In December 1972, the United States was engaged in contentious peace talks with North Vietnam in Paris, which had been ongoing for several years amid the protracted Vietnam War. The negotiations reached a stalemate on December 13, leading President Richard Nixon to authorize Operation Linebacker II, an extensive aerial bombardment campaign targeting key military and logistical sites in North Vietnam. The operation was notable for its timing, commencing just days before Christmas, and aimed to coerce the North Vietnamese government into returning to the negotiating table. U.S. forces deployed B-52 bombers, which executed thousands of sorties, dropping heavy ordinance on both urban and rural areas.The operation escalated the conflict dramatically, with the intense bombings causing significant destruction and casualties. The targets included critical infrastructure such as rail yards, supply depots, and anti-aircraft positions in Hanoi and Haiphong. While the bombings succeeded in demonstrating U.S. military might and garnered some short-term tactical advantages, they also intensified anti-war sentiment in the United States and among international observers. The operation lasted for 11 days and ultimately contributed to a shift in North Vietnam's stance during subsequent negotiations. By January 1973, a ceasefire agreement was finally reached, leading to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam. However, the bombings raised questions about U.S. strategy and the moral implications of wartime actions.