The release of U.S. POWs begins in Hanoi as part of the Paris peace settlement. The return of U.S. POWs began when North Vietnam released 142 of 591 U.S. prisoners at Hanoi's Gia Lam Airport. Part of what was called Operation Homecoming, the first 20 POWs arrived to a hero's welcome at Travis Air Force Base in California on February 14. Operation Homecoming was completed on March 29, 1973, when the last of 591 U.S. prisoners were released and returned to the United States.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- Milosevic goes on trial for war crimes, 2002
- American Revolution
- Ethan Allen dies, 1789
- Automotive
- GM reports record loss, offers buyouts to 74,000 workers, 2008
- Civil War
- Rebel General Robert Ransom is born, 1828
- Cold War
- Russian ships bump U.S. destroyer and cruiser, 1988
- Crime
- Actor Sal Mineo is killed in Hollywood, 1976
- Disaster
- Iranian jet slams into mountain, 2002
- General Interest
- Congress enacts first fugitive slave law, 1793
- Garnet preaches to House on slavery and Civil War, 1865
- Last emperor of China abdicates, 1912
- Scharansky released, 1986
- President Clinton acquitted, 1999
- Hollywood
- Writers’ strike ends after 100 days, 2008
- Literary
- Judy Blume, popular young-adult author, is born, 1938
- Music
- Rhapsody In Blue, by George Gershwin, performed for first time, 1924
- Old West
- Lorne Greene is born, 1915
- Presidential
- Abraham Lincoln is born, 1809
- Sports
- Basketball great Bill Russell born, 1934
- Vietnam War
- Cambodians launch attack to retake Angkor Wat, 1972
- Release of U.S. POWs begins, 1973
- World War I
- British planes raid Belgian coast, 1915
- American schooner Lyman M. Law is sunk, 1917
- World War II
- Rommel in Africa, 1941
Feb 12, 1973:
Release of U.S. POWs begins
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Feb 12 - Feb 18
- Feb 12, 1972
- Cambodians launch attack to retake Angkor Wat
- Feb 12, 1973
- Release of U.S. POWs begins
- Feb 13, 1965
- Johnson approves Operation Rolling Thunder
- Feb 13, 1968
- Additional troops ordered to South Vietnam
- Feb 14, 1962
- Kennedy authorizes U.S. advisors to fire in self-defense
- Feb 14, 1970
- Gallup Poll released
- Feb 15, 1966
- DeGaulle offers to help end Vietnam War
- Feb 15, 1970
- Chicago Eight defense attorneys sentenced
- Feb 16, 1968
- Tet Offensive results in many new refugees
- Feb 17, 1966
- Taylor testifies on Operation Rolling Thunder
- Feb 17, 1968
- U.S. casualty rate reaches record high
- Feb 18, 1965
- United States warns of forthcoming bombing operations
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Grand Canyon
Get the facts on this geological wonder of the world.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Ridiculous Wars
Discover six of history's most preposterous conflicts.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam in HD DVD Set
Their story is in danger of being lost to history. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later.
$24.95
Buy Now -
Vietnam War DVD Set
America's first televised war comes starkly and comprehensively alive in this sweeping documentary collection.
