1973
South Vietnam
A nine-point cease-fire agreement was signed in Paris on Jan. 23, 1973, to become effective on Jan. 28. It called for the U.S. to remove all of its forces from South Vietnam and for all POWs to be returned within 60 days. On March 28, 1973, the last U.S. military personnel departed South Vietnam.
North Vietnam
After North Vietnam agreed on Dec. 29, 1972, to return to the peace table in Paris, the United States restricted its air attacks on North Vietnam to the area south of the 20th parallel. On Jan. 15, 1973, the United States announced an end of all mining, bombing and other offensive operations against North Vietnam.
Laos: Panhandle
The USAF continued its tactical aircraft and B-52 missions over the Panhandle until Feb. 21, 1973, when a cease-fire agreement was signed in Laos.
Laos: Plain of Jars
When the Communists violated the Laotian cease-fire signed on Feb. 21, 1973, B-52 bombings were carried out again on Feb. 23. In April, additional B-52 raids were made south of the Plain of Jars because of additional Communist cease-fire violations. Following these strikes, all USAF missions over Laos ceased after nine years of combat operations.
Cambodia
There was no peace in Cambodia in early 1973. Local Communist insurgents of the Khmer Rouge kept up their attacks on Phnom Penh, so the Cambodian Government urgently called upon the United States for help, and the Air Force was ordered to carry out a massive bombing campaign against the insurgents on the outskirts of the capital. However, Congressional pressure in Washington grew against these bombings and eventually all funds for military operations in South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were cut off. On Aug. 15, 1973, USAF Capt. Lonnie O. Ratley, flying an A-7D Corsair, completed the last U.S. combat mission of the SEA conflict.
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