligence community's performance during the crisis. Finally the book reinforces the position that this seemingly small event had significant consequences"--Introduction.

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Summary Note

"This investigation focuses largely on the decisions made during the four days of the Mayaguez crisis and the results of those decisions at all strategic, operational, and tactical levels -- from the National Security Council (NSC) down to the on-scene commanders of the airmen, sailors, soldiers, and marines, and also the captain of the Mayaguez. The book recounts the situational context and the diplomatic and military action, and analyzes the objectives, events, and outcomes of this brief but intense U.S. crisis. This volume also analyzes and evaluates the operational structure of the forces that implemented the decisions of the U.S. leadership and the intelligence community's performance during the crisis. Finally the book reinforces the position that this seemingly small event had significant consequences"--Introduction.

Content Note

Pt. 1. 12 May 1975 : the drama unfolds. Ship seized and crew taken -- Ford moves into action -- Initial military response -- pt. 2. 13 May : action and reaction, tension mounts. The Mayaguez and crew move to Koh Tang -- NSC morning meeting -- Intelligence reporting -- President Ford's military option and military buildup -- A brush with disaster : the Mayaguez crew is almost killed -- NSC late meeting -- Mayaguez crew to mainland, then moved : 13-14 May -- pt. 3. 14 May : buildup to the storm. Forces assemble, command and control (C2) established -- Tactical planning and intelligence -- Congress weighs in : 14 May hearing -- NSC into overdrive -- Congressional leadership approves -- Ford's dinner -- pt. 4. 15 May : assault and recovery. Assault on Koh Tang, phase I -- Recovery of the Mayaguez -- Mayaguez crew released -- Attacks on Kompong Som -- Ford celebrates, orders cessation -- Second wave and extraction -- pt. 5 : aftermath. The final NSC meeting -- Secretary of Defense Schlesinger -- International and domestic reactions -- Congressional reaction -- Defense restructuring -- The Mayaguez crew and Koh Tang aftermath -- pt. 6. Analysis. Strategic leadership analysis -- Operational- and tactical-level analysis -- Intelligence analysis.