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7338725
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President's Letter to the Speaker of the House concerning Cambodia
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document
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id
7338725
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contentType
document
title
President's Letter to the Speaker of the House concerning Cambodia
citationUrl
collections
White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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7338725
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12
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1975-04-12
month
4
year
1975
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nara-archive
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b46f7196c2c04d47
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Digitized from Box 9 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 12, 1975
Dear Mr. Speaker:
(Identical copy to President of Senate)
As you and other members of Congress were advised,
in view of circumstances in Cambodia, the United
States had certain contingency plans to utilize
United States Armed Forces to assure the safe
evacuation of U. S. Nationals from that country.
On Friday, 11 April 1975, the Khmer Communists
forces had ruptured Government of the Khmer
Republic (GKR) defensive lines to the north, north-
west and east of Phnom Penh and were within mortar
range of Pochentong Airfield and the outskirts of
Phnom Penh. In view of this deteriorating military
situation, and on the recommendations of the
American Ambassador there, I ordered U. S. military
forces to proceed with the planned evacuation out
of consideration for the safety of U. S. citizens.
In accordance with my desire that the Congress be
fully informed on this matter, and taking note of
Section 4 of the War Powers Resolution (P.L. 93-148),
I wish to report to you that the first elements of
the U. S. forces entered Cambodian airspace at
8:34 P.M. EDT on 11 April. Military forces included
350 ground combat troops of the U. S. Marines, 36
helicopters, and supporting tactical air and command
and control elements. The Marines were deployed from
helicopters to assure the security of helicopter
landing zone within the city of Phnom Penh. The
first helicopter landed at approximately 10:00 P.M.
EDT 11 April 1975, and the last evacuees and ground
security force Marines departed the Cambodian landing
zone at approximately 12:20 A.M. on 12 April 1975.
The last elements of the force to leave received
hostile recoilless rifle fire. There was no firing
by U. S. forces at any time during the operation.
No U. S. Armed Forces personnel were killed, wounded
or missing, and there were no casualties among the
American evacuees.
- 2 -
Although these forces were equipped for combat
within the meaning of Section 4 (a) (2) of Public
Law 93-148, their mission was to effect the
evacuation of U. S. Nationals. Present informa-
tion indicates that a total of 82 U. S. citizens
were evacuated and that the task force was also
able to accommodate 35 third country nationals
and 159 Cambodians including employees of the
U. S. Government.
The operation was ordered and conducted pursuant
to the President's Constitutional executive power
and authority as Commander-in-Chief of U. S.
Armed Forces.
I am sure you share with me my pride in the Armed
Forces of the United States and my thankfulness
that the operation was conducted without incident.
Sincerely,
(signed Gerald R. Ford)
The Honorable
The Speaker
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D. C. 20515
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