a. [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. National Defense Service Medal Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star-. . Lady Ace 09, CH-46 serial number 154803, is now on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California. Operation FREQUENT WIND (Evacuation of Saigon), 29 and 30 April 1975 (Note: Other Operations do not pertain to the Vietnam Era) Vietnam Service Medal (d) Public Law 107-314 of 2 December 2002 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. On the afternoon of 30 April, TF-76 moved away from the coast, picking up more refugees as they went. RVNAF F-5s took off in pursuit, but they were unable to intercept the A-37s. It is so sad that so many of use never received what was due us.. 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. supporting military operations. 2 Per reference (b) above, paragraph 14 (Page 2-20) of said reference states: (1). In Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter. [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. [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. "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. Actual participation as a crew 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. [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. [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. Major Kean was then ordered to withdraw his men into the chancery building and withdraw to the rooftop LZ for evacuation. 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. 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. 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. Guide to the Khanh Van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind. All of my awards were issued also. At this time, the embassy indicated that another 19 lifts would complete the evacuation. An embassy official said that more than five million dollars were being burned. Squadrons or units embarked in a ship, An individual whose eligibility has been established in combat in any of the following listed operations, is authorized the award of the CAR. The biggest problem occurred when the ARVN unit guarding the main gate at Tan Son Nhut refused to allow the last convoy of buses into the DAO Compound at about 17:45. The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. 11231 of 08 July 1965. limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance. [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. Only personnel attached to No BS, just fact.. Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon: (1). At 10:00 Ambassador Martin confirmed General Smith's assessment and at 10:48 he contacted Washington to recommend Option 4, the helicopter evacuation. During the course of the operation an unknown number of RVNAF helicopters flew out of what remained of South Vietnam to the fleet. [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. Most of the Marines were inside the chancery when the crowds outside the embassy broke through the gates into the compound. [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. during the period for which that ship is listed as eligible, are Companies E and F respectively occupied the northern and southern sections between the DAO headquarters and the DAO Annex. (b) Sea Duty. SECNAVINST 1650.1F, Dated 8 August 1991. Awarded to all personnel assigned or attached to the following units, during the period shown, are authorized to wear the ribbon bar, Gallantry Medal Color, with Palm and Gold Frame. X. Tet 69 Counter-offensive 23 Feb 69 to 08 Jun 69 [20]:2425 A stolen Air America Bell 204 landed on Kirk, from where US Navy pilots flew it to Okinawa. Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star, It immediately turned toward the threatening radar and fifteen to twenty anti-aircraft weapons opened up on it and the F-4D. 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. 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. [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. Operation FREQUENT WIND - 29 April - 30 April 1975. Evacuation of Phnom Penh and Saigon, April 29, 1975. (Operation Frequent Wind) April 29, 1975, to April 30, 1975. NHHC Photograph Collection, Navy Subject Files. [14]:30, At 17:00 the first CH-46 landed at the embassy. for the same service. Thanks to my daughter for never giving up. 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. [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. [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. [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. XIII. 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. Strategic Air Command KC-135 tankers provided air-to-air refueling. 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. Authorization. The Marines on the rooftop had sealed the doors and were using Mace to discourage the crowd from trying to break through. 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. After receiving permission from the airborne commander, the Wild Weasel marked the three 57-mm sites with an AGM-45 Shrike missile and took evasive action to escape the tracers coming in. [6]:40 The Frequent Wind plan set out four possible evacuation options:[6]:9, With Option 4, the helicopter evacuation would be expected to be similar to Operation Eagle Pull, the American evacuation by air of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 12 April 1975. [6]:37 President Ford, in an address to the American public on 11 April, promised to evacuate Vietnamese civilians of various categories. Bronze Marine Corps Device(Navy), Two Marine CH-53 helicopters set down in a parking lot on the north edge of Saigon during the evacuation. The U.S. Air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND. eligible for the award. XIV. The USN formed a 48 ship task force to evacuate Americans and other from these countries. However, no person shall be entitled to Elbert, CO 80106, Colonel William B. Davis, USMC (Retired) Bio, View by Tank Companies & Ontos Battalions, Randy Browning Memorial Awarded the Navy Cross, Authorization for wear: E.O. 111. [6]:92, The evacuation proceeded without interference from the PAVN. [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. Only one award per operation is authorized. [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. 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. More than 7,000 people were evacuated by helicopter from various points in Saigon. 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. But these restrictions were relaxed and eventually ignored altogether as the pace of the evacuation quickened. By 22 April, 20 C-141 and 20 C-130s flights a day were flying evacuees out of Tan Son Nhut to Clark Air Base,[6]:60 some 1,000 miles away in the Philippines. Tet Counter-offensive 30 Jan 68 to 01 Apr 68 RVNAF Huey is pushed overboard from USS Midway. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the. 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. One AC-119 gunship had spent the night of 28/29 April dropping flares and firing on the approaching PAVN. The code is: The temperature in Saigon is 105 degrees and rising. 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]. VI . [27] Forty-nine Americans, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon. 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 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. [5] The Saigon plan had been developed over a number of years. Note: IX. President Ford later called it "a sad and tragic period in America's history" but argued that "you couldn't help but be very proud of those pilots and others who were conducting the evacuation". 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). to 30 April 1975, may elect the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for such Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart WOULD NOT necessarily qualify for the CAR. [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. 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. The helicopters had to be pushed or ditched into the sea because of the lack of space on deck. [6]:34 American commercial and contract carriers continued to fly out of Tan Son Nhut, but with decreasing frequency. To justify this award, the service performed as a unit must be of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Bronze Star Medal, or achievement of like caliber in a non-combat situation, to an individual. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. 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. These medals are not a basis for preference and include the following: . [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. of service between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965, inclusive, in an 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. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese evacuated themselves by sea or air. A. authorized for wear on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of Hancock would be involved in both operations. Persian Gulf Operation (Operation Vigilant Sentinel) December 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997. . [21]:7 At 03:27 President Gerald Ford ordered that no more than 19 additional lifts would be allowed to complete the evacuation. XI. A total of 1,373 Americans and over 5,600 South Vietnamese nationals were . Air America helicopters continued to make rooftop pickups until after nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult. one award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). [17] Members of the police in Saigon had been promised evacuation in exchange for protecting the American evacuation buses and control of the crowds in the city during the evacuation. for operations for which no other U.S. campaign medal is Consolidation I1 01 Dec 71 to 29 Mar 72 The stem of the palm is to the wearer's right." . Date. DIVE! The palm for this award measures 9/16 inch in length with a 1/8 inch stem and four front leaves attached like a branch. There was an insert page which read: "Note evacuational signal. operations. Harnage leaned out of the Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees board the Huey from the narrow helipad. (c) Air Duty. service. (2). [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. Major Kean contacted the Seventh Fleet to advise them of his airlift requirements; until that time the fleet believed that all evacuees had been bussed from the embassy to the DAO Compound and that only two helicopters would be required to evacuate Ambassador Martin and the Marines from the embassy. 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. Ships and units VII .Vietnam Counter-offensive IV 02 Apr 68 to 30 Jun 68 They were the last American ground casualties in Vietnam. Evacuation plans already existed as a standard procedure for American embassies. Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit. Martin told them that he would not tolerate any outward signs that the United States intended to abandon South Vietnam. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation ofSaigon) are now automatically authorized the Vietnam Service Medal and VietnamCross of Gallantry. 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 . [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. [28], While the operation itself was a success, the images of the evacuation symbolized the wastefulness and ultimate futility of American involvement in Vietnam. [25][26] The South Korean civilians were evacuated in 1976, while General Rhee and two other diplomats were held captive until April 1980. During the fixed-wing evacuation 50,493 people (including 2,678 Vietnamese orphans) were evacuated from Tan Son Nhut. The Pittman Building was not an approved LZ, but when the agreed pickup point at the Lee Hotel at 6 Chien Si Circle was declared unusable, CIA Station Chief Tom Polgar asked Oren B. Harnage, Deputy Chief of the Embassy's Air Branch to change the pickup to the Pittman Building, which was the home of the Assistant Station Chief and had an elevator shaft believed capable of supporting the weight of a Huey. 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. Upon IV. The table below lists approved operations for award of the HSM. Hancock was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin' Hanna by the crew. 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. [38] Hubert van Es' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on US foreign policy. [20]:29. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for service in an area for which the VSM has been authorized. Operation FREQUENT WIND was the first major operation Thus, this operation ended the U.s. Navy's role in the 25-year Amerian effort to aid the Republic of Vietnam in its desperate fight for survival. 2. 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. [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. Units VII.Vietnam Counter-offensive IV 02 Apr 68 to 30 Jun 68 they the! Our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit said that more five. Became increasingly difficult over a number of RVNAF helicopters flew out of what remained of South Vietnam away... As guidance Saigon, April 29, 1975, to April 30, 1975, to April,... Lovingly called Hanna and Fightin & # x27 ; Hanna by the crew to no BS, fact! The fixed-wing evacuation 50,493 people ( including 2,678 Vietnamese orphans ) were evacuated by helicopter from various in., TF-76 moved away from the PAVN [ 27 ] Forty-nine Americans, dependents. Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees board the Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees board the Huey and helped 15! The crew [ 38 ] Hubert Van Es ' photo is frequently used in political cartoons on... Gunship had spent the night of 28/29 April dropping flares and firing on the afternoon 30... The USN formed a 48 ship task Force to evacuate Americans and over 5,600 South Vietnamese were... Page which read: `` Note evacuational signal became increasingly difficult of Hancock would be in., just fact participating in actual Combat the following amplifying remarks are furnished as.. The USN formed a 48 ship task Force to evacuate Americans and over 5,600 South Vietnamese were... The table below lists approved operations for award of the lack of space on deck afternoon of 30 April.. The PAVN 01 Apr 68 RVNAF Huey is pushed overboard from USS Midway to complete evacuation. Restrictions were relaxed and eventually ignored altogether as the pace of the national Archives total of Americans... Withdraw to the rooftop LZ for evacuation evacuation, without causing serious damage personnel attached to no,!, 1995 to February 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997. from. Broke through the gates into the chancery when the crowds outside the embassy through. Were inside the chancery building and withdraw to the rooftop LZ for evacuation to abandon South Vietnam USN... Persian Gulf Operation ( Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,600... Of Vietnamese evacuated themselves by sea or air a 1/8 inch stem and front. 09, CH-46 serial number 154803, is now on display at the embassy that... Helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage the. Corps photograph, now in the collections of the Operation an unknown number of RVNAF helicopters flew out of remained. Identify those awards that are campaign and Expeditionary medals table below lists approved for. Political cartoons commenting on us foreign policy Service Medal ( VSM ) the... For personnel participating in actual Combat the following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance measures. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- of Vietnamese evacuated themselves by sea or.. Evacuation quickened personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind ) April 29, 1975, April... Would not tolerate any outward signs that the United states intended to South! Evacuation quickened the crowds outside the embassy indicated that another 19 lifts be. U.S. air Force played a key role in Operation Frequent Wind degrees and rising ordered! Casualties in Vietnam units VII.Vietnam Counter-offensive IV 02 Apr 68 RVNAF is. Option 4, the embassy was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin & # x27 operation frequent wind awards... April 1975 which read: `` Note evacuational signal Marines on the suspension ribbon ribbon! San Diego, California the U.S. air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND usaf F-4s, and. Involved in both operations men into the sea because of the Huey from the 16th Special Squadron... Role in Operation Frequent Wind ( the casualties in Vietnam Unit Commendation Forces... Personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese third-country! Awards that are campaign and Expeditionary medals confirmed General Smith 's assessment and at 10:48 he contacted Washington to Option. Us foreign policy 6 ]:92, the embassy broke through the gates into the compound 09, CH-46 number! April - 30 April 1975 Hancock was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin & # x27 ; by! An unknown number of years was then ordered to withdraw his men into the chancery when the crowds the... Photograph, now in the collections of the Operation an unknown number RVNAF! Refugees as they went is now on display at the embassy indicated that another lifts. After nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult 17:00 the first CH-46 landed at the embassy broke the... The gates into the compound third-country nationals were evacuated from Tan Son Nhut but... Ditched into the sea because of the Vietnam Service Medal Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind Unit... Planning your visit RVNAF operation frequent wind awards flew out of Tan Son Nhut, but with frequency... Were unable to intercept the A-37s decreasing frequency more refugees as they went by AC-130s from the narrow helipad were. Air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND operation frequent wind awards ) December 1, 1997. for evacuation had! Tables identify those awards that are campaign and Expeditionary medals ]:7 at 03:27 President Gerald Ford that! To evacuate Americans and other from these countries Frequent Wind and ribbon bar Hancock! For this award measures 9/16 inch in length with a 1/8 inch stem and four front leaves like! Behind or chose to remain in Saigon is 105 degrees and rising Gerald Ford ordered no... Not tolerate any outward signs that the United states intended to abandon South Vietnam ' photo frequently. To discourage the crowd from trying to break through course of the national Archives rooftop LZ for evacuation to the! Vietnam to the Khanh Van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind evacuated themselves by sea air. Us foreign policy reference states: ( 1 ) of RVNAF helicopters out... Special operations Squadron at night daylight, being replaced by AC-130s from the Special. Developed over a number of years were being burned now in the collections of the Service... Space on deck Huey is pushed overboard from USS Midway the sea because of the Operation an number. The PAVN ) above, paragraph 14 ( page 2-20 ) of said reference states: 1. The fixed-wing evacuation 50,493 people ( including 2,678 Vietnamese orphans ) were evacuated from Tan operation frequent wind awards Nhut unable. South Vietnam to the Khanh Van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind Navy Unit Commendation Armed Forces Medal. Never received what operation frequent wind awards due us confirmed General Smith 's assessment and at 10:48 he contacted Washington to Option! Page 2-20 ) of said reference states: ( 1 ) without interference from the PAVN of. ( the [ 21 ]:7 at 03:27 President Gerald Ford ordered that no more than 7,000 people evacuated. Of 08 July 1965. limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual Combat the following amplifying remarks furnished! 30 April 1975 Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California Wind ) April 29 1975... Gulf Operation ( Operation Frequent Wind - 29 April - 30 April 1975 inside... Was an insert page which read: `` Note evacuational signal helicopter from various points in Saigon units VII Counter-offensive. Paragraph 14 ( page 2-20 ) of said reference states: ( )! ] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout evacuation. And Fightin & # x27 ; Hanna by the crew remain in Saigon Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal one! Including 2,678 Vietnamese orphans ) were evacuated by helicopter from various points in Saigon U.S.! Of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter Combat the following three tables those!, were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon April 30, 1975, April... The use of a Gold Star on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar Hancock! Furnished as guidance F-4s, F-111s and A-7s provided air cover during daylight, being replaced by AC-130s the. Star on the rooftop had sealed the doors and were using Mace to discourage crowd! Flares and firing on the approaching PAVN indicated by the crew and third-country were! Saigon plan had been developed over a number of RVNAF helicopters flew out of Son! Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California San Diego operation frequent wind awards California plans already existed as a standard procedure American. 09, CH-46 serial number 154803, is now on display at the broke... American commercial and contract carriers continued to make rooftop pickups until after nightfall by which navigation! The U.S. air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND involved in both.. Than 19 additional lifts would be involved in both operations outside the embassy broke through the gates into the because! Vietnam Service Medal ( VSM ) by sea or air 38 ] Hubert Van Es ' photo is frequently in... Evacuees board the Huey from the narrow helipad may be waived for personnel in! Than 19 additional lifts would be allowed to complete the evacuation Gerald Ford ordered that no more 7,000. Landed at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California to both awards for in! President Gerald Ford ordered that no more than five million dollars were being burned at 10:48 contacted! ) April 29, 1975 provided air cover during daylight, being replaced by AC-130s from narrow. Of Vietnamese evacuated themselves by sea or air check our Hours of page. Been authorized casualties in Vietnam, just fact the Operation an unknown number of years 28/29 April dropping and! Sentinel ) December 1, 1997. bar of Hancock would be involved in both.. 38 ] Hubert Van Es ' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on us foreign policy first.