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    "label": "5/14/75 - Mayaguez Seizure (1)",
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    "title": "5/14/75 - Mayaguez Seizure (1)",
    "citationUrl": "https://catalog.archives.gov/id/1564067",
    "collections": [
        "John O. Marsh Files (Ford Administration)",
        "John Marsh's War Powers Notifications Files"
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    "subjects": [
        "Mayagüez Incident, 1975",
        "Presidential powers",
        "Wars"
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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 122, folder \"5/14/75 - Mayaguez Seizure (1)\" of\nthe John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nNote\nBECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF\nSECURITY, I SUGGEST\nT\nYOU EMPHASIZE THE\naauoH этінW 3HT\nNEED FOR SECURITY UNTIL THE OPERATION\n0\nACTUALLY BEGINS.\nFORD A LIBRAR RALD\n,\nPublic Law 93-148\n93rd Congress, H. J. Res. 542\nNovember 7, 1973\nJoint Resolution\nConcerning the war powers of Congress and the President.\nResolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United\nStates of America in Congress assembled,\nWar Powers\nResolution.\nSHORT TITLE\nSECTION 1. This joint resolution may be cited as the \"War Powers\nResolution\".\nPURPOSE AND POLICY\nSEC. 2. (a) It is the purpose of this joint resolution to fulfill the\nintent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and\ninsure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the\nPresident will apply to the introduction of United States Armed\nForces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement\nin hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and to the con-\ntinued use of such forces in hostilities or in such situations.\n(b) Under article 1, section 8, of the Constitution, it. is specifically USC pree.\nprovided that the Congress shall have the power to make all laws neces- title 1.\nsary and proper for earrying into execution, not only its OWN powers\nbut also all other powers vested by the Constitution in the Govern-\nment of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.\n(c) The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-\nChief Lo introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or\ninto situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly\nindicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a\ndeclaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a\nnational emergency created by attack upon the United States, its ter-\nritories or possessions, or its armed forces.\nCONSULTATION\nSec. 3. The President in every possible instance shall consult with\nCongress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostili-\nties or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is\n:\nclearly indicated by the eircumstances, and Iter every such introdue-\nRALD GE R. FORD! (BRAN\ntion shall consult regularly with the Congress until United States\nArmed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities or have been removed\nfrom such situations.\nONLINOJAM\nSec. 4. (n) In the absence of a declaration of war, in any case in\nwhich United States Armed Forces are roduced-\n(1) into hostilities or into situations where imminent involve-\nment in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances:\n87 STAT. 555\n(2) into the territory, airspace or waters of it foreign nation, 07 STAT. 556\nwhile equipped for combat, except for deployments which relate\nsolely to supply, replacement, repair, or training of such forces;\nor\n(3) in numbers which substantially enlarge United States\nArmed Forces equipped for combat already located in IL foreign\nnation;\nPub. Law 93-148\n- 2 --\nNovember 7, 1973\nthe President shall submit within 48 hours to the Speaker of the House\nof Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a\nreport, in writing, setting forth-\n(A) the eircumstances necessitating the introduction of United\nStates Armed Forces;\n(B) the constitutional and legislative authority under which\nsuch introduction took place; and\n(C) the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or\ninvolvement.\n(b) The President shall provide such other information as the\nCongress may request in the intillment of its constitutional responsi-\nbilities with respect to committing the Nation to war and to the use of\nUnited States Armed Forces abroad.\n(c) Whenever United States Armed Forces are introduced into\nhostilities or into any situation described in subsection (a) of this\nsection, the President shall, so long as such armed forces continue to be\nengaged in such hostilities or situation. report to the Congress periodi-\ncally on the status of such hostilities or situation as well as on the\nscope and duration of such hostilities or situation, but in 110 event shall\nhe report to the Congress less often than once every six months.\nCONGRESSIONAL ACTION\nSEC. 5. (a) Each report submitted pursuant to section 1(a) (1) shall\nbe transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to\nthe President pro tempore of the Senate on the same calendar day.\nEach report SO transmitted shall be referred to the Committee on\nForeign Affairs of the House of Representatives and to the Committee\non Foreign Relations of the Senate for appropriate action. If, when\nthe report is transmitted, the Congress has adjourned sine die or has\nadjourned for any period in excess of three calendar days, the Speaker\nof the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the\nSenate, if they deem it advisable (or il petitioned by at least 30 per-\ncent of the membership of their respective Houses) shall jointly request\nthe President to convene Congress in order that it may consider the\nreport and take appropriate action pursuant to this section.\n(b) Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is\nrequired to be submitted pursuant to section 4(a) (1), whichever is\nearlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed\nForces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required\nto be submitted), unless the Congress (1) has declared war or has\nenacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed\nForces, (2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or (3) is\nphysically unable to meet as il result of an armed attack upon the\nUnited States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not inore\nthan an additional thirty days if the President determines and certi-\nfies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity\nrespecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the\nA.\nFORD\ncontinued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about\nn prompt removal of such forces.\n(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), at any time that United States\nArmed Forces are engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the\n07 STAT, 556\nUnited States, its possessions and territories without a declaration of\nRALD GE\nLIBRARY\n07 Siki, 557\nwar or specific statutory authorization, such forces shall be removed\nby the President if the Congress SO directs by concurrent resolution.\nNovember 7, 1973\n- 3 -\nPub. Law 93-148\n67 SPAT. 557\nCONORESSIONAL PRIORITY PROCEDURES FOR JOINT RESOLUTION OR BILL\nSec. 6. (n) Any joint resolution or bill introduced pursuant to see-\ntion (b) at least thirty calendar days before the expiration of the\nsixty-day period specified in such section shall be referred 10 the Com-\nmitteo on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the\nCommittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be, and\nsuch committee shall report one such joint resolution or bill, together\nwith its recommendations, not later than twenty-four calendar days\nbefore the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section,\nunless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and mays.\n(b) Any joint resolution or bill SO reported shall become the pend-\ning business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the\ntime for debate shall be equally divided between the preponents and\nthe opponents), and shall be voted on within three calendar days there-\nafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.\n(c) Such a joint resolution or bill passed by one House shall be\nreferred to the committee of the other House named in subsection\n(a) and shall be reported out not later than fourteen calendar days\nbefore the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in section (b).\nThe joint resolution or bill SO reported shall become the pending\nbusiness of the House in question and shall be voted on within three\ncalendar days after it has been reported, unless such House shall other-\nwise determine by yeas and nays.\n(d) In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of\nCongress with respect to a joint resolution or bill passed by both\nHouses, conferees shall be promptly appointed and the committee of\nconference shall make and file n report with respect to such resolution\nor bill not later than four calendar days before the expiration of the\nsixty-day period specified in section 5 (b), In the event the conferees\nare mable to agree within 48 hours, they shall report back to their\nrespective Houses in disagreement. Not withstanding any rule in either\nHouse concerning the printing of conference reports in the Record or\nconcerning any delay in the consideration of such reports. such report\nshall be neted on by both Houses not later than the expiration of such\nsixty-day period.\nCONGRESSIONAL PRIORITY PROCEDURES FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTION\nSec. 7. (a) Any concurrent resolution introduced pursuant to sec-\ntion 5(c) shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign-Atfairs of the\nHouse of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of\nthe Senate, as the case may be, and one such concurrent resolution shall\nbe reported out by such committee togerher with its recommendations\nwithin fifteen calendar days, unless such ] Iouse shall otherwise deter-\nmine by the yeas and mays.\n(b) Any concurrent resolution So reported shall become the pending\nbusiness of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the time\nfor debate shall be equally divided between the proponents and the\nopponents) and shall be voted on within three calendar days there-\nafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and mays.\n(c) Such a concurrent resolution passed by one House shall be\nreferred to the committee of the other House named in subsection (a)\nA.\nFORD\nand shall be reported ont. by such committee together with its recom-\nmendations within fifteen calendar days and shall thereupon become\nRALD\nthe pending business of such House and shall be voted upon within\nGF\nPub. Law 93-148\n4 -\nNovember 7, 1973\n37 STAT. 558\nthree calendar days, unless such House shall otherwise determine\nby yeas and nays.\n(d) In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of\nCongress with respect to a concurrent resolution passed by both\nHouses, conferees shall be promptly appointed and the committee of\nconference shall make and file a report with respect to such concurrent\nresolution within six calendar days after the legislation is referred to\nthe committee of conference. Notwithstanding any rule in either House\nconcerning the printing of conference reports in the Record or con-\ncerning any delay in the consideration of such reports, such report\nshall be acted on by both Houses not later than six calendar days after\nthe conference report is filed. In the event the conferees are unable to\nagree within 48 hours, they shall report back to their respective llouses\nin disagreement.\nINTERPRETATION OF JOINT RESOLUTION\nSEC. 8. (a) Authority to introduce United States Armed Forces into\nhostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly\nindicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred—\n(1) from any provision of law (whether or not in effect before\nthe date of the enactment of this joint resolution), including any\nprovision contained in any appropriation Act, unless such pro-\nvision specifically authorizes the introduction of United States\nArmed Forces into hostilities or into such situations and states\nthat it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization\nwithin the meaning of this joint resolution; or\n(2) from any treaty heretofore or hereafter ratified unless such\ntreaty is implemented by legislation specifically authorizing the\nintroduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or\ninto such situations and stating that it is intended to constitute\nspecific statutory authorization within the meaning of this joint\nresolution.\n(b) Nothing in this joint resolution shall be construed to require\nnny further specific statutory authorization to permit members of\nUnited States Armed Forces to participate jointly with members of\nthe armed forces of one or more foreign countries in the headquarters\noperations of high-level military commands which were established\nprior to the date of enactment of this joint resolution and pursuant to\n59 Stat. 1031.\nthe United Nations Charter or any treaty ratified by the United States\nprior to such date.\n\"Introduction\n(c) For purposes of this joint resolution, the term \"introduction of\nof United\nUnited States Armed Forces\" includes the assignment of members of\nStates Armed\nsuch armed forces to command, coordinate, participate in the move-\nForcos.\"\nment of, or accompany the regular of irregular military forces of any\nforeign country or government when such inilitary forces are engaged,\nor there exists an imminent threat that such forces will become\nengaged, in hostilities.\n(d) Nothing in this joint resolution-\n(1) is intended to alter the constitutional authority oi the Con-\ngress or of the President, or the provisions of existing treaties; or\n(2) shall be construed us granting any authority to the President\nwith respect to the roduction of United States Armed Forces\nFORD A. RACED LIBRARY\ninto hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities\nis clearly indicated by the circumstances which authority he would\nnot have had in the absence of this joint resolution.\nNovember 7, 1973\n- 5 -\nPub. Law 93-148\nat SEPARABILITY CLAUSE\nSec. 9. If any provision of this joint resolution or the application\nthereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid. the remainder of\nthe joint resolution and the application of such provision to any other\nperson or circumstance shall not be affected thereby.\nEFFECTIVE DATE\nSEC. 10. This joint resolution shall take effect on the date of its\nenactment.\nCARL ALBERT\nSpeaker of the House of Representatives.\nJAMES O. EASTLAND\nPresident of the Senate pro tempore.\nIN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S.,\nNovember 7, 1973.\nContains Assess\nThe House of Representatives having proceeded to reconsider the resolution\n(H. J. Res. 542) entitled \"Joint resolution concerning the war powers of\nCongress and the President\", returned by the President of the United States\nwith his objections, to the House of Representatives, in which it originated, It\nwas\nResolved, That the said resolution pass, two-thirds of the House of\nRepresentatives agreeing to pass the same.\nAttest:\nW. PAT JENNINGS\nClerk.\nI certify that this Joint Resolution originated in the House of Representa-\ntives.\nW. PAT JENNINGS\nClerk.\nIN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES\nNovember 7, 1973.\nThe Senate having proceeded to reconsider the joint resolution (H. J. Res.\n542) entitled \"Joint resolution concerning the war powers of Congress and the\nPresident\", returned by the President of the United States with his objections\nto the House of Representatives, in which it originated, it was\n87 STAT. 559\n87 STAT. 500\neven RALD A. FORD\nGE\nPub, Law 93-148\nM 6 -\nNovember 7, 1973\nBY STAT. 560\nResolved, That the said joint resolution pass, two-thirds of the Senators\npresent having voted 1:1 the attirmative.\nAttest:\nFRANCIS R. VALEO\nSecretary.\nLEGISLATIVE HISTORY:\nHOUSE REPORTS: No. 93-287 (Comm. on Foreign Affairs) and No. 93-547\n(Comm. of Conference).\nSENATE REPORT No. 93-220 accompanying S. 440 (Comm. on Foreign\nRelations).\nCONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 119 (1973)\nJune 25, July 18, considered and passed House.\nJuly 18 - 20, considered end passed Senate, amended, in\nlieu of S. 440.\nOct. 10, Senate agreed to conference report.\nOct. 12, House agreed to conference report,\nWEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 9, No. 43:\nOst, 24, vetoed; Presidential message,\nCONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 119 (1973):\nNov. 7, House and Senate overrode veto,\nR. FORD\nNovember 7, 1973\n- 3\nPub. Law 93-148\n07 STAT. 557\nCONGRESSIONAL PRIORITY PROCEDURES FOR JOINT RESOLUTION 000 1111.1.\nSEC. 6. (n) Any joint resolution or bill introduced pursuant to see-\ntion 5(h) nt least thirty calendar days before the expiration of the\nsixty-day period specified in such section shall be referred to the Com-\nmitteo on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the\nCommittee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, us the case may be, and\nsuch committee shall report one such joint resolution or bill, together\nwith its recommendations, not later than twenty-four calendar days\nbefore the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section,\nunless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.\n(b) Any joint resolution or bill SO reported shall become the pend-\ning business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the\ntime for debate shall be equally divided between the proponents and\nthe opponents), and shall be voted on within three calendar days there-\nafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and mays.\n(c) Such a joint resolution or bill passed by one House shall be\nreferred to the committee of the other House named in subsection\n(a) and shall be reported out not later than fourteen calendar days\nbefore the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in section (b).\nThe joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the pending\nbusiness of the House in question and shall be voted on within three\ncalendar days after it has been reported, unless such Honse shall other-\nwise determine by yeas and nays.\n(d) In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of\nCongress with respect to a joint resolution or bill passed by both\nllouses, conferces shall be promptly appointed and the committee of\nconference shall make and file It report with respect to such resolution\nor bill not later than four calendar days before the expiration of the\nsixty-day period specified in section 5(b). In the event the conferees\nare mable to agree within 48 hours, they shall report back to their\nrespective Houses in disagreement. Notwithstanding any rule in either\nHouse concerning the printing of conference reports in the Record or\nconcerning any delay in the consideration of such reports. such report\nshall be acted on by both Houses not later than the expiration of such\nsixty-day period.\nCONGRESSIONAL PRIORITY PROCEDURES FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTION\nSEC. 7. (n) Any concurrent resolution introduced pursuant to sec-\ntion 5 (c) shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the\nHouse of Representatives or the Committee 011 Foreign Relations of\nthe Senate, as the case may be, and one such concurrent resolution shall\nbe reported out by such committee together, with its recommendations\nwithin fifteen calendar days, unless such ] Iouse shall otherwise deter-\nmine by the yeas and nays.\n(b) Any concurrent resolution so reported shall become the pending\nbusiness of the House in question (in the ease of the Senate the time\nfor debute shall be equally divided between the proponents and the\nopponents) and shall be voted on within three calendar days there-\nafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and mays.\n(c) Such a concurrent resolution passed by one House shall be\nreferred to the committee of the other House named in subsection (ii)\nRALD GE R. FORD ABRART\nand shall be reported out by such committee together with its recom-\nmendations within fifteen calendar days and shall thereupon become\nthe pending business of such House and shall be voted upon within\nFOR IMMEIDATE RELEASE\nMAY 12, 1975\nOffice of the White House Press Secretary\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nSTATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY\nWe have been informed that a Cambodian naval vessel has seized\nan American merchant ship on the high seas and forced it to the\nport of Kompong Som. The President has met with the NSC. He\nconsiders this seizure an act of piracy. He has instructed the\nState Department to demand the immediate release of the ship.\nFailure to do so would have the most serious consequences.\n#\n#\n#\nFORD R LIBRARY RALD on\n98\nHawng Luk\n102\n106\nXam Nual\nNam Dinht\nBurma\nMuang\nPakening\nFang\nChing\nMekung\nLaos\nRa\nLousngphrabang\nNorth\nXiangkhoung\nVietnam\nGulf\nat\nP\nMuang\nTonkin\nNan\nChiang Mai\nr. Not\nangviang\nVinh\nMuang\nMae\nPakxan\nShring\nkampang\nBung\nPhrae\nVientiane\nKan\n18\n18\nNong Khai\nUdon\nThank\nMakhon Phanom,\nMuang\nLoei\nKhammouan\nSakon\nNakhon\nMicking\nTak\nPhilmanulok\nXeno\nKawhareik\nMukdahan\nMoutmein\nSavannakhet\nMile Nam\nPhetchatiun\nKhon\nKaer\nPhone\n0\nMas NamPaS.K\nRo EU\nKhemmaral\nLaos\nNakon Sawan\nChao\nMun\nUbon\nYe\nName\nRachathani\nPakie\nWard\nLop\nChamrap\nNakhon\nSun\nRatchasima\nSunn\nMan Kinny\nSuphan Burj\n0\nPhra Nakhon Si\nTavdy\nKanchanaburi\nAyulthaye\n14\n0\nBangkok\nKabin Bun\nAndaman\nSisophon\nSamut Patient\nRachoengsan\nSea\nRat Bun\nSamul\nSongkhram\nCambodia\nwas\nRayong\nKampang\nMERGBI 2 of\nHua\nSattship\nThom\nMargui\nPursan\nHin\n0\nMoxong\ntrat\nBurma\nPrachuap\nKhiri Khan\nCP\nPhnom Penh\nis\nGulf\nChumphon\nKompong Som\nof\nVinthLong\n10\n10\nRanong\nThailand\n(Victnam)\nSouth\n30\nViotnam\n0\nQuan Lond\n00\nFORD is IBRAR\n16\napproximate location of\nNakhon S,\nMayaguez seizure.\nThammarat\n(00948 N - 10253 E)\nPhuket o,\nThailand\nPhatthalung\nTuing\nRailroad\nStrait\nSongkhia\nRoad\nof\nHal Yar\nTrail\nMalacca\nPattern\nSatun\nSadad\nAlor\n0\n50\n100\n150 Miles\nSetar\nKuta Bahalu\n0\n50\n100\n150 Kilometers\nNAMES AND ROUNDARY REPRESENTATION\nARE NOT NECERSARILY AUTHORITATIVE\nMulaysia\n1142\nKaula Keyal\n: M\nBase\nMay 13, 1975\nOffice of the White House Press Secretary\nNOTICE TO THE PRESS\nThe following information was made availableat 3p.m. today at the Pentagon:\nMEMORANDUM FOR CORRESPONDENTS:\nMAY 13, 1975\nThe following Notice to Mariners (#NR45) was issued by the Defense\nMapping Agency Hydrographic Center at 7:15 p.m. EDT, May 12:\n\"Special Warning: Shipping is advised until further notice to remain more\nthan 35 nautical miles off the coast of Cambodia and more than 20 nautical\nmiles off the coast of Vietnam including off lying islands. Recent incidents\nhave been reported of firing on, stopping and detention of ships within\nwaters claimed by Cambodia, particularly in vicinity of Poulo Wai Island.\nThis warning in no way should be construed as United States recognition of\nCambodian or Vietnamese territorial sea claims or as derogation of the\nright of innocent passage for United States flag vessels, or derogation of the\nfreedom of the high seas.\"\n#\n#\n#\nFORD IT LIBRARY 77\nNATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION\nPresidential Libraries Withdrawal Sheet\nWITHDRAWAL ID 09111\nREASON FOR WITHDRAWAL\nNational security restriction\nTYPE OF MATERIAL\nMemorandum\nCREATOR'S NAME\nJack Marsh\nRECEIVER'S NAME\nPhil Buchen\nDESCRIPTION\nSummary of the NSC Meeting\nCREATION DATE\n05/13/1975\nVOLUME\n2 pages\nCOLLECTION/SERIES/FOLDER ID\n006701294\nCOLLECTION TITLE\nJOHN O. MARSH FILES (WH Counsellor)\nBOX NUMBER\n122\nFOLDER TITLE\n5/14/75 - Mayaguez Seizure (1)-(2)\nDATE WITHDRAWN\n01/30/1998\nWITHDRAWING ARCHIVIST\nWHM\nPartially copy declassified in open file\nTOP SECRET\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nMay 13, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nPHIL BUCHEN\nFROM:\nJACK MARSH\nSummary of the NSC Meeting\nAt the NSC Meeting there was a discussion of the seizure of the American\nship which has not been taken into port on the mainland but is being held\nat an off-shore island approximately 30 miles at sea. She has one anchor\ndown and one anchor up with some heat from the boiler and it is improbable\nthat the Cambodians can sail her. She has one tug and one high speed motor\nbeside her.\nSome people, probably crew members, have been taken off and moved to the\nisland. It is believed that probably some crew members remain on the ship\nwhich is being kept under Air Force surveillance.\nThe President was advised by General Jones that orders had been issued not\nto allow the ship to move to port and to take such steps to prevent that short\nof sinking her.\nAnticipated Actions are:\n1.\nnearby air passes to frighten.\n2.\ndamage by gunfire to the controls at the stern.\n3.\nif taken in tow, attack the tug.\nAt about 11: 30 a.m., the President issued instructions that U.S. forces would\ninterdict all craft moving to and from the island immediately in order to\nprevent the Americans from being taken to the mainland. General Jones\nindicated they would try to use search lights and flares from P-3 aircraft to\nidentify boat targets for the purpose of avoiding attack on small craft carrying\nAmericans.\n&\nFORD\nDECLASSIFIED E.O. 12958 Sec. 3.6\nTOP SECRET\nHALDR.\nHALD\nWith PORTIONS EXEMPTED\nE.O. 12958 Sec. 1.5 ( )\nCopy of doc in Buchen, MR 89-15 # 3\nBy KBH NARA, Date 1/29/98\nTOP SECRET\n-2-\nThe following actions are being comtemplated (Washington time)\n1.\nAt 7:00 p.m. this evening there could be a helicopter assault by U.S.\nMarines on the ship.\n2.\nAt 6 a.m. Wednesday morning, the destroyer HOLT will arrive on the\nscene and be able to prevent movement of the vessel as well as augment\nthe Marines if the assault takes place.\n3.\nAt 7:00 p.m. Wednesday it is anticipated that if the crewmen have not\nbeen returned or the ship has not been returned, the landing forces\nof 1,000 Marines will assault the island to free the Americans.\nADDITIONAL INFORMATION\n4.\nThursday, 3:00 a.m. the U.S. CORAL SEA should arrive on the scene.\n5.\nFriday, 4:00 a.m., the U.S. HANCOCK should arrive on the scene.\nAll of the above times are estimated Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Washington,\nD.C.\nIt is admitted that Cambodia can and may sink the vessel at any time. The\nnumber of Americans on the ship or on the island is uncertain.\nThe meeting adjourned to be recalled shortly this same day for the purpose of\ndeciding upon options to pursue. At the present time, the most immediate action\nis a helicopter assault at 7:00 p.m. this evening which is considered to be a high\nrisk operation inasmuch as the containers on the deck are not believed to be\nsufficiently strong to support a helicopter landing.\nThe landing will be achieved by\nrappelling forces from the helicopter.\nTOP SECRET\nFORD HALAR of LIBRAR RALE\nto\n[5/13/75]\n5pm\nStatus of the U.S. Merchant Ship Selzed\nHans\nThe S. S. Mayaguez, seized by Cambodian Communist forces, May 2,\nis now about 20 miles outside the port of Kompony Sum, just north of Noh\nTang Island. The ship is dead in the water, and there is reason to collere\nthat most or all of its crew has been transferred to the island. The\nship is being kept under surveillance by U.S. reconnaissance aircraft.\nAs a precautionary measure, several U.S. Navy combat vessels\nhave been ordered to proceed to the general area of Koh Tang Island.\nThe U.S. has requested that Phnom Penh authorities have the ship\nreleased immediately. We have, so far, received no reply.\nAn NSC meeting was convened this morning.\nRALD THE A. FORD\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nMay 13, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nJOHN MARSH\nTHROUGH:\nMAX FRIEDERSDORF\nFROM:\nVERN LOEN VC\nSUBJECT:\nCongressional calls on Cambodian\nseizure of the merchant ship MAYAGUEZ\nFORD & LIBRO RALD\nMEMBER:\nRep. John Rhodes (R-Ariz.)\nDATE:\n5/13/75\nTIME:\n5:50 p.m.\nPLACE:\nOffice of Rep. Bob Wilson, (R-Calif) (SOS Club)\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke with Rep. Rhodes\nCOMMENTS:\nRhodes: \"Are marines being sent in? \"\nLoen: \"I have no such information. 11\nRhodes and Wilson: \"Thanks for the report. 11\nFORD EIE & RALD\nm.\nMEMBER:\nRep. George Mahon (D-Texas)\nDATE:\n5/13/75\nTIME:\n6:05 p.m.\nPLACE:\nReached at his office\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke with Rep. Mahon\nCOMMENTS:\n\"Good. I think he should do that. I\nappreciate this report very much. \"\nFORD LIBRAR & OERALD RALD\nno\nMEMBER:\nRep. William Broomfield (R-Mich.)\nDATE:\n5/13/75\nTIME:\n5:55 p.m.\nPLACE:\nReached at his office by Vern Loen\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke with Rep. Broomfield\nCOMMENTS:\n\"Good, good. I'm all for it. Thanks for\nthe report. 11\nFORD & LIBRARY RALO\n13\nMEMBER:\nRep. Mel Price\nDATE:\nMay 13, 1975\nTIME:\n5:50 p.m.\nPLACE:\nWashington, D. C. in office\nCONTACT:\nDouglas P. Bennett personally spoke with Mr. Price\nCOMMENTS:\nFine, thank you.\nFORD & LIBRAR RALD\nMEMBER:\nRep. John McFall\nDATE:\nMay 13, 1975\nTIME:\n11:00 p.m.\nPLACE:\nWashington, D. C. at home\nCONTACT:\nDouglas P. Bennett spoke personally with Mr. McFall\nCOMMENTS:\nThe President should keep going. He's doing the\nright thing. Fine, thank you.\nRALD ? FORD\n13\nMEMBER:\nRep. El Cederberg\nDATE:\nMay 13, 1975\nTIME:\n5:55 p.m.\nPLACE:\nWashington, D. C. in office\nCONTACT:\nDouglas P. Bennett spoke personally with Mr. Cederberg\nCOMMENTS:\nCan't allow it to happen\nwe must do what it takes\nto get the ship back.\notherwise we may as well put\nthe Navy in mothballs.\nThank you.\nFORD LIBRAR & HVH\nMEMBER:\nRep. Bob Michel\nDATE:\nTuesday, May 13, 1975\nTIME:\n5:59 p.m.\nPLACE:\nCongressional District Office, Washington, D.C.\nCONTACT:\nCharles Leppert spoke with Member personally\nCOMMENTS:\n\"That's good. Do we know where the crew is?\"\nYes, there is reason to believe that most or all\nof the crew has been transferred to the nearby\nisland.\nThat's the least we can do. I'm for doing more.\nWe can't let these birds horse us around.\nFORD\n&\n8\nRALD\nMEMBER:\nRep. Thomas E. \"Doc\" Morgan\nDATE:\nTuesday, May 13, 1975\nTIME:\n6:08 p.m.\nPLACE:\nAt. Rep. Wayne Hay's party on Capitol Hill\nCONTACT:\nCharles Leppert talked to the Member personally.\nCOMMENTS:\n\"No. That's exactly what I think he should have\ndone. \"\nALD A. $17 FORD\nMEMBER:\nRep. Thomas P. \"Tip\" O'Neill\nDATE:\nTuesday, May 13, 1975\nTIME:\n6:14 p.m.\nPLACE:\nMajority Leader's office, Washington, D.C.\nCONTACT:\nCharles Leppert spoke personally with the Member.\nCOMMENTS:\n\"Where is the ship?\nAbout 20 miles outside the port of Kompong Som.\n\"Where's the crew?\"\nThere is reason to believe that most or all of the\ncrew has been transferred to the nearby island.\n\"Do we have ships there ?\"\nI believe there have been news reports on the\nradio that we have ships steaming there.\n11\n\"Those bastards, we can't let them get away with\nthis. They'll harass us forever. \"\nFORD ALD R LIBE # ALD"
}