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International Commision of Control and Supervision
 


 

The International Control Commission (ICC), formally called the International Commission for Supervision and Control in Vietnam (ICSC), was in International Mission established in Indochina (later Vietnam) in 1954 to enforce the Geneva Accors of the same year. This body included personnel from Communist Poland, non-Communist Canada, and neutral India with India supplying the chairman. ICCs with the same composition were set up to supervise the implementation of the Accords in Laos and in Cambodia.

A new body, the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS), was established under the Paris Peace Agreement of 1973. It originally was made up of equal numbers of personnel from two Communist states, Hungary and Poland, and two non-Communist states, Canada and Indonesia. After a few months, Canada was replaced by Iran.

Canada contributed 240 Canadian Forces personnel and 50 officials from the Department of External Affairs to the International Commission of Control and Supervision from Jan to Jul 1973. The ICCS continued to operate until 30 Apr 1975, two years after the Canadians withdrew.
 

Canadians in Vietnam
Article, images and captions courtesy Dana J. Nield.

The Canadian Government became involved in the Vietnam conflict starting in 1954, through the guise of the International Commission for Supervision and Control Service (ICSC) which supervised the cease-fires and withdrawal of French troops and the movement of refugees. Later, in 1973, the International Commission of Control and Supervision was created to oversee the cease fire in South Vietnam as laid out in the terms of the Paris Peace Accords. Members of the ICCS included Canada, Indonesia, Hungary and Poland. Canada supplied 240 members of the Canadian Forces and 50 diplomats to the commission. They arrived in Vietnam on 28 Jan 1973, one day after the Peace accord was signed.

Immediately members of the ICCS were dispatched to 45 locations across the 1000km stretch of territory to supervise the exchange of prisoners and disarmament of combatants. One member of the Canadian contingent, Captain Charles Laviolette of the 12e Regiment blindé du Canada died in a helicopter crash, while two officers of the Royal Canadian Regiment were abducted by the Viet Cong and held captive for 17 days. However, both incidents were later determined to be a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, rather than being actions taken against the ICCS directly. By 31 Jul 1973, the mandate of the ICCS had expired and the Canadians withdrew.

Captain Sam McInns stands outside the Cao-Dai Temple in Tay-Ninh. The ICCS was equipped with vehicles from American stores, including these M151s and M151A2. The colour of these MUTTs has been the subject of much debate on Canadian Military web forums, with some saying they were black, while others thought they were left Olive Drab. Both colours are in fact correct. The two vehicles nearest the camera are black, the rest are OD. The spare wheel cover reads: ICCS BASE. Canadian Contingent Warrant Officer. Credit: DND Photo Unit VNC73-362

 

Canadian members of the ICCS converse with Army of the Republic of Vietnam M48A3 tank crews on Highway 1. Note the device on the commander's cupola which appears to be an ad hoc guard for an infra red device. Vehicle number in black on Yellow band, "32" appears on turret in blue. Credit: DND Photo Unit VNC73-235

Canadian Maj. Richard Davis and Maj. Bill Eastwood (in light short sleeved shirts), along with American, Australian, Polish, Indonesian and Hungarian officers, watch POWs being returned to South Vietnam at an exchange site at Loc Nin. While searching for photos of ICCS vehicles at the Canadian Forces Photo Unit, it was a bit of a shock to find as Bill Eastwood is the father of Paul Eastwood, a close friend of the author. Credit: DND Photo Unit VN73-58

Insignia

  The ICCS (Indochina) Medal was awarded for service on this mission.

  • Terms of Award: The ICCS medal was awarded for 90 days service with the Commission between 28 Jan 1973 and 31 Jul 1973. The 1,160 personnel of the commission were from Canada, Hungary, Indonesia and Poland and their role was to monitor the cease-fire in South Vietnam as per the Paris Peace Conference. The Commission arranged the release and exchange of more than 32,000 prisoners of war.

  • Awards to Canadians: 352 members of the Canadian Forces, 32 to civilians.

 
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