This program is 26 minutes long
#482692
(Studio) Rescue of captured American ship and crew successful. United States Marines carrying out rescue mission off Koh Tang island and on carrier Coral Sea; fighting heavy. 1 Marine and 1 Air Force man killed; some wounded; 14 missing. Mayaguez crew unharmed; found in small fishing boat with fishermen from Thailand apparently released by Cambodians. Defense Department film of portion of rescue operation shown. United States copters have hard time landing Marines on Koh Tang s. because of heavy Communist fire.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) 1st American strike came late Tuesday night against Cambodian gunboats responsible for Mayaguez seizure. 21 hrs. later, President ordered rescue of Mayaguez and crew. United States Marines board Mayaguez; no crew members found; at same time, more Marines invade Koh Tang island; 3 copters knocked out by Communist fire. Air strike ordered against Ream AB on Cambodia's mainland around 11:00 p.m.; about same time destroyer Wilson sights fishing boat containing Mayaguez crew. Koh Tang fighting conts. [Defense Secretary James SCHLESINGER - says action taken to reaffirm freedom of seas; represents firm response to crude use of force.] Marines withdraw from island in choppers and small boats. [Pentagon spokesperson Joseph LAITIN - announces end of rescue operation.] No. of American casualties still not clear; reports incomplete.
REPORTER: Charles Quinn
(Studio) White House jubilant following successful rescue mission.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(White House) President decides to take military action during National Security Council mtg. late yesterday afternoon. Congress leaders later called to White House for briefing of situation. White House photographs follow administration from its decision to rescue ship and crew to successful conclusion of rescue mission. [Around 12:30 a.m. PRES. - announces successful rescue of Mayaguez and crew. United States forces still under hostile fire and are preparing to disengage.] Shortly after last Marine off Koh Tang island, President greets Shah of Iran at White House At noon, Mr. Ford meets with ranking members Senator For. Relations Committee [Senator John SPARRMAN - praises President' actions.] Public response to Mr. Ford's moves overwhelmingly favorable.
REPORTER: Tom Brokaw
(Studio) National poll conducted by NBC news shows support for military action from 2 out every 3 people polled.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#482695
(Studio) President notifies Congress by letter of his decision to use military force to rescue Mayaguez and crew; action conforms with war powers act provision.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Capitol Hill) Details of letter outlined; Senator Mike Mansfield says President lived up to war powers act by rpting. incident to Congress Most cong. members strongly support President [Senators Barry GOLDWATER, Henry JACKSON - praise President Ford's action.] [Senator Gaylord NELSON, Representative Don. RIEGLE, Senator William HATHAWAY - react negatively to President' decision for military action.] Cambodian incident stands to be political plus for Mr. Ford.
REPORTER: Catherine Mackin
(Studio) Some question whether President complied with war powers act.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) 2 years ago, Congress decided overwhelmingly it should have voice in mil. decisions. President' cnsl. Philip Buchen says there wasn't time to consult Congress before President made decision. Harvard law expert Raul Berger calls President' action unconst. and deplorable. Senator Jacob Javits admits President' compliance with bill not 100%, but any inquiry now would be nitpicking.
REPORTER: Carl Stern
#482696
(Studio) Reaction to United States rescue of Mayaguez varies around world. Reactions from China, North Korea, Japan, Israel given. Thailand reacts angrily.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Bangkok, Thailand) New round of anti-American demonstrations sparked by US Marines landing in Thailand before rescue of Mayaguez began. American embassy officials presented with list of demonstrators' demands; details given. Local newspapers deplore United States action. Thai officials seem embarrassed by whole operation.
REPORTER: Arthur Lord
(Studio) United States orders last of 1100 Marine rescue force out of Thailand. Thai Prime Min. Kukrit Pramoj criticizes United States for using Thailand as staging area; United States preparing response.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(DC) [Audio difficulties 5:45:10-5:45:30.] Officials here don't see break in US, Thai relations United States officials highly pleased with Mayaguez operation. 1 reason for military action may have been to signal China and North Korea that United States still considers itself major Pacific power.
REPORTER: Richard Valeriani
#482697
(Studio) In Laos, 3 American officials taken hostage by Laotian students yesterday under house arrest today. Laotian officials trying to negotiate their release. 3 are Sanford Stone, Daniel Ster, and Charles Pearcy.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#482699
(Studio) Mayaguez to arrive in Singapore Saturday and according to Michael McEvoy, chairperson of Sea-Land Services, owner of ship, world to discover Mayaguez not spy ship nor did it carry arms.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Menlow Park, New Jersey) [Michael McEVOY - reveals ship's cargo.]
REPORTER: No reporter given
#482700
(Studio) Families of Mayaguez crew members react.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Ensenada, California) [Father of Mayaguez crew member Clifford MYREGARD - says he's very happy; thinks President' actions right.]
REPORTER: No reporter given
(San Pablo, California) [Wife of crew mbr., Delores COOMBS - says she's very happy with outcome. Expresses sorrow with regard to casualties.]
REPORTER: No reporter given
#482701
(Studio) R. J. Reynolds Ind., parent company of firm owning Mayaguez, to fly out new crew for ship and fly rescued crew home.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#482702
(Studio) Senator passes bill to establish federal consumer protection agency, President Ford strongly opposes bill.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#482703
(Studio) Exxon says it's made political contributions in Canada and Italy.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#482704
(Studio) Department of Health, Education and Welfare Secretary Caspar Weinberger announces 8% increase in Social Security benefits begins with July checks.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
#482706
(Studio) Congress expected to complete action soon on aid for South Vietnam refugees expected to settle in US. Some South Vietnam want to return home.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
(Guam) Refugees have various reasons for wanting to return to South Vietnam; details given. 1 woman afraid she won't be able to feed children in American; sailor wants to return claiming he was evacuated by mistake.
REPORTER: Lew Allison
(Studio) NBC polls Americans' opinions with regard to South Vietnam refugees; survey results follow.
REPORTER: John Chancellor
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