1975 The Evacuation

1975

"EAGLE PULL"

"Frequent Wind"

The end of an era.

When the NVA mounted a major offensive in late 1974 and into 1975, the RVNAF were unable to resist the onslaught. Inexorably, cities and provinces fell to the enemy. By April 1975 it was clear that the collapse of South Vietnam was nigh; and a contingency plan codenamed 'Frequent Wind' (formerly 'Talon Vise') was implemented for the evacuation of the remaining US staff in Saigon and selected South Vietnamese personnel. A fleet of four carriers, two with their normal complement of aircraft and two configured for helicopters, and support ships with 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade was hastily assembled and arrived off the coast of South Vietnam on 20 April. The Marine helicopters comprised thirty-four CH-53's of HMH-462 and -463, twenty-seven CH-46s of HMM-165, six UH-1E’s of HML-367 and eight AH-1J’s of HMA- 369, augmented by six CH-53’s of the 2ISt Special Operations Squadron and two ARRS HH-53’s of the US Air Force.

After considerable political prevarication, Operation 'Frequent Wind' got underway on the afternoon of 29 April with the insertion of a Marine security force to guard the principal extraction site at the Defense Attaché’s Office (DAO) compound, adjacent to Tan Son Nhut airfield. The evacuation proceeded smoothly, although not without incident, as frantic refugees clambered aboard the helicopters.

By 2100 hours the evacuation was complete at the DAO compound, and after the complex (including millions of dollars in currency) had been destroyed with explosives, the last two CH-53S lifted off at 0012 on 30

April. Meanwhile, amid the fires of downtown Saigon, the evacuation of the US Embassy proceeded more slowly, compromised by having only two landing pads: one on the roof, and only one large. enough for a CH-53 in the car park, which was illuminated by a slide projector. With the weather deteriorating and increasing anti-aircraft fire from both the enemy and disgruntled ARVN troops, each flight became more hazardous; yet still the stream of refugees seemed endless. Eventually, by presidential order, only Americans were to be transported. At 0458 the ambassador and his key staff took off aboard an HMM-165 CH-46, 'Lacey Ace 09'. Only the Marines guarding the perimeter of the embassy remained. After sealing and barring the building, they climbed the stairwell to the rooftop helicopter pad to board several CH-46s, the last being 'Swift 22'which lifted off at 0753. The night of the helicopters' was over, and with it, the helicopter war. (Vietnam Choppers, Helicopters in Battle 1950-1975, Simon Dunstan, Osprey 1988.)

South Vietnamese refugees are ushered from a CH-53D aboard the USS Hancock. Helicopter operations continued until 0835 on 30 April. During the day forty-eight VNAF Hueys, three CH-47s and an 0-1 Bird Dog flew out to the carrier fleet and were landed safely, many having to be jettisoned overboard immediately to make room for others. At 2114 On 29 April, a CH-46 of HMM-365 crashed into the sea while returning to the USS Hancock; two crewmen were saved, but the pilot and co- pilot were lost, the last US casualties of the Vietnam War. (USMC)

Here is a map section showing the "downtown" area of Saigon with the American Embassy circled. Map Courtesy of Steve Hornberger

Click on thumbnail for full version

Hit Counter

Brad Ryti bryti@scarface-usmc.org .

SEMPER FI