The Signing of The Vietnam Peace Award was done on January 27th 1973. Here is some history and hard facts.
The United States, South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and North Vietnam formally sign “An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” in Paris. Due to South Vietnam’s unwillingness to recognize the Viet Cong’s Provisional Revolutionary Government, all references to it were confined to a two-party version of the document signed by North Vietnam and the United States—the South Vietnamese were presented with a separate document that did not make reference to the Viet Cong government. This was part of Saigon’s long-time refusal to recognize the Viet Cong as a legitimate participant in the discussions to end the war.
The settlement included a cease-fire throughout Vietnam. It addition, the United States agreed to the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and advisors (totalling about 23,700) and the dismantling of all U.S. bases within 60 days. In return, the North Vietnamese agreed to release all U.S. and other prisoners of war.
Both sides agreed to the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Laos and Cambodia and the prohibition of bases in and troop movements through these countries. It was agreed that the DMZ at the 17th Parallel would remain a provisional dividing line, with eventual reunification of the country “through peaceful means.” An international control commission would be established made up of Canadians, Hungarians, Poles, and Indonesians, with 1,160 inspectors to supervise the agreement. According to the agreement, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu would continue in office pending elections. Agreeing to “the South Vietnamese People’s right to self-determination,” the North Vietnamese said they would not initiate military movement across the DMZ and that there would be no use of force to reunify the country.
Hard Facts
The youngest KIA Dan Bullock 15 years of age * Oldest Dwaine McGriff 63 years of age. * At least 5 men KIA were 16 years of age. * At least 12 men were 17 years old. * At least 25,000 were 20 years old. * Number of Chaplains 16 Two received The Medal Of Honor. * 8 Women were KIA Seven Army One Air Force. * Sgt Robert G. Davidson of Muskegon Michigan joined the Marine Corps at the age of 14. He had four years of service in the Marines was sent to Vietnam at the age of 18. Was KIA on Dec. 17 1966 one day before his 19th birthday. * There were 40 brothers that were KIA.* There were Three Fathers and sons KIA.* The most common name that were KIA Smith 667. There are many more hard facts, I will stop for now.
Till next week Praying for All Service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
