Video: 'Gerald Ford: Mayaguez Incident'

(Thursday, May 15, 1975, 6:12 a.m. ICT; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. forces invaded the Cambodian island of Koh Tang today and recaptured the American merchant ship Mayaguez in the last official battle of the Vietnam War.

All 40 crew members had already been released safely by Cambodia; some 40 U.S. servicemen were killed in the operation, including 23 when their helicopter crashed due to a mechanical failure.

Video: 'Vietnam War, The Mayaguez Incident (1975)' (4 videos)

(Monday, May 12, 1975, 2:18 p.m. local time; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — The White House announced today the new Cambodian government had seized an American merchant ship, the Mayaguez, in international waters.

U.S. Marines gained control of the ship three days after its seizure, not knowing the 39 civilian members of the crew had already been released by Cambodia.

Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 30, 1975, at 50:04)

(Wednesday, April 30, 1975, 10:24 a.m. ICT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh announced today the unconditional surrender of the Saigon Government and its military forces to the Vietcong. Continue reading Minh surrenders, Vietcong in Saigon 40 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 30, 1975, at 41:44)

(Sunday, April 30, 1975, 7:53 a.m. ICT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — The last ten Marine security guards and their commander (Major Kean) at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam, were evacuated on a Marine Corps helicopter this morning, concluding the United States presence in Vietnam. Total U.S. casualties for the war: 58,303 dead and 303,644 wounded. Continue reading Last American troops depart Vietnam 40 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 30, 1975, at 40:02)

(Sunday, April 30, 1975, 4:58 a.m. ICT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin boarded a Marine Corps helicopter this morning in Saigon and was flown to the USS Blue Ridge. Continue reading Ambassador Graham Martin departs Vietnam 40 years ago this hour (Apr 30 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 29, 1975, at 42:54)

(Tuesday, April 29, 1975, 2:00 p.m. ICT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — U.S. President Gerald Ford ordered the emergency evacuation today of all Americans remaining in South Vietnam. Continue reading U.S. begins withdrawing Americans from Saigon by helicopter 40 years ago this hour (Apr 29 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 29, 1975, at 41:50)

(Tuesday, April 29, 1975; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Saigon’s Tan Son Nhut airport came under the heaviest rocket attack of the war early this morning, preventing passenger planes from taking off, as North Vietnamese troops assaulted parts of the city’s suburbs. But U.S. ambassador, Graham Martin was still reluctant to begin a full-scale helicopter evacuation. Continue reading Saigon’s airport under rocket fire 40 years ago today (Apr 29 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 28, 1975, at 41:20)

(Monday, April 28, 1975, 5:00 p.m. ICT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — As overwhelming Communist forces moved to within barely one mile of Saigon’s city limits this morning, South Vietnamese leaders acted at almost the last minute to install Gen. Duong Van Minh (replacing 71-year old Tran Van Huong, who took office a week ago today) as President to end the war on Communist terms. Continue reading Minh replaces Huong as South Vietnamese president 40 years ago this hour (Apr 28 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam a Television History Episode 11' (Apr. 28, 1975, at 40:59)

(Monday, April 28, 1975, daybreak; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — At daybreak today, South Vietnamese troops faced North Vietnamese commandos at the Newport Bridge. They were at the gates of Saigon. Continue reading North Vietnamese commandos at the gates of Saigon 40 years ago this morning (Apr 28 1975) →

Video: 'Vietnam The Ten Thousand Day War 12of13 Surrender (Apr. 27, 1975, at 30:00)

(Sunday, April 27, 1975, 4:00 a.m. ICT; during the 1975 Spring Offensive of the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and Cold War) — Five rockets dropped into a densely populated Saigon slum today, leaving 5,000 homeless. Now, fears of a blood bath increase.