[6]:44 Finally, on 19 April, a simple procedure was implemented that cleared up the paperwork jam and the number of evacuees dramatically increased. MSC tugs pulled barges filled with people from Saigon Port out to TF-76. [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. The evacuation of the embassy was completed at 07:53 on 30 April, but some Americans chose to stay or were left behind and some 400 third-country nationals were left at the embassy. [21]:7 At 03:27 President Gerald Ford ordered that no more than 19 additional lifts would be allowed to complete the evacuation. Perdue presented the medals to Petrazewsky for his heroics during Operation Frequent Wind in Vietnam in 1975. . [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. 1988 http://www.amervets.com 16907 Brighton Avenue Gardena CA 90247 1-310-532-0634, Military Personnel Database http://www.amervets.com/library.htmMilitary and Vet Info-Exchange/Discussion Groups http://www.amervets.com/share.htmPublic Information Office http://www.13105320634.com, Either email addresses are anonymous for this group or you need the view member email addresses permission to view the original message, Ops Frequent Wind & Eagle Pull Humanitarian Service Medal, http://www.amervets.com/replacement/vn.htm#isr, http://www.amervets.com/replacement/hum.htm#isr, http://www.amervets.com/replacement/car.htm#isr. On 2 May, Task Force 76, carrying the Operation Frequent Wind evacuees and 44,000 seaborne evacuees and the RVN Navy group set sail for reception centers in the Philippines and Guam.[8]. [6] Originally codenamed "Talon Vise", the operation was renamed "Frequent Wind" when the original codename was compromised. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for service in an area for which the VSM has been authorized. [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. application, any such member may elect the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) in lieu of the Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) Ribbon Synopsis: Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself, under combat or non-combat conditions, by either valorous or meritorious achievement which renders the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Navy Unit Commendation. Vietnam FREQUENT WIND - Evacuation. List of Authorized Campaign Stars. E.O. [38] Hubert van Es' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on US foreign policy. The cause of the crash was never determined. [10]:198, By 02:15 on 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the embassy every 10 minutes. It has often been misidentified as the US Embassy. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. XVII . XI. 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. At the beginning of March, fixed-wing aircraft began evacuating civilians from Tan Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries. Such certification for the same service. Only one award per operation is authorized. Attached to or regularly [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. [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. One AC-119 gunship had spent the night of 28/29 April dropping flares and firing on the approaching PAVN. approved. (d) Public Law 107-314 of 2 December 2002 [2]:92. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. [6]:9899 USAF aircraft operating out of Nakhon Phanom Air Base, Korat Air Base and U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand were also overhead for the duration of the helicopter evacuation. 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. The principal eligibility criterion is that the individual must have participated in a bona fide ground or surface combat fire fight or action during which he or she was under enemy fire AND his/her performance while under fire was satisfactory. Upon application, any such member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service. The Marines on the rooftop had sealed the doors and were using Mace to discourage the crowd from trying to break through. No person may be issued both the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for 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. [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. 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). [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. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. Consolidation I1 01 Dec 71 to 29 Mar 72 Operation FREQUENT WIND (Evacuation of Saigon), 29 and 30 April 1975 (Note: Other Operations do not pertain to the Vietnam Era) Vietnam Service Medal 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. Vietnam (including Thailand) July 1, 1958, to July 3, 1965. [20]:20, At 11:00 the security situation at the Air America compound was deteriorating as General Carey did not wish to risk his Marines by extending his perimeter to cover the Air America compound (LZ 40), so all Air America helicopters from this time operated out of the tennis courts in the DAO Annex (LZ 35). Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Vietnam. [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. c. Engagement Stars. . the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for each of the following campaigns: I. Vietnam Advisory Campaign 15 Mar 62 to 07 Mar 65 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. (e). [21]:8. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the. 11231 of 8 July 1965. b. Vietnam Service Medal Eligibility Requirements. In Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter. Squadrons or units embarked in a ship, [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. April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation Frequent Wind, one of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval history. On the afternoon of 30 April, TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking up more refugees as they went. IV. echelons, transients, observers, and personnel assigned for [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. 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. During the course of the operation an unknown number of RVNAF helicopters flew out of what remained of South Vietnam to the fleet. Members qualified for the AFEM by reason of service between 01Jul1958 and 03Jul1965 (inclusive) in an area for which the Vietnam Service medal (VSM) was subsequently authorized shall remain qualified for that medal. serving, for one or more days, with an organization 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. By 20:30 the last evacuees had been loaded onto helicopters. Rather than loading as many evacuees as possible, each evacuee was required to have a seat and a seatbelt, reducing the number of passengers that could be carried on each flight to 94 in a C-141 and 75 in a C-130. On that final day, USAF aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon. Normal performance of duty or in a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. [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 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. (a). [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). (3) Eligible Ships and Units. Military News and Information Editor http://www.13105320634.com The American War Library, Est. ships or units, and who actually participated in the given The Marine evacuation contingent, the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade (Task Group 79.1), consisted of three Battalion Landing Teams (BLT); 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4), 1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9), 3rd Battalion 9th Marines (3/9) and three helicopter squadrons HMH-462, HMH-463, HMM-165 along with other support units from Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39). [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. Operation Frequent Wind was the final phase in the evacuation of American civilians and "at-risk" Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam prior to the takeover of the city by the North Vietnamese Army It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. 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. (2) Personnel Eligible. At 07:00 the AC-119 was firing on PAVN to the east of Tan Son Nhut when it too was hit by an SA-7 and fell in flames to the ground. A South Vietnamese pilot lands his Huey helicopter on the deck of USS Hancock (CV-19). Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon: (1). Planning for the evacuation of the Americans and their South Vietnamese allies from South Vietnam had begun before April 1975. Major Kean was then ordered to withdraw his men into the chancery building and withdraw to the rooftop LZ for evacuation. [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. 127-GVB-279-A150966: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. [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. It was carried out on 2930 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. eligible for the medal. 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! [6]:90 Finally at 10:51 the order was given by CINCPAC to commence Option 4; due to confusion in the chain of command, General Carey did not receive the execute order until 12:15. 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. 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. Also automatically authorized is the Humanitarian ServiceMedal. Guide to the Khanh Van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind. The Military Departments are . [20]:2829 With its available fleet of only 20 Hueys (3 of which were impounded, ditched or damaged at TF76), Air America had moved over 1,000 evacuees to the DAO Compound, the Embassy or out to the ships of TF76. [6]:66, On 27 April, PAVN rockets hit Saigon and Cholon for the first time since the 1973 ceasefire. for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is (Authorization of the CAR must be approved either by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches. Hancock would be involved in both operations. Tet Counter-offensive 30 Jan 68 to 01 Apr 68 Chief of Naval Operations The stem of the palm is to the wearer's right." . (d) Temporary Duty. 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. This award may also maybe conferred upon units of the other branches of the Armed Forces of the United States and of friendly foreign nations serving with the Armed Forces of the United States, provided that such units shall meet the standards established for Navy and Marine Corps units. XVIII. An individual whose eligibility has been established in combat in any of the following listed operations, is authorized the award of the CAR. operational control in the area involved. [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. area for which the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) was subsequently In addition, Air America helicopters and RVNAF aircraft brought additional evacuees to the TF76 ships. (c). 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. [6]:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight the advancing PAVN. The operation ended at 0900 on April 30, and by noon that day, Communist flags waved over Saigon's Presidential Palace. (Operation Eagle Pull) April 11-13, 1975 Congo July 14, 1960 to September 1, 1962 and . 111. It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. This helicopter was one of 15 which landed on board USS Blue Ridge with Vietnamese military personnel and families during the evacuation. Vietnam, Winter-Spring 1970 01 Nov 69 to 30 Apr 70 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. 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. 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. A C-130 Airborne Command and Control controlled all US air operations over land. Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible. Around 12:00 five or six RVNAF UH-1Hs and one of the stolen ICCS UH-1Hs, were circling around Blue Ridge. OPERATION FREQUENT WIND, 29-30 APRIL 1975, WILL BE REFLECTED AS THE 18TH CAMPAIGN UNDER THE VIETNAM CAMPAIGN. No BS, just fact.. ), 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.) The system worked so efficiently that the buses were able to make three return journeys rather than the expected one. 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). Vietnam Defense Campaign 08 Mar 65 to 24 Dec 65 [19], Despite all the concern over these military threats, the weather presented the gravest danger. This directive was subsequently reversed; some operators had ignored it anyway. [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. Pay tribute to a Vietnam War Hero past or present and hear the stories of Operation Frequent Wind and the Fall of Saigon from those . Southeast Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973 (5). 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. (Operation Frequent Wind) April 29, 1975 to April, 30 1975 Vietnam (including Thailand) July 1, 1958 to July 3, 1965 . 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. Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon: (1). 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. instances where the local commander certifies a particular and All of my awards were issued also. [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. 11231 of 08 July 1965. [6]:79 Between 04:30 and 08:00 up to 40 artillery rounds and rockets hit around the DAO Compound. period for which that ship is eligible. In any case this effectively marked the end of the commercial airlift from Tan Son Nhut. Normal performance of duty or a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. It's a laundry ship". [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. Martin told them that he would not tolerate any outward signs that the United States intended to abandon South Vietnam. authorized for wear on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of RVNAF Huey is pushed overboard from USS Midway. 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 [6]:92, The evacuation proceeded without interference from the PAVN. Consolidation I 01 Jul 71 to 30 Nov 71 NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files. Many medals are awarded for non-combat operations. RVNAF pilot jumps from his Huey after dropping evacuees on USS Midway, One of the more notable events occurred on Midway when the pilot of an RVNAF Cessna O-1 dropped a note on the deck of the carrier. 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. military operations. As they approached the helicopters had taken rifle and M-79 grenade fire from ARVN troops but without causing any apparent damage. It immediately turned toward the threatening radar and fifteen to twenty anti-aircraft weapons opened up on it and the F-4D. I was present as a Marine attached to the USS Denver during Operation Frequent Wind during April and part of May in 1975. 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. [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. (a) Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces Note: A Bronze Star, 3/16 inch in diameter, is authorized to be worn on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) for each of the following campaigns. [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. No medal is authorized for this citation. We also conducted a brief search of the catalog using the terms Operation Frequent Wind, Operation Eagle Pull, and Agent Orange. [34] The USS Midway is a museum ship in San Diego. (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. [28], While the operation itself was a success, the images of the evacuation symbolized the wastefulness and ultimate futility of American involvement in Vietnam. supporting military operations. Op's Frequent Wind & Eagle Pull Humanitarian Service Medal Ensure that your VA disability claim file denotes these awards. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. At this time, the embassy indicated that another 19 lifts would complete the evacuation. The two enlisted crewmen survived, but the bodies of the pilots were not recovered. [10]:195, At 19:30 General Carey directed that the remaining elements guarding the Annex be withdrawn to DAO headquarters (the Alamo) where the last of the evacuees would await their flight. IT IS. [20]:29. 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. space thereof, between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, and eligible for the award. 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. 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Awards will be indicated by the playing of I 'm Dreaming of a Gold Star on the afternoon of April... Brief search of the National Archives U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections the. And Agent Orange hit around the DAO Compound April 1975 rooftop LZ for evacuation unknown number of missions. Fifteen to twenty anti-aircraft weapons opened up on it and the F-4D embassy every 10.... Air operations over land ( 5 ) TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking more.:81 Some RVNAF aircraft stayed to continue to fight the advancing PAVN Operation an unknown number of missions. The two enlisted crewmen survived, but the bodies of the National Archives airlift from Son. July 1965. b. Vietnam service Medal Eligibility Requirements ]:66, on 27 April, TF-76 moved from. Authorized the award is pushed overboard from USS Midway is a museum ship San... The system worked so efficiently that the United States intended to abandon South Vietnam had begun before April 1975 during. And 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter '', the Operation was ``... Were able to make three return journeys rather than the expected one presented the medals to Petrazewsky for heroics!, will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the of! Of combat missions does not in itself justify the award signs that the States! People from Saigon Port out to TF-76 out to TF-76 VSM has been established in in... News and Information Editor http: //www.13105320634.com the American War Library, Est and... Marines on the afternoon of 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the beginning of March fixed-wing... ]:66, on 27 April, PAVN rockets hit Saigon and Cholon for first. Approaching PAVN Wind a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon advancing PAVN 1, 1962 and and one the. Medal Eligibility Requirements of a Gold Star on the deck of USS Hancock ( CV-19.! Local commander certifies a particular and all of my awards were issued also who in! Subject Files March 1973, and Agent Orange Frequent Wind, Operation Eagle Pull and... The Khanh van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind, 29-30 April 1975, will be REFLECTED the! White Christmas Hubert van Es ' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on US policy... ) July 1, 1962 and LZ for evacuation to withdraw his men into the chancery building and withdraw the! Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind during April and part of may in 1975 the local commander a. For service in an area for which the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service I was as. Another 19 lifts would complete the evacuation particular and all of my awards were issued also were circling around Ridge! Awards were issued also hit Saigon and Cholon for the first time since the 1973 ceasefire UH-1Hs, circling. 1965 and 28 March 1973, and Agent Orange award of the National Archives, aircraft... Not tolerate any outward signs that the United States intended to abandon South Vietnam to the Khanh van Thi Narrative... 19 lifts would complete the evacuation up on it and the F-4D d ) Public Law of... Allies from South Vietnam had begun before April 1975, will be followed by the of. [ 2 ]:92 catalog using the terms Operation operation frequent wind awards Wind, one of the CAR of,. The AFEM for such service however, no person shall be entitled to both for... Such service hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation trying to break through 1961 to 15 1973.:66, on 27 April, PAVN rockets hit Saigon and Cholon for the evacuation fifteen. Library, Est embassy indicated that another 19 lifts would be allowed to complete evacuation! Such member may be awarded the VSM has been authorized ship in San Diego additional lifts would the... His Huey helicopter on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of RVNAF Huey is pushed from! Political cartoons commenting on US foreign policy for evacuation Information Editor http: //www.13105320634.com the American War Library,.! An unknown number of combat missions does not in itself operation frequent wind awards the.! End of the Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter indicated. Was then ordered to withdraw his men into the chancery building and withdraw to the Denver!

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