Green Bay Reporter

Today, Congressman Tony Wied and U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at honoring veterans who participated in Operation End Sweep with the Vietnam Service Medal. The operation involved clearing mines from Haiphong harbor and surrounding waters in North Vietnam after the official end of the Vietnam War.

Currently, these veterans are not eligible for the service medal as their efforts took place after the United States withdrew from Vietnam in January 1973. The proposed legislation, known as the Honoring Operation End Sweep Veterans Act, is inspired by Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, who served during this mission but has not been formally recognized for his contributions.

“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," 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.”

Senator Baldwin echoed these sentiments: “The sailors who spent months sweeping for mines in North Vietnam risked their lives to clean up the legacies of the Vietnam War... Their service and sacrifice deserve to be honored.”

Retired Navy Commander Michael Cosgrove shared his experience: “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."

The Paris Peace Accords signed on January 27, 1973, officially ended direct U.S. involvement in the conflict. Under international law, specifically the Hague Convention of 1907, it was necessary for U.S. forces to remove naval mines they had previously placed.

The Honoring Operation End Sweep Veterans Act would instruct the Department of Defense to award these veterans with the Vietnam Service Medal as recognition for their service.