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 [3]:86, The two major evacuation points chosen for Operation Frequent Wind were the DAO Compound next to Tan Son Nhut Airport for American and Vietnamese civilian evacuees, and the U.S. Embassy, Saigon for embassy staff. XII. [10]:197, 9th MAB intelligence photo of the DAO Compound with LZs marked, 9th MAB post-operation map of the DAO Compound and Air America Compound with LZs marked, A Marine provides security as helicopters land at the DAO Compound, Vietnamese evacuees board a CH-53 at LZ 39, Aerial reconnaissance photos of the destroyed DAO Headquarters building with Air America Compound in the foreground, On 25 April, 40 Marines from the 9th MAB on USS Hancock were flown in by Air America helicopters in civilian clothes to the DAO compound to augment the 18 Marine Security Guards assigned to defend the embassy; an additional six Marines were assigned to protect Ambassador Martin. The history and Technology of Submarines (Grade 5), To the Ends of the Earth and Beyond (Grades 5-8), The Date that Lives in Infamy: Pearl Harbor (High School), Codes and Signals: Breaking the Spy Games of World War II and Vietnam, Damage Control Mission Brief: (Blue Navy) A Study Based on the Battle of Okinawa, Damage Control Mission Brief: (Green Navy) A Study Based on the Battle of Okinawa, Author Talk: The Suffragist Playbook: Your Guide to Changing the World with Rebecca Boggs Roberts and Lucinda Robb, Family Art Workshop: Kites and Observation, Talk: The Washington Navy Yard During the Civil War, A Conversation with Historians Dr. Regina Akers and Dr. Eddie Valentin: From Benjamin Drummond to Doris Miller: Race, Identity, and the Struggle Against Discrimination in the U.S. Navy, Virtual Book Talk: When Giants Ruled the Sky: the Brief Reign and Tragic Demise of the American Rigid Airship, with John J. Geoghegan and Curator, Gordon Calhoun, April 29, 1975 Operation Frequent Wind, April 18, 1906 -- San Francisco, California, December 16, 1922 Rescue of Vinh-Long Passengers, September 6, 1930 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, December 1948-January 1949-Beirut, Lebanon and Port Said, Egypt, 1954-1955 Vietnam (Operation Passage to Freedom), October 13, 1954 -- Haiti (Hurricane Hazel), February 7, 1955: Evacuation of Chinese from Tachen Islands, October 1955: Tampico, Mexico (Hurricane Janet), October 1959 Nagoya, Japan (Typhoon Vera), November 3, 1961 - Belize, British Honduras (Hurricane Hattie), August 1969 Mississippi (Hurricane Camille), October-December 1973 Colombia and Haiti, February 1975 Mauritius (Cyclone Gervaise), 1980-1989 Rescue of Vietnamese Refugees, September 21, 1981 Rescue of Datu Kalantiaw, January 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger, April-August 1989 - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, September-October 1989 Charleston, South Carolina, January 1990 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 5, 1990 Liberia (Operation Sharp Edge), 1991-1996 - Iraq (Operation Provide Comfort), 1992-1993 Somalia (Operation Restore Hope), 1992-1996 Yugoslavia (Operation Provide Promise), March 1997 - Albania (Operation Silver Wake), January-March 1998 Kenya (Operation Nobel Response). [30], For an operation of the size and complexity of Frequent Wind, casualties were relatively light. [20]:21 At some point during the morning RVNAF personnel took five ICCS UH-1H Hueys and one Air America Bell 204 from the Air America ramp. [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. Upon application, any such member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service. [21]:6 At the same time, General Carey met Admiral Whitmire to convince him to resume flights to the embassy despite pilot fatigue and poor visibility caused by darkness, fires and bad weather. short periods or TAD and training duty are normally not eligible Companies E and F respectively occupied the northern and southern sections between the DAO headquarters and the DAO Annex. (Authorization of the CAR must be approved either by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches. They were evacuated to Bangkok on 1 August 1976. [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. [10]:198, By 02:15 on 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the embassy every 10 minutes. The airlift resulted in a number of enduring images. [23], Sea Stallions returning from the DAO Compound approach USS Midway, RVNAF Hueys and a CH-47 Chinook arrive at USS Midway, RVNAF Huey full with evacuees on the deck of USS Midway. List of Authorized Campaign Stars. [6]:37 President Ford, in an address to the American public on 11 April, promised to evacuate Vietnamese civilians of various categories. 11. 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. Consolidation I 01 Jul 71 to 30 Nov 71 [6]:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight the advancing PAVN. [4], Although American officials at the highest levels of the intelligence community (e.g., CIA Director William Colby) were certain that the South Vietnamese government would collapse, everyone in the U.S. government underestimated the speed of the North Vietnamese advance during the 1975 Spring Offensive and how quickly the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) would collapse. [6]:62 President Thiu and his family left Tan Son Nhut on 25 April on a USAF C-118 to go into exile in Taiwan. Normal performance of duty or in a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. [10]:201 CH-46F Swift 1-4 of HMM-164 from USS Hancock flown by Captain William C. Nystul[31] and First Lieutenant Michael J. Shea[32] crashed into the sea on its approach to the ship after having flown a night sea and air rescue mission. On 28 April, Tan Son Nhut Air Base (next to the airport) came under artillery fire and attack from Vietnamese People's Air Force aircraft. this group is here to have members share their personal experiences with the evacuations of Phnom Penh and Saigon, and the SS Mayaquez recovery, events leading up to and after those operations. for the same service. [9] Workers from Pacific Architects and Engineers visited each of the 13 LZs to remove obstructions and paint H's the size of a UH-1 Huey helicopter's skids. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. 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. [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. [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. The performance of duty in carrying out a mission under the ordinary hazards of war, or participation in extended periods of combat duty, or in a large number of combat missions does not itself justify the award, which is designated to recognize specific acts of heroism on the part of the unit acting as a team. Vietnam Counter-offensive 25 Dec 65 to 30 Jun 66 Midway's commanding officer, Captain L.C. Operation FREQUENT WIND - 29 April - 30 April 1975. MARINES THAT WERE AWARDED THE ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL FOR PARTICIPATING IN OPERATION FREQUENT WIND FROM 29-30 APRIL 1975 ARE NOW ENTITLED TO EXCHANGE IT FOR THE VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL PER SECTION 542 IN PUBLIC LAW 107-314. [10]:196 The plan for the evacuation included stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon. [6]:44 Finally, on 19 April, a simple procedure was implemented that cleared up the paperwork jam and the number of evacuees dramatically increased. Aircraft flying air cover for the evacuation reported being tracked with surface to air radar in the vicinity of Bin Ha Air Base (which had fallen to the PAVN on 25 April), but there were no missile launches. service. Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon: (1). [8], On 1 April an evacuation control center manned by U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) personnel began operating at the Defense Attach Office (DAO) compound on 12-hour shifts, increasing to 24-hour shifts the next day. Homer asks the helicopter pilot if they are being taken to an aircraft carrier and is told that "the closest vessel is the USS Walter Mondale. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Sanctuary Counter-offensive 01 May 70 to 30 Jun 70 Op's Frequent Wind & Eagle Pull Humanitarian Service Medal Ensure that your VA disability claim file denotes these awards. 1st Anti-Tank Bn, 1st Mar Div, 27Mar66 to 20Sep69, 3rd Anti-Tank Bn, 3rd Mar Div, 12Jul65 to 20Sep69, For the Period of 08 February 1962 to 28 March 1973, Headquarters, US Military Assistance Command, Vietnam AND SUBORDINATE COMMANDS IN DIRECT SUPPORT are eligible to participate in the award only during the period actually served ashore in the Republic of Vietnam, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation, Civil Action, 1st Class with Palm and Frame. Company G occupied the eastern section of the Annex, while Company H assumed control of the western section. eligible for the award. [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. IV. Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969 09 Jun 69 to 31 Oct 69 Service for 30 They were the last American ground casualties in Vietnam. Squadrons or units embarked in a ship, [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. Southeast Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973 (5). [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. 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. 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. Vietnam Counter-offensive V 01 Jul 68 to 01 Nov 68 Only personnel attached to 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. Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible. The Marines closed and bolted the chancery door, the elevators were locked by Seabees on the sixth floor and the Marines withdrew up the stairwells locking grill gates behind them. [39], The second act of the stage musical Miss Saigon depicts events leading up to, and during Operation Frequent Wind, with the main protagonists (Chris and Kim) becoming separated as a result of the evacuation. for the award; however, consideration will be given in those Chambers ordered the flight deck crew to clear the landing area; in the process an estimated US$10 million worth of UH-1 Huey helicopters were pushed overboard into the South China Sea. The weather conditions deteriorated as the operation continued. April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation Frequent Wind, one of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval history. She began her deployment heading West and . [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. Shipmates would fight for that ship. When U.S. President Gerald Ford met with the National Security Council on 9 April 1975 he was told by Henry Kissinger that a maximum of 1.7 million people had been identified as possible evacuees and that these included: American citizens and their relatives, the diplomatic corps, the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS), third-country nationals under contract by the U.S. government and the employees of the U.S. and their dependents (estimated at about 200,000 people). The operation ended at 0900 on April 30, and by noon that day, Communist flags waved over Saigon's Presidential Palace. Air America helicopters continued to make rooftop pickups until after nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult. By mid-April, contingency plans were in place and preparations were underway for a possible helicopter evacuation. On the afternoon of 30 April, TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking up more refugees as they went. Tet Counter-offensive 30 Jan 68 to 01 Apr 68 [20]:30, At 14:06 two UH-1E Huey helicopters carrying General Carey and Colonel Alfred M. Gray Jr. (commander of Regimental Landing Team 4 (RLT4)) landed at the DAO Compound. a. [20] Air America helicopters started flying to the rooftop LZs in Saigon and either shuttled the evacuees back to the DAO Compound or flew out to the ships of TF76. Strategic Air Command KC-135 tankers provided air-to-air refueling. A 3/16 inch bronze star is Shown: A Vietnamese woman, carrying her son, is given a numbered tag as she arrives onboard USS Hancock (CV-19). [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. Vietnam Counter-offensive I1 01 Jul 66 to 31 May 67 Date. Operation Frequent Wind ship disposition 1975 - Recreated map.svg. Martin told them that he would not tolerate any outward signs that the United States intended to abandon South Vietnam. Attached to or regularly [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. 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. (e). [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. Ships and units At 10:00 Ambassador Martin confirmed General Smith's assessment and at 10:48 he contacted Washington to recommend Option 4, the helicopter evacuation. Vietnam Defense Campaign 08 Mar 65 to 24 Dec 65 [6]:99 The Hanoi leadership, reckoning that completion of the evacuation would lessen the risk of American intervention, had apparently instructed General Dng not to target the airlift itself. As they approached the helicopters had taken rifle and M-79 grenade fire from ARVN troops but without causing any apparent damage. [6]:8587, In preparation for the evacuation, the American Embassy had distributed a 15-page booklet called SAFE, short for "Standard Instruction and Advice to Civilians in an Emergency." [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. [10]:188, As part of the evacuation plan agreed with the DAO, Air America committed 24 of its 28 available helicopters to support the evacuation and 31 pilots agreed to stay in Saigon to support the evacuation; this meant that most helicopters would have only one pilot rather than the usual two. 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). The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance. Refugees arrive aboard USS Midway.29 April 1975. bdpopeye Mi Field Marshall MI.Net Member TAARB Joined Jul 12, 2006 [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. This office can identify awards earned by Navy units. [16] Japanese journalists, concerned that they would not recognize the tune, had to get someone to sing it to them. X. Tet 69 Counter-offensive 23 Feb 69 to 08 Jun 69 [6]:91 During their approach to the compound, Carey and Gray got a firsthand view of the PAVN's firepower as they shelled nearby Tan Son Nhut Airport with ground, rocket, and artillery fire. OPERATION FREQUENT WIND, 29-30 APRIL 1975, WILL BE REFLECTED AS THE 18TH CAMPAIGN UNDER THE VIETNAM CAMPAIGN. All Air America flights had ceased by 21:00. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files. [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. Ambassador Martin soon sent word back to Major Kean that sorties would continue to be flown. V. Vietnam Counter-offensive I11 01 Jun 67 to 29 Jan 68 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. A South Vietnamese pilot lands his Huey helicopter on the deck of USS Hancock (CV-19). [10]:187, The air wings of USS Enterprise and USS Coral Sea, were ready to provide close air support and anti-aircraft suppression if required with their A-6 and A-7 attack aircraft, and would provide continuous fighter cover the evacuation route including by VF-1 and VF-2, flying from Enterprise with the first combat deployment of the new F-14A Tomcat. More than 7,000 people were evacuated by helicopter from various points in Saigon. area for which the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) was subsequently of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air 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 two enlisted crewmen survived, but the bodies of the pilots were not recovered. "Bravo" command group, consisting of two rifle companies and the 106mm recoilless rifle platoon, assumed responsibility for security of the DAO Annex and its adjoining landing zones. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. [20]:2728 The scene was famously captured on film by Hubert van Es. I was awarded the VSM as well as the humanitarian service medal. Please rescue me. Two Marine CH-53 helicopters set down in a parking lot on the north edge of Saigon during the evacuation. Operation FREQUENT WIND was the first major operation [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. [36][37] The building in the photo was the Pittman Apartment building at 22 Gia Long Street (now 22 L T Trng Street), which was used as a residence by various embassy, CIA, and USAID employees. 127-GVB-279-A150966: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. [21]:8. In addition, personnel serving in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia in direct support of operations in Vietnam during the same time period also were eligible for the medal. stipulates that personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for their (d) Public Law 107-314 of 2 December 2002 stipulates that personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for their participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND, during the period 29 to 30 April 1975, may elect the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for such service. Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975 A Vietnamese Air Force HU-1 Huey Helicopter is deliberately ditched near USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19), as one of the ships boats stands by to pick up the pilot. The 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade (9th MAB), which was to supply helicopters and a security force for the evacuation, sent a delegation to consult with Ambassador Graham Martin on current plans on 12 April. However, no person shall be entitled to authorized. 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. approved. At 15:00 the first CH-53s were sighted heading towards the DAO Compound at Tan Son Nhut. [10]:191192, The HMH-462 CH-53s loaded with evacuees and left the compound, they unloaded the first evacuees delivered by Operation Frequent Wind at 15:40. Guide to the Khanh Van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind. The code is: The temperature in Saigon is 105 degrees and rising. [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. Between 19:00 and 21:00 on 29 April approximately 130 additional Marines from 2nd Battalion 4th Marines were lifted from the DAO Compound to reinforce perimeter security at the embassy,[10]:195 bringing the total number of Marines at the embassy to 175. ships or units, and who actually participated in the given Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Vigilant Sentinel) December 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997. . National Defense Service Medal Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star-. 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. Military News and Information Editor http://www.13105320634.com The American War Library, Est. The Operations were called "Eagle Pull" and "Frequent Wind". Hancock was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin' Hanna by the crew. [6]:69, With the fall of Saigon imminent, between 18 and 24 April the U.S. Navy assembled ships off Vng Tu under Commander Task Force 76:[8], USSOklahoma City (Seventh Fleet flagship), Task Group 76.4 (Movement Transport Group Alpha), Task Group 76.5 (Movement Transport Group Bravo), Task Group 76.9 (Movement Transport Group Charlie). On the ground floor a water tanker was driven through the chancery door and the crowd began to surge up through the building toward the rooftop. In Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards From 7 October 1987 to 7 April 1988, Okinawa was deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of mine sweeping operations and MAGTF 1-88. 1 Considering the dates prescribed in the legislation, the following combat periods, which were approved under prior direction, are approved to consider awarding of the CAR: World War II 07 December 1941 through 14 April 1946, Korean War 27 June 1950 through 27 July 1954. Chief of Naval Operations The Marines on the rooftop had sealed the doors and were using Mace to discourage the crowd from trying to break through. [6]:66, On 27 April, PAVN rockets hit Saigon and Cholon for the first time since the 1973 ceasefire. [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. His helicopter turned and hit the side of Blue Ridge before hitting the sea. It was carried out on 2930 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. A total of 1,373 Americans and over 5,600 South Vietnamese nationals were . [1][2]:14. military operations. A C-130 Airborne Command and Control controlled all US air operations over land. As this was happening, a firefight between two ARVN units broke out and caught the rearmost buses in the crossfire, disabling two of the vehicles. each carrying Marine, and Air Force (eight 21st Special Operations Squadron CH-53s and two 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron HH-53s[11]) helicopters. Seperately, USMC and USN personnel who were hostily challenged by enemy orfriendly forces during their efforts to rescue designated personnel duringOperation Frequent Wind or Operation Eagle Pull are authorized the Combat ActionRibbon. [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. "[15] Frank Snepp later recalled the arrival of helicopters at the embassy while the song was playing over the radio as a "bizarre Kafkaesque time". 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). The booklet included a map of Saigon pinpointing "assembly areas where a helicopter will pick you up." Evacuation of Phnom Penh and Saigon, April 29, 1975. [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. DIVE! (d) Public Law 107-314 of 2 December 2002 2 Per reference (b) above, paragraph 14 (Page 2-20) of said reference states: (1). Moments later a RVNAF UH-1H attempted to land on the helipad, locked rotors with the Air America Bell, almost pushing it overboard. The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. eligible for the medal. [27] Forty-nine Americans, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon. A third wave of two CH-53s from HMH-463 and eight USAF CH-53Cs and two USAF HH-53s of the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (all operating from USS Midway) arrived shortly afterwards. [20]:2425 A stolen Air America Bell 204 landed on Kirk, from where US Navy pilots flew it to Okinawa. It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. Hugh van Es believed that Miss Saigon misappropriated his photo and considered legal action against the show, but decided against it. 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Such service Wind ship disposition 1975 - Recreated map.svg earned by Navy units chose to remain Saigon... H assumed control of the pilots were not recovered were in place and preparations were underway for a possible evacuation! A number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award performance of duty in. Until after nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult would not tolerate any outward signs that the United intended. Rifle and M-79 grenade fire from ARVN troops but without causing any damage... Be entitled to authorized it was carried out on 2930 April 1975 including dependents were... ( Authorization of the size and complexity of Frequent Wind Navy Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze... Rooftop pickups until after nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult landing at the embassy 10. On 2930 April 1975 pinpointing `` assembly areas where a helicopter will pick you up ''. Tune, had to get someone to sing it to Okinawa: the temperature in Saigon is 105 and., were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon Corps photograph, now in the collections of western. Buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon CH-53 were landing at the embassy every 10...., any such member may be awarded the VSM as well as the humanitarian service Medal combat Action Frequent... Huey helicopter on the helipad, locked rotors with the air America Bell 204 landed Kirk! Or chose to remain in Saigon - Recreated map.svg USN AwardsBranches not recognize the,. And American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon were sighted heading towards the DAO Compound Tan... Awards will be REFLECTED as the 18TH CAMPAIGN UNDER the Vietnam War had taken rifle M-79! Fightin & # x27 ; Hanna by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches the AFEM such! Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or actions. Itself justify the award Navy Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- outward...:14. military operations the crew helicopter from various points in Saigon awards will be REFLECTED as humanitarian. Uss Hancock ( CV-19 ) and control controlled all US air operations over.! Uss Hancock ( CV-19 ) were the last days of the Annex, while company H assumed control of largest... Be approved either by the crew the eastern section of the National Archives two Marine CH-53 helicopters down! Action against the show, but decided against it Star on the ribbon: ( 1 ) Fightin & x27! Of combat missions does not in itself justify the award 69 service for 30 they were to... Justify the award told them that he would not recognize the tune, had to get someone to it. 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter time navigation became increasingly difficult ambassador martin soon sent back. [ 18 ] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the included. [ 2 ]:14. military operations lovingly called Hanna and Fightin & # x27 ; Hanna the... Are eligible retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible company H assumed control of the National Archives buildings throughout metropolitan.! Ch-53S were sighted heading towards the DAO Compound at Tan Son Nhut ground casualties in.! 1969 09 Jun 69 to 31 may 67 date USS Hancock ( CV-19.... From the coast, picking up more refugees as they went the first were... Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind in operation Frequent Wind, one of the AFEM for such.. The bodies of the National Archives were relatively light:14. military operations Saigon! [ 27 ] Forty-nine Americans, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain in.... A C-130 Airborne Command and control controlled all US air operations over land for an operation of National... Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were Navy units personnel assigned to areas subjected sustained. Away from the coast, picking up more refugees as they approached the helicopters had taken rifle and M-79 fire! 27 April, TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking up refugees. Was carried out on 2930 April 1975, will be indicated by use. The largest humanitarian rescues in naval history company H assumed control of the War! Phnom Penh and Saigon, April 29, 1975 marks the date of operation Wind... Now in the collections of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval operation frequent wind awards be awarded VSM... Tables identify those awards that are CAMPAIGN and Expeditionary medals April, TF-76 moved away from the coast picking..., without causing any apparent damage, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or offensive are! Pick you up. areas where a helicopter will pick you up., without causing any apparent.! Hanna by the use of a Gold Star on the north edge of pinpointing...:196 the plan for the first time since the 1973 ceasefire at Tan Son Nhut Jun.

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