Honoring Operation End Sweep Veterans After 40 Years of Persistence
Guest Contributor
For decades, Navy veteran Michael Cosgrove has quietly carried the weight of a mission that few remember but many served. Known as Operation End Sweep, this post-Vietnam War effort involved thousands of service members, including Cosgrove, who risked their lives clearing mines from Haiphong Harbor in 1973. Despite the danger and dedication involved, those who participated were never granted formal recognition through the Vietnam Service Medal. Now, after over 40 years of persistence, that may finally change.
Efforts to honor these veterans have recently gained traction in Washington. Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Tony Weid have introduced a bill that would award the long-overdue Vietnam Service Medal to those who took part in Operation End Sweep. This legislative milestone is the result of years of advocacy, much of it led by Cosgrove himself. His story, as reported by NBC 26, is one of patience, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice for fellow veterans.
Cosgrove’s journey began in the early 1980s, when he first reached out to a senator in Texas. The response he received was dismissive. “In the early '80s, I basically got a condescending note back saying, 'Thank you, but forget it,’” he recalled. Undeterred, he continued to push for recognition, even as the years turned into decades. His determination is a testament to the enduring bond between service members and their shared experiences.
Operation End Sweep was far from a routine assignment. For six months in 1973, Navy personnel were tasked with removing mines left in the waters of Haiphong Harbor after the Vietnam War. According to Cosgrove, some of those mines did, in fact, detonate during the operation. The danger was real, and the mission was critical to ensuring safe passage in the region. Yet, despite their service, those involved were excluded from receiving the Vietnam Service Medal, which has long been a symbol of recognition for those who served in the conflict.
Today, Cosgrove volunteers at the Door County Maritime Museum, sharing stories of naval history with visitors. His role as a guide is not just educational—it’s deeply personal. Fellow Navy veteran and museum president Kevin Osgood noted that Cosgrove’s perseverance is no surprise. “This change at the federal level will help all those veterans who were with Michael, who were part of Operation End Sweep,” Osgood said.
The recent progress on Capitol Hill stems from renewed outreach. About a year ago, Cosgrove contacted the Armed Forces Subcommittee. It wasn’t until recently, however, that someone from Senator Baldwin’s office responded. That call marked a turning point. “Then last week I got a phone call from him saying that Tammy had proposed this bill and she was working with Tony. And I said, ‘Oh golly something’s actually happening,’” Cosgrove shared.
This development is significant not only for Cosgrove but for the countless others who served during the operation. Many of these veterans have gone unrecognized for decades, their service quietly tucked away in the margins of military history. The proposed legislation represents a step toward correcting that oversight and honoring the risks they took in the wake of war.
What stands out most in this story is the quiet persistence behind it. Cosgrove didn’t seek fame or accolades. He sought fairness—for himself and for the many others who served alongside him. His efforts serve as a reminder that recognition matters, especially for those whose contributions have long gone unnoticed.
As the bill continues through the legislative process, Cosgrove hopes to reach other veterans who may still be unaware of the renewed push for recognition. His message is clear: they deserve to be honored. I found this detail striking—how one person’s steady voice over four decades can finally begin to shift the tide.
Whether or not the bill becomes law, the attention now being given to Operation End Sweep is a victory in itself. It highlights a chapter of military history that had nearly faded from public memory and restores dignity to those who risked their lives in its service. The story of Michael Cosgrove and his fellow veterans is a powerful example of how long-overdue recognition can begin with a single letter—and endure through years of silence until justice is finally within reach.
