![]() The most likely explanation is that President Kennedy simply did not want to fight a war in Laos. However, the proposed intervention never materialized. Secretary of State Dean Rusk opted for 10,000 troops in an enclave around Vientiane. troops would be committed remained sketchy - planners favored numbers anywhere from 60,000 to 140,000 men, though U.S. Marine battalion was readied to land in Thailand. ![]() Seventh Fleet sent additional carriers to the South China Sea,while a U.S. To counter the communist threat, the Pentagon developed OPLAN X-61, a plan for U.S.troops to enter Laos, as well as a SEATO version,Field Forces Plan 5-61. However proposals that combat troops be sent into Laos were rejected: Throughout this period, the Navy took other steps to reaffirm the U.S. ![]() naval power and allied military solidarity. Exercise Pony Express, conducted on the northern coast of Borneo by 60 ships and 26,000 personnel from SEATO member states between late April and early May 1961, prominently displayed U.S. The contending Laotian factions concluded a cease-fire on, but it lasted only a year.įleet training exercises also served to highlight American strength and purpose in Southeast Asia. Kennedy already had decided against American intervention to rescue the Laotian government, Communist forces halted their advance and agreed to negotiations. Although the administration of President John F. At the same time, shorebased air patrol squadrons and another three Marine battalion landing teams stood ready in Okinawa and the Philippines to support the afloat force. The force consisted of Coral Sea (CVA 43) and Midway (CVA 41) carrier battle groups, antisubmarine support carrier Kearsarge (CVS 33), one helicopter carrier, three groups of amphibious ships, two submarines, and three Marine battalion landing teams. By the end of April most of the Seventh fleet was deployed off the Indochinese Peninsula preparing to initiate operations into Laos.
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