Sen. Baldwin, Rep. Wied Introduce Bill to Honor Veterans of Operation End Sweep with the Vietnam Service Medal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI-08) introduced a bipartisan bill to honor veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep with the Vietnam Service Medal. Currently, participants in Operation End Sweep, a mission to clear dangerous mines from Haiphong harbor and surrounding waters in North Vietnam after the war concluded, are ineligible for this service medal because their service took place after the United States had officially withdrawn from Vietnam in January 1973. The Honoring Operation End Sweep Veterans Act is inspired by Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, who served in Operation End Sweep but was not properly honored for his service.

“The sailors who spent months sweeping for mines in North Vietnam risked their lives to clean up the legacies of the Vietnam War, save lives, and make good on the United States’ commitment to international law,” said Senator Baldwin. “Their service and sacrifice deserve to be honored and recognized alongside the millions of Americans who served their country during the Vietnam War. I’m proud to work with Representative Wied to honor these sailors.”

“Operation End Sweep marked the end of the Vietnam War and serves as a powerful example of the dedication and bravery of our Vietnam veterans, like Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove of Sturgeon Bay, who risked their lives to clean up naval mines left behind in the war’s aftermath,” said Congressman Wied. “I’m proud to stand with Senator Baldwin in introducing this bipartisan bill to ensure their service is honored equally alongside that of every other Vietnam veteran.”

“I am a retired commander in the Navy. As a lieutenant, I was Executive Officer of an ocean-going minesweeper. In 1973, we sailed from Hawaii to Haiphong Harbor as part of Operation End Sweep, sweeping the mines we had placed in Haiphong Harbor,” said Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove of Sturgeon Bay, WI. “We spent 5 months in and out of North Vietnamese waters after Congress had declared the war ended. We received virtually no credit for our efforts. Most have no idea the operation even occurred. I would like to see this bill passed so that those of us who participated in End Sweep receive some recognition for our service.”

The signing of the Paris Peace Accords on January 27, 1973, officially ended direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and the subsequent withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam. Under the Hague Convention of 1907, the U.S. was required to eliminate the mine threat it had created after the end of hostilities.

For this reason, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conducted Operation End Sweep to remove naval mines from Haiphong harbor and other coastal and inland waterways in North Vietnam between February and July 1973. Since Operation End Sweep occurred after the official end of the Vietnam War, servicemembers who participated in the operation are not eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal.

The Honoring Operation End Sweep Veterans Act would direct the Department of Defense to award veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep with the Vietnam Service Medal to recognize their service and sacrifice.

Senator Baldwin has long advocated for addressing the legacies of war and honoring those that do this important and dangerous work. She leads bipartisan legislation with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to honor members of the Southeast Asian Diasporas who supported and defended the U.S. during the Vietnam War. The bill also would authorize funding for the removal of landmines and unexploded ordnances and victim support programs for those injured by landmines and other legacies of war in Vietnam.

A one-pager on this bill is available here. Full bill text is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.