TLS as president signed “Jerry Ford,” one page, 6.75 x 8.75, White House letterhead, May 21, 1975. Letter to Florida Congressman Bill Young, in full: “I have received your telegram of May 16 and have also noted your remarks in the Congressional Record for May 15 expressing congratulations for my decision to retake the SS MAYAGUEZ and to rescue its crew. As you know, we did pursue a diplomatic solution, but after 48 hours of not receiving any response from the Cambodian Government, I concluded that Congress and the American people would back my action to recover the ship and its crew by military action. Your support is deeply appreciated.” In very fine condition.
This letter dates to a week after the historic Mayaguez incident, which occurred on May 12-15, 1975, and is often considered the last official battle of the Vietnam War era. The event began when the SS Mayaguez, an American container ship, was seized by Khmer Rouge forces while it was passing through what were believed to be international waters near Cambodia. After failed diplomatic attempts, the U.S. military launched a series of rapid and decisive strikes, and a group of Marines was sent to recapture the ship and rescue the crew from Koh Tang Island. Unbeknownst to U.S. forces, the Khmer Rouge had already moved the Mayaguez crew to another location, and they were eventually released without any further violence. The assault on Koh Tang was met with unexpectedly fierce resistance from Khmer Rouge forces, which resulted in heavy American casualties. Despite these losses, the incident was seen by the Ford administration as a demonstration of U.S. resolve in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, showing that the U.S. would not tolerate aggression against its citizens.
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