S.Res. 280 — Introduced in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 280 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES October 31, 2013Mr. Thune (for himself, Mr. Baucus, and Mr. McCain) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Recognizing the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of United States combat troops from the Vietnam War and expressing renewed support for United States veterans of that conflict. Whereas the United States Armed Forces supported the cause of freedom in South Vietnam between October 1955 and May 7, 1975, beginning with the commencement of the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Vietnam, with many servicemembers making the ultimate sacrifice; Whereas the United States carried out its first combat mission in Vietnam on January 12, 1962; Whereas a total of 8,744,000 personnel served worldwide during the Vietnam War era, including 4,368,000 in the United States Army, 1,842,000 in the United States Navy, 794,000 in the United States Marine Corps, and 1,740,000 in the United States Air Force; Whereas the number of United States servicemembers deployed in theater rose to a peak of 543,482 in April 1969; Whereas 1,857,304 men entered military service through the Selective Service System between August 1964 and February 1973; Whereas, of the 58,220 casualties of United States personnel, 47,434 were battle deaths; Whereas 153,303 wounded United States servicemembers required hospital care; Whereas an additional 150,341 wounded United States servicemembers did not require hospital care; Whereas 2,646 United States servicemembers went missing in action during the Vietnam War, of whom 1,645 are still unaccounted for; Whereas 725 United States servicemembers were taken as prisoners of war, with 64 dying while in internment; Whereas the Paris Peace Accords, signed on January 27, 1973, put an end to the direct intervention of the United States in the Vietnam War; and Whereas the last United States combat troops left South Vietnam 2 months later in the spring of 1973: Now, therefore, be it That— (1) the Senate honors the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of United States combat troops from the Vietnam War; (2) the Senate renews its support for United States veterans of that conflict; and (3) when the Senate adjourns today, the Senate will stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of United States servicemembers who have given their lives in the name of service to the United States.