Military
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On 20 November 1970, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Forces and the U.S. Army Special Forces conducted a daring raid deep in North Vietnamese territory on the Son Tay prison camp 23 miles west of Hanoi. The mission sought to rescue 70 American POWs being held at Son Tay and to convey to American POWs that their country had not forgotten them. The 27-minute operation was a brilliant military success. The Son Tay raiders included 56 U.S. Army men and 92 U.S. Air Force men, and 1 HH-3, 5 HH-53s, 1 HC-130P, 2 C-130s, 5 A-1s, 10 F-4s, and 5 F-105s all returned safely, but no prisoners were found. The raid resulted in improved living conditions for American POWs in North Vietnam. The U.S. Navy supported the operation by conducting an effective diversionary raid from the Tonkin Gulf Carrier Task Force with 116 aircraft from 7 bases and 3 aircraft carriers. The men of this Joint Task Force earned the admiration of their countrymen for risking their lives and freedom in an attempt to bring freedom to others.
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