Ford orders Marines to retake the SS Mayaguez, the only invocation of War Powers Resolution Section 4(a)(1)

President Gerald Ford ordered U.S. Marines to retake the SS Mayaguez, a U.S. merchant container ship seized by Cambodian Khmer Rouge forces on May 12, 1975. Ford notified Congress under Section 4(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution — the only presidential report ever to cite that section, formally triggering the 60-day clock. The assault on Koh Tang island cost 41 American lives; the crew of 39 had already been released by Cambodia before the Marines landed.