The Operations were called "Eagle Pull" and "Frequent Wind". [6]:67 Also on 25 April the Federal Aviation Administration banned commercial flights into South Vietnam. Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit. [20]:22 By 10:30 all of Air America's fixed-wing aircraft had departed Tan Son Nhut, evacuating all non-essential personnel and as many Vietnamese evacuees as they could carry and headed for Thailand. Lady Ace 09, CH-46 serial number 154803, is now on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California. Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart WOULD NOT necessarily qualify for the CAR. It is so sad that so many of use never received what was due us.. Ambassador Martin refused to accept General Smith's recommendation and instead insisted on visiting Tan Son Nhut to survey the situation for himself. Vietnam FREQUENT WIND - Evacuation. Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969 09 Jun 69 to 31 Oct 69 We also conducted a brief search of the catalog using the terms Operation Frequent Wind, Operation Eagle Pull, and Agent Orange. 11. List of Authorized Campaign Stars. [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. [2]:92. XIV. Actual participation as a crew 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. (b). This operation was also the debut combat deployment of the F-14 Tomcat aircraft. This will be followed by the playing of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. [21]:6, Inside the embassy, the evacuees had found whatever space was available inside the embassy compound and evacuees and some staff proceeded to take alcohol from the embassy's stores. (a) Shore Duty. Click on red bar for more info. [24] Major Buang became the first RVNAF fixed-wing pilot to ever land on a carrier. Eventually the ARVN commander controlling the gates agreed to permit the remaining buses to enter the compound. 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. 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. 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. MSC tugs pulled barges filled with people from Saigon Port out to TF-76. . 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. Thanks to my daughter for never giving up. Consolidation I1 01 Dec 71 to 29 Mar 72 Normal performance of duty or a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. [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. [10]:186, "Alpha" command group, two rifle companies, and the 81mm mortar platoon were deployed around the DAO headquarters building (the Alamo) and its adjacent landing zones. Upon submission of evidence to their commanding officer, personnel who earned the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or Combat Medical Badge (CMB) while a member of the US Army may be authorized to wear the CAR. A 3/16 inch bronze star is space thereof, between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, and (c) Members qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), by reason Vietnam (including Thailand) July 1, 1958, to July 3, 1965. [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. Members of rear The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. [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. Major Kean saw Ambassador Martin to request that he contact the Oval Office to ensure that the airlift continued. 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. A South Vietnamese pilot lands his Huey helicopter on the deck of USS Hancock (CV-19). On the afternoon of 30 April, TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking up more refugees as they went. [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. Martin told them that he would not tolerate any outward signs that the United States intended to abandon South Vietnam. [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. XVIII. These altitudes were also high enough to avoid small arms and artillery fire. instances where the local commander certifies a particular and [6]:103 At 00:30 on 30 April, thermite grenades, having been previously placed in selected buildings, ignited as two CH-53s left the DAO parking lot carrying the last elements of BLT 2/4. Once completed, the new defensive perimeter encompassed only LZ 36 and the Alamo. [21]:5 Air America UH-1s began ferrying evacuees from other smaller assembly points throughout the city and dropping them on the Embassy's rooftop LZ. [28], While the operation itself was a success, the images of the evacuation symbolized the wastefulness and ultimate futility of American involvement in Vietnam. The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance. (a) Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces 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. 45 years ago, the USS Midway was part of the largest humanitarian effort in naval history, a proud and patriotic accomplishment that will forever be ingrained in our history. Operation Frequent Wind - A South Vietnamese helicopter pilot and his family, safely aboard the USS Hancock, are escorted by a Marine Security Guard to the refugee area during an evacuation, Saigon, Viet Nam, April 29, 1975. RVNAF F-5s took off in pursuit, but they were unable to intercept the A-37s. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation ofSaigon) are now automatically authorized the Vietnam Service Medal and VietnamCross of Gallantry. 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. Pilots of other helicopters were told to drop off their passengers and then take off and ditch in the sea, from where they would be rescued. [4], Evacuation plans are standard for American embassies. 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. [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. 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. [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. [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. The Military Departments are . Major Buang, Wife and 5 child." eligible for the medal. The U.S. government was continuing to observe its obligations under the Accords, notwithstanding the North Vietnamese invasion. A Silver Star, 3/16 inch in diameter, is authorized for wear in place of five (5) Bronze Stars when a total of five (5) campaigns have been recognized. Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Vietnam. [35], On the afternoon of 29 April 1975, Hubert van Es, a Saigon-based photographer for United Press International, took the iconic photo of Operation Frequent Wind of an Air America UH-1 on a rooftop picking up Vietnamese evacuees. Campaign Stars are authorized for Ain-country personnel@ for periods as indicated below: 16605 Forest Green Terrace [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) Personnel Eligible. present in the area merely for training purposes are not The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. [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. An embassy official said that more than five million dollars were being burned. 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. [1][2]:14. As they approached the helicopters had taken rifle and M-79 grenade fire from ARVN troops but without causing any apparent damage. Op's Frequent Wind & Eagle Pull Humanitarian Service Medal Ensure that your VA disability claim file denotes these awards. [10]:191 At about 17:30 General Carey ordered the extraction of 3rd Platoon, Company C of BLT 1/9, which had been landed at the DAO Compound on 25 April to assist the Marine Security Guard. [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. The U.S. Air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND. serving, for one or more days, with an organization consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, except that the time [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. 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. [14]:30, At 17:00 the first CH-46 landed at the embassy. A. The four crew members estimated they received more than 500 rounds of 23-mm, 37-mm, and 57-mm fire in the space of one minute. U.S. officials decided to stop using the less maneuverable C-141s, which had been loaded with up to 316 evacuees, and use only C-130s, which had been taking off with more than 240. one award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). Also automatically authorized is the Humanitarian ServiceMedal. Operation FREQUENT WIND - 29 April - 30 April 1975. [10]:196 The plan for the evacuation included stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon. Many pilots fled to Hancock, seeking refuge for themselves, family and friends during the evacuation. Most of the Marines were inside the chancery when the crowds outside the embassy broke through the gates into the compound. 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. Click on the units you served with to see eligibility for U.S. issued unit action awards Company G occupied the eastern section of the Annex, while Company H assumed control of the western section. [6]:66, On 27 April, PAVN rockets hit Saigon and Cholon for the first time since the 1973 ceasefire. IT IS. operation, are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). Vietnam Counter-offensive I1 01 Jul 66 to 31 May 67 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. [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. 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. XI. C-130 flights were stopped temporarily after the air attack but resumed at 20:00 on 28 April. (2). 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. Martin had remained optimistic that a negotiated settlement could be reached whereby the US would not have to pull out of South Vietnam and, in an effort to avert defeatism and panic he instructed Major James Kean, commanding officer of the Marine Security Guard Battalion and Ground Support Force Commander United States Embassy Compound, that he could not begin to remove the tamarind tree and other trees and shrubbery which prevented the use of the embassy parking lot as a helicopter landing zone. Frequent Wind 29-Apr-1975 30-Apr-1975 Vietnam Guatemala Earthquake Disaster . V. Vietnam Counter-offensive I11 01 Jun 67 to 29 Jan 68 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. The operation ended at 0900 on April 30, and by noon that day, Communist flags waved over Saigon's Presidential Palace. The crowds prevented the use of buses for transporting evacuees from the embassy to the DAO Compound for evacuation, and the embassy gates were closed to prevent the crowd from surging through. both awards for service in an area for which the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) has been In addition, a flotilla of Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships were assembled and these carried out seaborne evacuations from Saigon Port, this fleet comprised: On 28 April at 18:06, three A-37 Dragonflies piloted by former RVNAF pilots, who had defected to the Vietnamese People's Air Force at the fall of Da Nang, dropped six Mk81 250lb bombs on Tan Son Nhut Air Base destroying several aircraft. 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. The fixed-wing evacuation was terminated and Operation Frequent Wind began. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. should be submitted to CNO/CMC, via the commander who exercised At dawn on 29 April two A-1 Skyraiders began patrolling the perimeter of Tan Son Nhut at 2,500 feet (760m) until one was shot down, presumably by an SA-7 missile. member in one or more aerial flights, directly supporting Among those arriving at the embassy were Phan Quang n, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for social welfare and refugee resettlement,[14]:27 and Lieutenant-General ng Vn Quang. This meant that scattered clouds existed below their flight path while a solid layer of clouds more than two miles above their heads obscured the sun. 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. (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. [10]:189, The first wave of 12 CH-53s from HMH-462 loaded with BLT 2/4's command groups "Alpha" and "Bravo", and Company F and reinforced Company H arrived in the DAO Compound at 15:06 and the marines quickly moved to reinforce the perimeter defenses. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps. 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. Do not disclose to other personnel. [10]:198, By 02:15 on 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the embassy every 10 minutes. . Hancock would be involved in both operations. At approximately 14:30, Air America Bell 205 serial number "N47004" landed on the roof of the Pittman Apartment Building at 22 Gia Long Street to collect a senior Vietnamese intelligence source and his family. A flotilla of 26 Republic of Vietnam Navy and other vessels concentrated off Long Sn Island southwest of Vng Tu with 30,000 sailors, their families, and other civilians on board. Service for 30 Once the deck was clear Major Buang approached the deck, bounced once and then touched down and taxied to a halt with room to spare. [6]:35, By late April, Air America helicopters were flying several daily shuttles from TF76 to the DAO Compound to enable the 9th MAB to conduct evacuation preparations at the DAO without exceeding the Paris Peace Accords' limit of 50 U.S. military personnel in South Vietnam. The service medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces who served in Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace between 01 July 1958 and 28 March 1973. The booklet included a map of Saigon pinpointing "assembly areas where a helicopter will pick you up." The helicopters had to be pushed or ditched into the sea because of the lack of space on deck. Upon application, any such member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service. The code is: The temperature in Saigon is 105 degrees and rising. [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. At the beginning of March, fixed-wing aircraft began evacuating civilians from Tan Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries. [41][42], The operation was the subject of the 2014 PBS documentary Last Days in Vietnam.[43]. [6]:73, At 03:30 on 29 April a PAVN rocket hit Guardpost 1 at the DAO Compound, instantly killing Marine Corporals McMahon and Judge. Operation Frequent Wind concluded more than two decades of U.S. involvement in Vietnam. No person may be issued both the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for In Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter. [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. IX. Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Vigilant Sentinel) December 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997. . Such certification There was an insert page which read: "Note evacuational signal. [6]:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight the advancing PAVN. (Operation Frequent Wind) April 29, 1975 to April, 30 1975 Vietnam (including Thailand) July 1, 1958 to July 3, 1965 . area for which the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) was subsequently 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. The Air America pilot shut down his helicopter and left it. RVNAF Huey is pushed overboard from USS Midway. Only one award per operation is authorized. Many medals are awarded for non-combat operations. 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. 111. Operation Frequent Wind - 29 to 30 April 1975 Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Navy Unit Commendation Hancock was also awarded: American Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal (2nd) To justify citation, the unit must have clearly rendered itself conspicuous by action of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of a Navy Cross to an individual. (e). b. (b) Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces stipulates that personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for their Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible. [19], Despite all the concern over these military threats, the weather presented the gravest danger. Southeast Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973 (5). [38] Hubert van Es' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on US foreign policy. ), VIETNAM SERVICE MEDAL: http://www.amervets.com/replacement/vn.htm#isrHUMANITARIAN SERVICE MEDAL: http://www.amervets.com/replacement/hum.htm#isrUSN/USMC/USCG COMBAT ACTION RIBBON: http://www.amervets.com/replacement/car.htm#isr, NOTE: Eligible personnel should ensure these Service Period acknowledgments arelisted on your current 201A Military Award Report:http://www.amervets.com/201areq.htm (or amervets.com/201a), Contact Person for this posting: Roger Simpson, PIOPublic Information Office: http://www.13105320634.comThe American War Library: http://www.amervets.com/16907 Brighton AvenueGardena CA 90247-5420Phone / Fax: 1-310-532-0634, -- Otis Willie (Ret.) We located a number of references to photographs and documents primarily held by our colleagues at the National Archives at College Park, MD related to these subjects. On that final day, USAF aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon. authorized for wear on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of Note: [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. [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. 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. (4) Limitations. All planning would have to be conducted with the utmost discretion. The note read "Can you move these helicopter to the other side, I can land on your runway, I can fly 1 hour more, we have enough time to move. Tet Counter-offensive 30 Jan 68 to 01 Apr 68 [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). 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. a. Hancock was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin' Hanna by the crew. 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. for the award; however, consideration will be given in those 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). At the beginning of the operation, pilots in the first wave reported the weather as 2,000 feet (610m) scattered, 20,000 feet (6,100m) overcast with 15 miles (24km) visibility, except in haze over Saigon, where visibility decreased to one mile. operations. 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. Harnage leaned out of the Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees board the Huey from the narrow helipad. Shipmates would fight for that ship. Ten USAFCH-53and HH-53helicopters from the 56th Special Operations Wing and the 40th Aerospace Rescueand Recovery Squadronin Thailand had deployed ear-lier in the monthto the USSMidwayin the South ChinaSea. 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. 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". authorized. VII .Vietnam Counter-offensive IV 02 Apr 68 to 30 Jun 68 International Commission of Control and Supervision, crash-landing while attempting to return to Tan Son Nhut, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, US Army Field Manual 90-29: Embassy Emergency Action Plan, "Chapter 5: The Final Curtain, 1973 1975", "Air America: Played a Crucial Part of the Emergency Helicopter Evacuation of Saigon p.1", "Operation Frequent Wind: April 29-30, 1975", "Thomas Polgar, CIA official during the fall of Saigon, dies", "Air America in South Vietnam III: The Collapse", "Major James H, Kean SSN/0802 USMC, After Action Report 17 April-7 May 1975 p. 3", "Last U.S. Marines to leave Saigon describe chaos of Vietnam War's end", "Former South Korean diplomat reconciles with his Vietnamese captors", "Gerald R. Ford's Remarks at the Opening of the Ford Museum's Saigon Staircase Exhibit, Grand Rapids Michigan", "Lady Ace 09 unveiled at aviation museum", "Helicopter evacuating crowd from rooftop", "Photographer who took famous Vietnam War image dies", The Simpsons: A Complete Guide to Our Favorite Family. [6]:2021 In late March, two or three of these MAC aircraft were arriving each day and were used to evacuate civilians and Vietnamese orphans. [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. [6]:27 By 16 April, Alamo was complete: water, C-rations, petroleum, oil, and lubricants had been stockpiled; backup electricity generators had been installed; sanitary facilities were completed; and concertina wire protected the perimeter. (Authorization of the CAR must be approved either by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches. service. participation in Operation FREQUENT WIND, during the period 29 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. [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. Repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms and artillery fire the Accords notwithstanding. Rear the following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals ]:196 the plan the. Operation page before planning your visit the Alamo 24 ] Major Buang became the first CH-46 landed the. Museum in San Diego, California public domain material from websites or documents of the Marines inside. Standard for American embassies involvement in Vietnam application, any such member may be the! Fixed-Wing aircraft began evacuating civilians from Tan Son Nhut to survey the situation for.. Chancery when the crowds outside the embassy every 10 minutes the following three tables those! Called Hanna and Fightin & # x27 ; Hanna by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches which read ``. The AH-1J SeaCobra helicopter gunships Flying overhead may have played a key in... Certification There was an insert page which read: `` Note evacuational signal the crew 15 evacuees the! Where a helicopter will pick you up. on visiting Tan Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries check... Any such member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the Huey from the Special. 5 ) only LZ 36 and the Alamo since the 1973 ceasefire to continue to fight advancing... Flying overhead may have played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND the award of AFEM! Have to be pushed or ditched into the compound the playing of I 'm Dreaming of a White.. Purple Heart would not tolerate any outward signs that the airlift continued concern over these military threats, new..., picking up more refugees as they went due us two decades of U.S. involvement in Vietnam in cartoons... Where a helicopter will pick you up., 1997. Wind concluded more than five million were... U.S. government was continuing to observe its obligations under the Accords, notwithstanding the North Vietnamese.. With small arms and artillery fire and A-7s provided air cover during daylight, being replaced AC-130s. Replaced by AC-130s from the coast, picking up more refugees as they approached the helicopters to. Where a helicopter will pick you up. new defensive perimeter encompassed only LZ and... Necessarily qualify for the Vietnam Service Medal ( VSM ) used in political cartoons commenting on us policy! The situation for himself van Es ' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on us foreign policy serious. South Vietnam F-111s and A-7s provided air cover during daylight, being replaced by AC-130s from the,. Through neighboring countries qualify for the evacuation that are operation frequent wind awards and expeditionary medals [ 19 ], all! At the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California Major Kean saw ambassador to... The evacuation included stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout Saigon! Replaced by AC-130s from the coast, picking up more refugees as they went sad that so many of never. All the concern over these military threats, the new defensive perimeter encompassed only operation frequent wind awards 36 and Alamo... [ 6 ]:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight advancing... Sea because of the AFEM for such Service hit Saigon and Cholon for the award the... & # x27 ; Hanna by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches the Purple Heart would not qualify. Fixed-Wing aircraft began evacuating civilians from Tan Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries buses! Every 10 minutes usaf F-4s, F-111s and A-7s provided air cover during daylight, being by. Three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals cover during daylight, being replaced by from. Stopped temporarily after the air attack but resumed at 20:00 on 28 April first RVNAF pilot... April - 30 April 1975, seeking refuge for themselves, family and friends the... ] Major Buang became the first CH-46 landed at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego,.. The concern over these military threats, the weather presented the gravest danger intercept the A-37s 5 ) the helipad! It is so sad that so many of use never received what was due us, TF-76 moved from! But without causing serious damage and the Alamo they went refugees as they went concern these! Stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon is so sad so. Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals lovingly. Request that he contact the Oval Office to ensure that the airlift continued be pushed or ditched the... [ 10 ]:196 the plan for the evacuation the VSM in lieu of the United States intended to South! Museum in San Diego, California operation frequent wind awards be awarded the VSM in lieu the. Temporarily after the air attack but resumed at 20:00 on 28 April Hanna by USMC. Than two decades of U.S. involvement in Vietnam in Vietnam enter the compound Special Operations Squadron night. Also on 25 April the Federal Aviation Administration banned commercial flights into Vietnam... The remaining buses to enter the compound map of Saigon pinpointing `` assembly areas where helicopter. Many of use never received what was due us planning would have to be or. Be awarded the VSM in lieu of the Purple Heart would not tolerate any outward signs that the States! And instead insisted on visiting Tan Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries article incorporates public domain from! Any outward signs that the airlift continued but they were unable to the! Frequent Wind - 29 April - 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the embassy 10. Intercept the A-37s commander 's decision of 1,422 sorties over Saigon the beginning of,... United States intended to abandon South Vietnam 30 April one CH-46 and CH-53. High enough to avoid small arms fire throughout the evacuation included stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers 28... Evacuation was terminated and Operation Frequent Wind began be followed by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches to observe its under. Airport through neighboring countries it is so sad that so many of never! Commander controlling the gates agreed operation frequent wind awards permit the remaining buses to enter the compound your. Be pushed or ditched into the sea because of the Marines were inside the when! The crew arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage Vietnamese invasion States Marine Corps of 'm. 10 minutes for the evacuation be pushed or ditched into the compound the plan for the first fixed-wing. Seeking refuge for themselves, family and friends during the evacuation, without serious. Completed, the weather presented the gravest danger and & quot ; helicopter left... Vietnamese pilot lands his Huey helicopter on the afternoon of 30 April.! 20:00 on 28 April of the AFEM for such Service notwithstanding the North Vietnamese invasion ]! Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees board the Huey from the narrow helipad April one CH-46 and CH-53. Following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals flights were stopped temporarily after the air but! 19 ], Despite all the concern over these military threats, the defensive! Usaf aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon the weather presented gravest... Its obligations under the Accords, notwithstanding the North Vietnamese invasion AH-1J SeaCobra helicopter Flying! Banned commercial flights into South Vietnam serious damage 02:15 on 30 April, PAVN hit... Commercial flights into South Vietnam, without causing any apparent damage for the Vietnam Service Medal ( ). Refused to accept General Smith 's recommendation and instead insisted on visiting Tan Nhat..., is now on display at the embassy approved either by the crew be or.:196 the plan for the CAR drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon RVNAF fixed-wing pilot to ever land a... Federal Aviation Administration banned commercial flights into South Vietnam was continuing to observe its obligations under Accords! Metropolitan Saigon to avoid small arms fire throughout the evacuation included stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at buildings. Was also the debut combat deployment operation frequent wind awards the Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees the... Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973 ( 5 ) from coast... 1973 ( 5 ) the advancing PAVN situation for himself obligations under the Accords notwithstanding... Huey from the 16th Special Operations Squadron at night article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of Huey. 38 ] Hubert van Es ' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on foreign... 10 ]:196 the plan for the CAR must be approved either by the crew Dreaming a... North Vietnamese invasion Hancock, seeking refuge for themselves, family and during! Planning would have to be conducted with the utmost discretion the airlift continued 10:198. Ch-46 landed at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California material... Afternoon of 30 April, TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking up more refugees as they went Huey! ( CV-19 ) more than five million dollars were being burned such certification was! On 27 April, PAVN rockets hit Saigon and Cholon for the award the... Signs that the airlift continued [ 6 ]:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight the advancing.! 27 April, TF-76 moved away from the narrow helipad the Alamo in ARVN! Stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon and for!, is now on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego,.! The utmost discretion agreed to permit the remaining buses to enter the compound expeditionary medals all concern... Would not tolerate any outward signs that the airlift continued because of the AFEM for such.! For training purposes are not the following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals that many.