Operation Homecoming

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For the book and documentary about American servicepeople returning from Iraq and Afghanistan in the 2000s, see Operation Homecoming (book) and Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience.

Hanoi Taxi flying over the National Museum of the United States Air Force in December 2005

Operation Homecoming was a series of diplomatic negotiations that in January 1973 made possible the return of 591 American prisoners of war held by North Vietnam. On Feb. 12, 1973, three C-141A transports flew to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and one C-9A aircraft was sent to Saigon, South Vietnam to pick up released prisoners of war. The first flight of 40 U.S. prisoners of war left Hanoi in a C-141A, later known as the "Hanoi Taxi" and now in a museum. From February 12 to April 4, there were 54 C-141 missions flying out of Hanoi, bringing the former POWs home.^[1]

[edit] Statistics

591 POWs released to U.S. authorities 13 captured in Laos and released in North Vietnam 122 Captured in South Vietnam 28 released in the South 94 released in the North 3 released in China

Released from enemy control prior to Operation Homecoming:

76 early releases 5 released by Laos 32 released by Cambodia 13 released by North Vietnam 1 released by China 25 released by South Vietnam

Escaped from enemy control prior to Operation Homecoming:

32 early releases 30 captured in South Vietnam 2 captured in Laos

Escaped from enemy control after Operation Homecoming:

2 captured in South Vietnam and escaped to Saigon

After Operation Homecoming, over 2,400 POW's were still unaccounted for as of when the US left in 1973.

Each plane brought back 40 POWs. During the early part of Operation Homecoming, groups of POWs released were selected on the basis of longest length of time in prison. The first group had spent 6-8 years as prisoners of war.