Operation HOMECOMING: Fifty Years Later

by Ms. Erin Lasley 62d Airlift Wing Historian

Fifty years ago, the United States signed the Paris Peace Accords effectively ending the U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. The country breathed a sigh of relief and eagerly awaited the return of their men and women in uniform.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.—

Throughout 1973, the 62d Military Airlift Wing, alongside other wings within Military Airlift Command, transported military personnel from South Vietnam back to the U.S.

While the country was certainly happy their men and women were returning from one of the longest wars in U.S. history; they also anxiously awaited the return of the United States prisoners of war. As a condition of the Paris Peace Accords, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam agreed to hand over American prisoners they took captive during the conflict, but the U.S. would have to come get them.

Even before the accords were signed in late January 1973, U.S. military planners began hashing out plans to retrieve American POWs By January 1973, planners agreed C-141 Starlifters from MAC would retrieve the POWs from Hanoi and transport them to Clark Air Base, Philippines, where they could receive immediate medical care before their return to the U.S.

On February 12, 1973, a 63d Military Airlift Wing C-141 Starlifter touched down in Hanoi, North Vietnam, to transport American POWs from Hanoi to Clark AB A crew of both 63d and 62d Airmen welcomed