Sen. Hickman honors veterans on the 50th anniversary of the final combat mission of the Vietnam War

Posted: May 21, 2025 | Senator Hickman

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, May 20, Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, honored the service of local veterans in the Vietnam War and other conflicts. Sen. Hickman presented a joint resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the final United States combat mission in Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam War, which was the Mayaguez Incident from May 12-15, 1975.

Veterans from the American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop, as well as Brigadier General Diane Dunn, Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard, and David A. Richmond, Director of the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, were honored in the Senate Chamber.

“It was a blessing to be able to honor these veterans in the Senate Chamber on the 50th anniversary of the final United States combat mission of the Vietnam War,” said Sen. Hickman. “We owe it to this generation of fighters to properly welcome them home each and every day. With this joint resolution, we welcome home those who served our country, those who fought for our freedom, those who were wounded or those who still grieve for their brethren who died in the war. I thank these veterans, and all Maine’s veterans, for their service and sacrifice.”

In May 1975, the Cambodian Khmer Rouge Navy seized the American cargo ship SS Mayaguez and its crew of 39 in international waters. This initiated a rescue mission by the United States Armed Forces to evacuate the crew from Koh Tang Island near the Cambodian coast. Following rescue efforts involving multiple helicopters and more than 200 American troops, the entire crew of the Mayaguez and 129 Marines were evacuated from the island. Total U.S. casualties included 18 dead and 50 wounded. 23 more Air Force personnel died in a support force helicopter crash in Thailand due to a mechanical failure. More information about the Mayaguez Incident can be found here.

Sen. Hickman hosted the following veterans from the American Legion Post 40 in the Senate chamber, listed with their years and branch of service:

  • Charles McGillicuddy, who served in the U.S. Army from 1967-69
  • Robert Dawson, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1962-66
  • Teco Brown, who served in the U.S. Army from 1967-69
  • Scott Ainsworth, who served in the U.S. Army from 1990-96
  • Jack Lynch, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1975-79
  • Doug Thomas, who served in the U.S. Army from 1978-82

Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, stands with veterans from American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop in the Senate Chamber on May 20.

Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, stands with veterans from American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop, Brigadier General Diane Dunn, and David A. Richmond in the Senate Chamber on May 20.

Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, shakes hands with U.S. Army veteran Charles McGillicuddy following the reading of the Joint Resolution in the Maine Senate on May 20.

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