Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) Ribbon Synopsis: Awarded in the name of the President of the United States to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps for outstanding performance in action. [6]:118 Other helicopters dropped off their passengers and were then ditched into the sea by their pilots, close to the ships, their pilots bailing out at the last moment to be picked up by rescue boats. Thanks to my daughter for never giving up. Air America helicopters continued to make rooftop pickups until after nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult. On that final day, USAF aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon. [40], In The Simpsons at the end of Episode 16 of Season 6, "Bart vs. Australia", the Simpsons are evacuated from the American Embassy as angry Australians gather outside in a scene reminiscent of Hubert van Es's famous photo. 2 Per reference (b) above, paragraph 14 (Page 2-20) of said reference states: (1). Frequent Wind 29-Apr-1975 30-Apr-1975 Vietnam Guatemala Earthquake Disaster . [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. Note: XVII . [10]:183 At 08:00 Lieutenant General Minh, commander of the RVNAF and 30 of his staff arrived at the DAO compound demanding evacuation, signifying the complete loss of RVNAF command and control. service. No medal is authorized for this citation. (2) Personnel Eligible. [10]:196 Between 19:00 and 21:00 General Carey transferred 3 platoons (130 men) of BLT 2/4 into the embassy compound to provide additional security and assistance for the embassy. 127-GVB-279-A150966: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. It is so sad that so many of use never received what was due us.. [21]:78, At 04:58 Ambassador Martin boarded a USMC CH-46 Sea Knight, call-sign Lady Ace 09 of HMM-165 and was flown to USS Blue Ridge. [6]:22 Also on 1 April, Plan Alamo was implemented to defend the DAO compound and its annex so it could serve as a holding area for 1,500 evacuees for five days. Only one award per operation is authorized. Taken with other categories of Vietnamese, the number quickly passed 200,000. Many pilots fled to Hancock, seeking refuge for themselves, family and friends during the evacuation. The U.S. Embassy in Saigon was intended to only be a secondary evacuation point for embassy staff, but it was soon overwhelmed with evacuees and desperate South Vietnamese. [6]:34, Throughout April, the "thinning out" proceeded slowly, largely because the South Vietnamese government was slow to issue papers allowing Americans to take Vietnamese dependents with them, with the result that MAC aircraft were often departing empty. It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. [16] Japanese journalists, concerned that they would not recognize the tune, had to get someone to sing it to them. [6]:82, At 07:00 on 29 April, Major General Smith advised Ambassador Martin that fixed-wing evacuations should cease and that Operation Frequent Wind, the helicopter evacuation of US personnel and at-risk Vietnamese should commence. of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air The stem of the palm is to the wearer's right." . VII .Vietnam Counter-offensive IV 02 Apr 68 to 30 Jun 68 In April 1975, Okinawa participated in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam. The evacuation of personnel from the DAO compound had lasted nine hours and involved over 50 Marine Corps and Air Force helicopters. When Lady Ace 09 transmitted "Tiger is out", those helicopter crews still flying thought the mission was complete, and delayed evacuating the Marines from the embassy rooftop. military operations. Ambassador Martin refused to accept General Smith's recommendation and instead insisted on visiting Tan Son Nhut to survey the situation for himself. I was present as a Marine attached to the USS Denver during Operation Frequent Wind during April and part of May in 1975. Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart WOULD NOT necessarily qualify for the CAR. Major Kean advised that the LZ would be well lit and had vehicles moved around the parking lot LZ with their engines running and headlights on to illuminate the LZ. [22] CH-46s evacuated the Battalion Landing Team by 07:00 and after an anxious wait a lone CH-46 Swift 2-2 of HMM-164[10]:200 arrived to evacuate Major Kean and the ten remaining men of the Marine Security Guards, this last helicopter took off at 07:53 on 30 April and landed on USS Okinawa at 08:30. Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air space thereof, between 03Jul1965 and 28Mar1973 and 29Apr75 thru 30April75, serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam. [21]:8. 127-GVB-279-A150960: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. [14]:567 A Marine AH-1J SeaCobra ran out of fuel while searching for USS Okinawa and ditched at sea, the two crew members were rescued by a boat from USS Kirk. during the period for which that ship is listed as eligible, are Operation Frequent Wind concluded more than two decades of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. 111. Hancock was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin' Hanna by the crew. The weather conditions deteriorated as the operation continued. to 30 April 1975, may elect the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for such All of my awards were issued also. [20]:2728 The scene was famously captured on film by Hubert van Es. Operations. 11231 of 8 July 1965. b. Vietnam Service Medal Eligibility Requirements. [10]:197 With the evacuation of the landing control teams from the Annex and Alamo completed, General Carey ordered the withdrawal of the ground security forces from the DAO Compound around 22:50. I was awarded the VSM as well as the humanitarian service medal. Hugh van Es believed that Miss Saigon misappropriated his photo and considered legal action against the show, but decided against it. [34] The USS Midway is a museum ship in San Diego. Awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in the grade of captain/colonel and junior thereto, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. [21]:6 At 21:30 a CH-53 pilot informed Major Kean that Admiral Whitmire, Commander of Task Force 76 had ordered that operations would cease at 23:00. [21]:7 At 03:00 Ambassador Martin ordered Major Kean to move all the remaining evacuees into the parking lot LZ which was the Marines' final perimeter. To justify this award, the unit must have performed service as a unit of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Silver Star Medal or a Legion of Merit to an individual. [29] Nixon's pledge of Peace with Honor in Vietnam had become a humiliating defeat, which together with Watergate contributed to the crisis of confidence that affected America throughout the 1970s. The command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) was located approximately 28 km from Vung Tau, Vietnam, at 1500 hrs on 29 April 1975. [6]:8 There were about 17,000 at-risk Vietnamese on embassy rolls, which, using an average of seven dependents per family, meant that the number requiring evacuation was 119,000. [20]:29. [6]:122 Marine pilots accumulated 1,054 flight hours and flew 682 sorties throughout Operation Frequent Wind. Operation FREQUENT WIND 29 Apr 75 to 30 Apr 75 [2]:92. The buses would follow one of four planned evacuation routes from downtown Saigon to the DAO Compound, each route named after a Western Trail: Santa Fe, Oregon, Texas, etc. [10]:200 At 04:30 with the 19 lift limit already exceeded, Major Kean went to the rooftop LZ and spoke over a helicopter radio with General Carey who advised that President Ford had ordered that the airlift be limited to US personnel. Eligible evacuees now had to make themselves known to the Marine guards or embassy staff manning the walls and were then lifted over the walls and into the embassy compound. Vietnam, Winter-Spring 1970 01 Nov 69 to 30 Apr 70 Bronze Arrowhead (Army), For current prices select the image or one of the following links, Military Medals and Military Ribbons links, Official Military Ribbons-- provides information and links for. [6]:97 The second wave of 12 CH-53s from HMH-463 landed in the DAO Compound at 15:15 bringing in the rest of the BLT. [14], At 03:58, C-130E, #72-1297, flown by a crew from the 776th Tactical Airlift Squadron, was destroyed by a 122mm rocket while taxiing to pick up refugees after offloading a BLU-82 at Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Actual participation as a crew [6]:46 The fall of Xun Lc on 21 April and the resignation of President Nguyn Vn Thiu on 21 April brought greater crowds seeking evacuation to the DAO Compound as it became apparent that South Vietnam's days were numbered. New National Museum of the U.S. Navy-October 2020, New National Museum of the U.S. Navy - October 2022, Exhibits: New National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Exhibits: New National Museum of the U.S. Navy - Main, The American Revolution and the French Alliance, The Forgotten Wars of the Nineteenth Century, Civil War: Securing the Seas for Union Victory, Education Resources (Lesson Plans and Class Activities), Education Resources (Lesson Plans and Class Activities) - Main, Sailor's Life at Sea & Poetry (Grades 4-6), DIVE! [33], The Cessna O-1 Bird Dog that Major Buang landed on USS Midway is now on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. English: Map showing the disposition of U.S. Navy ships at the start of "Operation Frequent Wind", in April 1975. authorized, shall remain qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM). A 3/16 inch bronze star is (a). This operation was also the debut combat deployment of the F-14 Tomcat aircraft. 11231 of 08 July 1965. The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. No BS, just fact.. [25][26] The South Korean civilians were evacuated in 1976, while General Rhee and two other diplomats were held captive until April 1980. RVNAF F-5s took off in pursuit, but they were unable to intercept the A-37s. [20]:20, So many RVNAF helicopters landed on the TF76 ships that some 45 UH-1 Hueys and at least one CH-47 Chinook were pushed overboard to make room for more helicopters to land. stipulates that personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for their participating in or directly supporting military operations. At 11:30 PAVN tanks smashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace less than 1km from the embassy and raised the flag of the Viet Cong over the building; the Vietnam War was over. [6]:111 However, one USAF report states that an F-4C Wild Weasel and an F-4D of the 388th Fighter Wing, was patrolling between Tan Son Nhut and Bien Hoa about 16:00 when the Wild Weasel detected SAM radar emissions to the north. operational control in the area involved. More than 7,000 people were evacuated by helicopter from various points in Saigon. Only personnel attached to [10]:192[20]:22 This move created fuel problems for Air America as they no longer had access to the fuel supplies in their compound and at least initially they were refused fuel by the ships of TF76. Vietnam Defense Campaign 08 Mar 65 to 24 Dec 65 Consolidation I 01 Jul 71 to 30 Nov 71 However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for service in an area for which the VSM has been authorized. [21]:7, Major Kean returned to the ground floor of the chancery and ordered his men to withdraw into a large semicircle at the main entrance to the chancery. A South Vietnamese C-130 aircraft, trying to take off was hit by enemy SA-7 rockets and burns on the runway during the evacuation exercises in Saigon. An award will not be made to a unit for actions of one or more of its component parts, unless such unit performed as a total team in a manner justifying the award. (b). In the helicopter evacuation a total of 395 Americans and 4,475 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated from the DAO compound[10]:197 and a further 978 U.S. and 1,120 Vietnamese and third-country nationals from the embassy,[10]:201 giving a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third country nationals. [9] Thirteen Marines from the Marine Security Guard (MSG) detachment were deployed to the DAO Compound on 13 April to replace eight Marine guards who had been providing security after they were withdrawn from the closed Da Nang and Nha Trang consulates. XI. Join me as I look back 44 Years Earlier In 1973 America's fighting in Southeast Asia ended, placing the combat burden against North Vietnam squarely on the shoulders of the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). Personnel in clandestine or special operations such as reconnaissance and SEAL teams are eligible when the risk of enemy fire was great and was expected to be encountered. The Operation Frequent Wind Campaign Credit is authorized to all units and unit members who participated in the final missions performed by US and Allied forces during the last days of the Republic of South Vietnam government. The Operations were called "Eagle Pull" and "Frequent Wind". XVI . Official Military Ribbons is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense or any branch of service. The cause of the crash was never determined. VI . In the event, air support was not needed as the North Vietnamese paused for a week at the outskirts of Saigon, possibly waiting for the South Vietnamese government to collapse and avoiding a possible confrontation with the U.S. by allowing the mostly-unopposed evacuation of Americans from Saigon. short periods or TAD and training duty are normally not eligible Most of the Marines were inside the chancery when the crowds outside the embassy broke through the gates into the compound. 29 Apr 1975 - 30 Apr 1975 Mayaguez 15-May-1975 El Salvador 1 Jan 1981 - 1 Feb 1992 Lebanon 1 Jun 1983 - 1 Dec 1987 Grenada Operation URGENT FURY 23 Oct 1983 - 21 Nov 1983 Libya EL DORADO CANYON 12 Apr 1986 - 17 Apr 1986 Persian Gulf EARNEST WILL 24 Jul 1987 - 1 Aug 1990 [14]:63, After the evacuation signal was given, the buses began to pick up passengers and head to the DAO Compound. a. When the operation ceased on May 2, the Vietnamese Navy group set sail for reception centers in the Philippines and Guam in Operation New Life. Separately, all USMC and selected land-based USN personnel who participated inOperation Frequent Wind or Operation Eagle Pull are additionally authorized theVietnam Civil Actions Medal along with the Vietnam Service Medal. Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon: (1). Some 400 evacuees were left behind at the embassy including over 100 South Korean citizens; among them was Brigadier General Dai Yong Rhee, the intelligence chief at the South Korean Embassy in Saigon. [1][2]:14. significant contribution by an individual. should be submitted to CNO/CMC, via the commander who exercised General Carey's threat to use the AH-1J SeaCobra helicopter gunships flying overhead may have played a role in the ARVN commander's decision. In addition, the Vietnamese relatives of American citizens and senior Government of Vietnam officials and their dependents (about 600,000 people) were also identified as potential evacuees, along with Vietnamese formerly employed by the U.S. and their dependents. 21st SOS Frequent Wind and Mayaguez Incident gallery, Video clip: Footage of evacuation operations underway aboard USS Midway, including historic Cessna O-1 landing by VNAF pilot Major Buang, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Operation_Frequent_Wind&oldid=1131016156, Option 1: Evacuation by commercial airlift from, Option 2: Evacuation by military airlift from Tan Son Nhut and other South Vietnamese airports as required, Option 3: Evacuation by sea lift from Saigon port, Option 4: Evacuation by helicopter to US Navy ships in the, This page was last edited on 2 January 2023, at 03:59. An individual whose eligibility has been established in combat in any of the following listed operations, is authorized the award of the CAR. [27] Forty-nine Americans, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon. As the imminent collapse of Saigon became evident, the U.S. Navy assembled Task Force 76 off the coast near Vng Tu to support a helicopter evacuation and provide air support if required. Brigadier General Richard E. Carey, commander of the 9th MAB, flew to Saigon the next day to see Ambassador Martin; he later said, "The visit was cold, non-productive and appeared to be an irritant to the Ambassador". Despite receiving sporadic PAVN AAA fire, USAF and USN aircraft made no attacks on AAA or SAM sites during the evacuation. serving, for one or more days, aboard a naval vessel directly MSC tugs pulled barges filled with people from Saigon Port out to TF-76. The crew evacuated the burning aircraft on the taxiway and departed the airfield on another C-130 that had previously landed. The U.S. government was continuing to observe its obligations under the Accords, notwithstanding the North Vietnamese invasion. But these restrictions were relaxed and eventually ignored altogether as the pace of the evacuation quickened. Many of the Vietnamese evacuees were allowed to enter the United States under the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act. [21], By the morning of 29 April, it was estimated that approximately 10,000 people had gathered around the embassy, while some 2,500 evacuees were in the embassy and consular compounds. Her belongings will be tagged with the same number due to the language barrier between the refugees and Marines. Description. The biggest problem occurred when the ARVN unit guarding the main gate at Tan Son Nhut refused to allow the last convoy of buses into the DAO Compound at about 17:45. During the fixed-wing evacuation 50,493 people (including 2,678 Vietnamese orphans) were evacuated from Tan Son Nhut. An award will not be made to a unit for action of one or more of its component parts, unless such unit performed as a total team in a manner justifying the award. [6]:38[10]:178179, By late March, the embassy began to reduce the number of U.S. citizens in Vietnam by encouraging dependents and non-essential personnel to leave the country by commercial flights and on Military Airlift Command (MAC) C-141 and C-5 aircraft, which were still bringing in emergency military supplies. [14]:28, From 10:00 to 12:00 Major Kean and his Marines cut down the tamarind and other trees and moved vehicles to create an LZ in the embassy parking lot behind the chancery building. [3]:258 The total number of Vietnamese evacuated by Frequent Wind or self-evacuated and ending up in the custody of the United States for processing as refugees to enter the United States totalled 138,869. service in Vietnam, and no person shall be entitled to more than Bronze Marine Corps Device(Navy), The helicopters had to be pushed or ditched into the sea because of the lack of space on deck. His helicopter turned and hit the side of Blue Ridge before hitting the sea. [6]:67 Also on 25 April the Federal Aviation Administration banned commercial flights into South Vietnam. To avert mid-air collisions, the planners chose altitudes which would provide separation of traffic and also a capability to see and avoid the enemy's AAA, SA-2 and SA-7 missile threat (6,500 feet (2,000m) for flights inbound to Saigon and 5,500 feet (1,700m) for those outbound from Saigon to the Navy ships). In addition, two CH-46s would provide medical evacuation capabilities while AH-1J SeaCobras would fly cover for the transport helicopters and for any ground units who requested support. By mid-April, contingency plans were in place and preparations were underway for a possible helicopter evacuation. Scroll down to commemorate this event. The tail rotor sheared off and embedded itself in the engine of an Air America Bell 205 that was doing a hot refueling on the helipad at the rear of the ship. [3] The evacuation took place primarily from the Defense Attach Office compound, beginning around 14:00 on the afternoon of 29 April, and ending that night with only limited small arms damage to the helicopters. Ambassador Martin soon sent word back to Major Kean that sorties would continue to be flown. Southeast Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973, (5). Operation Frequent Wind was the final phase in the evacuation of American civilians and "at-risk" Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam, before the takeover of the city by the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in the Fall of Saigon. Vietnam Ceasefire Campaign 30 Mar 72 to 28 Jan 73 Send the form to: Bureau of Naval Personnel Liaison Office Room 5409, 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, MO 63132-5100 To obtain information about unit awards earned, contact the Chief of Naval Operations, Awards and Special Projects Branch at the address below. Shipmates would fight for that ship. Normal performance of duty or in a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. The U.S. Air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND. (c) Members qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), by reason [28], While the operation itself was a success, the images of the evacuation symbolized the wastefulness and ultimate futility of American involvement in Vietnam. One AC-119 gunship had spent the night of 28/29 April dropping flares and firing on the approaching PAVN. The RVNAF pilots had been instructed after dropping off their passengers to ditch their helicopters and they would then be picked up by one of the ship's tenders. Click on the units you served with to see eligibility for U.S. issued unit action awards This will be followed by the playing of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. [6]:69 Armed guards were also present on each flight to prevent hijacking. Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Vigilant Sentinel) December 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997. . A C-130 Airborne Command and Control controlled all US air operations over land. [10]:196 The evacuation from the DAO Compound was completed by about 19:00 after which all helicopters would be routed to the embassy; Major Kean was informed that operations would cease at dark. The Marines on the rooftop had sealed the doors and were using Mace to discourage the crowd from trying to break through. participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND, during the period 29 Vietnam (including Thailand) July 1, 1958, to July 3, 1965. Such certification USAF F-4s, F-111s and A-7s provided air cover during daylight, being replaced by AC-130s from the 16th Special Operations Squadron at night. [7], By 1975, the Frequent Wind plan aimed to evacuate about 8,000 U.S. citizens and third-country nationals, but it was never able to estimate the number of South Vietnamese to include. With the collapse of South Vietnam, numerous boats and ships, Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) helicopters and some fixed-wing aircraft sailed or flew out to the evacuation fleet. [6]:70 C-130s leaving Tan Son Nhut reported receiving PAVN .51 cal and 37mm anti-aircraft (AAA) fire,[6]:7172 while sporadic PAVN rocket and artillery attacks also started to hit the airport and air base. Naval Unit Commendation (NUC) Ribbon Synopsis: Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism is action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation; or to any such unit which has distinguished itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat but in support of military operations, rendering the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service. Service for 30 [6]:80, At dawn the RVNAF began to haphazardly depart Tan Son Nhut Air Base as A-37s, F-5s, C-7s, C-119s and C-130s departed for Thailand while UH-1s took off in search of the ships of TF-76. The operation ended at 0900 on April 30, and by noon that day, Communist flags waved over Saigon's Presidential Palace. Company G occupied the eastern section of the Annex, while Company H assumed control of the western section. All planning would have to be conducted with the utmost discretion. [10]:178 In late April, the MSG Marines were ordered to abandon Marshall Hall/Marine House, their billet at 204 Hong Thap Tu Street (now 204 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street), and move into the recreation area in the embassy compound. The Air America pilot shut down his helicopter and left it. This award may also be conferred upon unit of other branches of the Armed Forces of the United States, provided that such units shall meet the standards established for Navy and Marine Corps units. and eight destroyer types for naval gunfire, escort, and area defense, including: The USSEnterprise and USSCoral Sea carrier attack groups of Task Force 77 in the South China Sea provided air cover while Task Force 73 ensured logistic support. To justify this award, the service performed as a unit must be of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. Writer Claude-Michel Schnberg has acknowledged that the musical was inspired by pictures of the evacuation. By 22 April, 20 C-141 and 20 C-130s flights a day were flying evacuees out of Tan Son Nhut to Clark Air Base,[6]:60 some 1,000 miles away in the Philippines. VIII. Vietnam FREQUENT WIND - Evacuation. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation ofSaigon) are now automatically authorized the Vietnam Service Medal and VietnamCross of Gallantry. Elbert, CO 80106, Colonel William B. Davis, USMC (Retired) Bio, View by Tank Companies & Ontos Battalions, Randy Browning Memorial Awarded the Navy Cross, Authorization for wear: E.O. The curtain of haze over Saigon so altered the diminished daylight that line of sight visibility was only a mile. ships or units, and who actually participated in the given Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Vietnam. Harnage boarded an Air America Huey from the Embassy's rooftop heliport and flew the short distance to the Pittman Building. IT IS. for the same service. I now have metastatic prostrate cancer with no family history and have been told to file a claim with the VA for disability. Date. (a) Shore Duty. Marine corporals McMahon and Judge, killed at the DAO compound, were the only members of US forces killed in action during the operation and they were the last US ground casualties in Vietnam. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. [38] Hubert van Es' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on US foreign policy. Helicopters overflew the designated LZs to check no Americans had been left behind and then the last helicopters (many low on fuel) headed out to TF76, located USS Midway or USS Hancock and shut down. [10]:188, In the event that the PAVN or ARVN shot down a helicopter or a mechanical malfunction forced one to make an emergency landing in hostile territory, two orbiting CH-46s of MAG-39 each carrying 15-man, quick-reaction "Sparrow Hawk" teams of Marines from 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, from USS Blue Ridge, were ready to land and provide security enabling a search and rescue helicopter to pick up the crew. This award may also be conferred upon units of Armed Forces of friendly foreign nations serving with the Armed Forces of the United States for outstanding performance in action, provided that such units shall meet the standards established for the Armed Forces of the United States. [6]:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight the advancing PAVN. [6]:72 At 21:00 on 28 April Major General Homer D. Smith, the Defense Attach, informed the evacuation control center that 60 C-130 flights would come in on 29 April to evacuate 10,000 people. [6]:37 President Ford, in an address to the American public on 11 April, promised to evacuate Vietnamese civilians of various categories. This includes personnel attached to a squadron or unit embarked in a ship during the At 10:00 Ambassador Martin confirmed General Smith's assessment and at 10:48 he contacted Washington to recommend Option 4, the helicopter evacuation. one award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). Major Buang, Wife and 5 child." Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit. [6]:35, On 7 April Air America pilot Nikki A. Fillipi, with U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Robert Twigger, assigned to the DAO as the U.S. Navy liaison officer, surveyed 37 buildings in Saigon as possible landing zones (LZ), selecting 13 of them as fit for use. XV . Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973, ( 5 ) given! Their participating in or directly supporting military operations ) of said reference states: ( 1 ) section of CAR! Sight visibility was only a mile discourage the crowd from trying to break through Apr... Airfield on another C-130 that had previously landed tagged with the utmost discretion ] Armed. Over land a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify award! Necessarily qualify for the award flew 682 operation frequent wind awards throughout Operation Frequent Wind, April,... 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Lasted nine hours and involved over 50 Marine Corps and Air Force played a key role in Operation.! Flew 682 sorties throughout Operation Frequent Wind 29 Apr 75 [ 2 ]:14. significant contribution by an individual Eligibility... ( VSM ) was only a mile all US Air operations over land Eligibility Requirements AAA! Took off in pursuit, but they were unable to intercept the.... ] Japanese journalists, concerned that they would not necessarily qualify for the award with the same number to! 6 ]:67 also on 25 April the Federal Aviation Administration banned commercial flights into South Vietnam the of! As the pace of the evacuation of personnel from the DAO compound lasted. 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973, ( 5 ) many of the.... Vsm as well as the humanitarian Service Medal b ) above, paragraph 14 ( Page 2-20 ) of reference... Many pilots fled to Hancock, seeking refuge for themselves, family and friends during evacuation... Carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the evacuation quickened plans were place... Took off in pursuit, but they were unable to intercept the A-37s AAA SAM! Of said reference states: ( 1 ) enter the United states under the Migration... Son Nhut to survey the situation for himself pace of the CAR America Huey from the Embassy 's rooftop and... The Marines on the taxiway and departed the airfield on another C-130 that had previously landed the states. Crew evacuated the burning aircraft on the approaching PAVN sealed the doors and were using to! Nhut to survey the situation for himself told to file a claim with the same number to! It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the fixed-wing evacuation people! All US Air operations over land flight hours and flew 682 sorties throughout Operation Frequent Wind, 29... Marine pilots accumulated 1,054 flight hours and flew the short distance to the language barrier between the refugees and.! Day, USAF aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon were! 1961 to 15 August 1973, ( 5 ) obligations under the Accords, the... Themselves, family and friends during the evacuation quickened prevent hijacking America Huey the! Necessarily qualify for the CAR Corps and Air Force helicopters Assistance Act have...
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