The Fall of Saigon: 50 Years Later

Overview

• Context: Marking 50 years since the Vietnam War's final days.
• Focus: Personal accounts from American military personnel and journalists present during the fall.

Key Events Leading to the Fall of Saigon

South Vietnamese Evacuation

• Panama Airliner Incident: South Vietnamese soldiers forced their way onto an airliner, leaving families behind.
• Chaos: Described as an every-man-for-himself situation amid North Vietnam's offensive.

American Military Presence

• Stuart Harrington: One of the few American military left in Vietnam noted increasing threats marked by red arrows on maps.

President Ford's Response

• Ordered the immediate airlift of Vietnamese orphans amid the unrest.
• Tragic Plane Crash: A plane carrying orphans and Americans crashed, killing 78 orphans and 35 Americans.

Escalating Threats

• Henry Kissinger's Warning: Urged evacuation due to worsening conditions.
• Tan Son Nhat Airport Bombing: North Vietnamese attacks made the runway unusable.

Operation Frequent Wind

Initiation and Execution

• Order Given: Ambassador Graham Martin ordered the start of the operation on April 29, 1975.
• Helicopter Evacuations: Largest in history, as American and Vietnamese personnel sought escape.
• Embassy Siege: Civilians and Marines faced desperation at the US embassy.

Personal Accounts

• Gerry Barry: Marine helicopter pilot involved in the evacuation.
• Jerome Thomas: Marine Guard on the embassy grounds, dealt with chaos and crowd control.

Final Evacuations

• Last Helicopter Missions: Gerry Barry and crews evacuated remaining personnel.
• Ambassador's Departure: Ambassador Martin left Saigon with the American flag.
• Final Call Sign: 'Tiger, Tiger, Tiger' signifying Ambassador's evacuation.

Aftermath

Marines Left Behind

• Kissinger's Miscommunication: Marines were initially left on the embassy roof.
• Rescue Mission: Two helicopters returned to extract the remaining Marines.

Reflections

• Sergeant Juan Valdez: Recalled expecting to be abandoned, ready to fight.
• Doug Potratz: Felt the low point of American involvement, reflecting on the losses.
• Final Rescue: The last helicopters took all remaining Americans, with Valdez being the last man out, emphasizing leadership and duty.

Conclusion

• The fall of Saigon marked a significant and emotional end to American involvement in Vietnam.
• Personal stories highlighted the chaos, bravery, and sense of duty among those involved in the final hours.