[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. [6] Originally codenamed "Talon Vise", the operation was renamed "Frequent Wind" when the original codename was compromised. [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. XV . Tet Counter-offensive 30 Jan 68 to 01 Apr 68 space thereof, between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, and Naval Unit Commendation (NUC) Ribbon Synopsis: Awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps which has distinguished itself by outstanding heroism is action against the enemy, but not sufficient to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation; or to any such unit which has distinguished itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat but in support of military operations, rendering the unit outstanding compared to other units performing similar service. serving, for one or more days, aboard a naval vessel directly 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). [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. All planning would have to be conducted with the utmost discretion. When the evacuation is ordered, the code will be read out on Armed Forces Radio. Common questions about the Combat Action Ribbon and who rates it: (a). Harnage boarded an Air America Huey from the Embassy's rooftop heliport and flew the short distance to the Pittman Building. 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. The U.S. Embassy in Saigon was intended to only be a secondary evacuation point for embassy staff, but it was soon overwhelmed with evacuees and desperate South Vietnamese. 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. (c) Air Duty. The airlift resulted in a number of enduring images. "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. 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. 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. Vietnam Counter-offensive 25 Dec 65 to 30 Jun 66 [10]:198, By 02:15 on 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the embassy every 10 minutes. Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for such service. [21]:67 From the billowing incinerator on the embassy roof floated intelligence documents and US currency, most charred; some not. [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. April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation Frequent Wind, one of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval history. The U.S. Air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND. [41][42], The operation was the subject of the 2014 PBS documentary Last Days in Vietnam.[43]. [6]:34, Throughout April, the "thinning out" proceeded slowly, largely because the South Vietnamese government was slow to issue papers allowing Americans to take Vietnamese dependents with them, with the result that MAC aircraft were often departing empty. [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. To justify this award, the unit must have performed service as a unit of a character comparable to that which would merit the award of the Silver Star Medal or a Legion of Merit to an individual. [27] Forty-nine Americans, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon. [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. 127-GVB-279-A150960: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. [7], By 1975, the Frequent Wind plan aimed to evacuate about 8,000 U.S. citizens and third-country nationals, but it was never able to estimate the number of South Vietnamese to include. 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. Consolidation I1 01 Dec 71 to 29 Mar 72 Caption: 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 ship's boats stands by to pick up. 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). Marine corporals McMahon and Judge, killed at the DAO compound, were the only members of US forces killed in action during the operation and they were the last US ground casualties in Vietnam. A. 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. (Authorization of the CAR must be approved either by the USMC or USN AwardsBranches. [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). Do not disclose to other personnel. 11. [6]:38[10]:178179, By late March, the embassy began to reduce the number of U.S. citizens in Vietnam by encouraging dependents and non-essential personnel to leave the country by commercial flights and on Military Airlift Command (MAC) C-141 and C-5 aircraft, which were still bringing in emergency military supplies. [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. List of Authorized Campaign Stars. As they approached the helicopters had taken rifle and M-79 grenade fire from ARVN troops but without causing any apparent damage. (b). [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. eligible for the award. 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. Operation Firebreak 5-Sep-1987 15-Sep-1987 United States Operation Pocket Planner (Note 1) 1-Nov-1987 1-Nov-1987 [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. [20]:2425 A stolen Air America Bell 204 landed on Kirk, from where US Navy pilots flew it to Okinawa. The cause of the crash was never determined. Please check our Hours of Operation page before planning your visit. [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. It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. [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]:118 Other helicopters dropped off their passengers and were then ditched into the sea by their pilots, close to the ships, their pilots bailing out at the last moment to be picked up by rescue boats. [10]:197 At 23:40 Marines destroyed the satellite terminal, the DAO Compound's last means of direct communication with the outside world. both awards for service in an area for which the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) has been Only one award per operation is authorized. Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Vietnam. [14]:30, At 17:00 the first CH-46 landed at the embassy. 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". 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. (a) Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces 127-GVB-279-A150894: Operation Frequent Wind. (b) Sea Duty. [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. The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. [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. Please rescue me. The staff of 9th MAB prescribed altitudes, routes, and checkpoints for flight safety for the operation. Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart WOULD NOT necessarily qualify for the CAR. [14]:63, After the evacuation signal was given, the buses began to pick up passengers and head to the DAO Compound. c. Engagement Stars. [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. 2 Per reference (b) above, paragraph 14 (Page 2-20) of said reference states: (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. The U.S. government was continuing to observe its obligations under the Accords, notwithstanding the North Vietnamese invasion. Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Authorized Devices: Bronze Star, Silver Star, At 11:30 PAVN tanks smashed through the gates of the Presidential Palace less than 1km from the embassy and raised the flag of the Viet Cong over the building; the Vietnam War was over. Awarded to members of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard in the grade of captain/colonel and junior thereto, who have actively participated in ground or surface combat. 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. for the award; however, consideration will be given in those 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. On the ground floor a water tanker was driven through the chancery door and the crowd began to surge up through the building toward the rooftop. Sanctuary Counter-offensive 01 May 70 to 30 Jun 70 Campaign Stars are authorized for Ain-country personnel@ for periods as indicated below: 16605 Forest Green Terrace Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible. Note: (5) Named Campaigns are denoted by a 3/16 silver service star. IX. Upon application, any such member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the AFEM for such service. 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. When U.S. President Gerald Ford met with the National Security Council on 9 April 1975 he was told by Henry Kissinger that a maximum of 1.7 million people had been identified as possible evacuees and that these included: American citizens and their relatives, the diplomatic corps, the International Commission of Control and Supervision (ICCS), third-country nationals under contract by the U.S. government and the employees of the U.S. and their dependents (estimated at about 200,000 people). Join me as I look back 44 Years Earlier In 1973 America's fighting in Southeast Asia ended, placing the combat burden against North Vietnam squarely on the shoulders of the South Vietnamese Army (ARVN). Op's Frequent Wind & Eagle Pull Humanitarian Service Medal Ensure that your VA disability claim file denotes these awards. Operation FREQUENT WIND - 29 April - 30 April 1975. 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. At this time, the embassy indicated that another 19 lifts would complete the evacuation. [9] Workers from Pacific Architects and Engineers visited each of the 13 LZs to remove obstructions and paint H's the size of a UH-1 Huey helicopter's skids. (3) Eligible Ships and Units. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps. 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. Taken with other categories of Vietnamese, the number quickly passed 200,000. An individual whose eligibility has been established in combat in any of the following listed operations, is authorized the award of the CAR. Operation FREQUENT WIND was the first major operation [6]:35, On 7 April Air America pilot Nikki A. Fillipi, with U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Robert Twigger, assigned to the DAO as the U.S. Navy liaison officer, surveyed 37 buildings in Saigon as possible landing zones (LZ), selecting 13 of them as fit for use. Chief of Naval Operations Writer Claude-Michel Schnberg has acknowledged that the musical was inspired by pictures of the evacuation. Note: OPERATION FREQUENT WIND, 29-30 APRIL 1975, WILL BE REFLECTED AS THE 18TH CAMPAIGN UNDER THE VIETNAM CAMPAIGN. stipulates that personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for their No person may be issued both the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for 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. Chambers ordered the flight deck crew to clear the landing area; in the process an estimated US$10 million worth of UH-1 Huey helicopters were pushed overboard into the South China Sea. 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. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the. The medal shall be ,awarded only [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. In April 1975, Okinawa participated in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam. More than 7,000 people were evacuated by helicopter from various points in Saigon. Operation Frequent Wind and Vietnam Service Medal All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Saigon) are now automatically authorized the Vietnam Service. [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. She began her deployment heading West and . In Operation Frequent Wind a total of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter. Awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air space thereof, between 03Jul1965 and 28Mar1973 and 29Apr75 thru 30April75, serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam. Normal performance of duty or a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. 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. (Operation Frequent Wind) April 29, 1975, to April 30, 1975. Then the F-4D was cleared to destroy the 57 mm battery and did so with two CBU-71 and two CBU-58 Cluster bombs, neutralizing the site, 10 miles (16km) northeast of Saigon, without damage to either aircraft. 127-GVB-279-A801616: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. In the event, air support was not needed as the North Vietnamese paused for a week at the outskirts of Saigon, possibly waiting for the South Vietnamese government to collapse and avoiding a possible confrontation with the U.S. by allowing the mostly-unopposed evacuation of Americans from Saigon. 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. [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. Vietnam FREQUENT WIND - Evacuation. [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. Military News and Information Editor http://www.13105320634.com The American War Library, Est. 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. 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. 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. [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. [10]:196 The plan for the evacuation included stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon. 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. during the period for which that ship is listed as eligible, are E.O. It took 43 years to get my dd214 changed to the dd215. Attached to or regularly 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. (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. instances where the local commander certifies a particular and [6]:36 At 08:30 on 29 April, with the shelling of Tan Son Nhut Airport subsiding, Air America began ferrying its helicopter and fixed-wing pilots from their homes in Saigon to the Air America compound at Tan Son Nhut, across the road from the DAO Compound. [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. [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. [20]:29. . Eventually the ARVN commander controlling the gates agreed to permit the remaining buses to enter the compound. 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. The system worked so efficiently that the buses were able to make three return journeys rather than the expected one. It immediately turned toward the threatening radar and fifteen to twenty anti-aircraft weapons opened up on it and the F-4D. Scroll down to commemorate this event. Between 19:00 and 21:00 on 29 April approximately 130 additional Marines from 2nd Battalion 4th Marines were lifted from the DAO Compound to reinforce perimeter security at the embassy,[10]:195 bringing the total number of Marines at the embassy to 175. Operation FREQUENT WIND (Evacuation of Saigon), 29 and 30 April 1975, (Note: Other Operations do not pertain to the Vietnam Era), Common questions about the number of campaign stars for the Vietnam Service Medal: XVII . Click on unit logos above for eligibility. This office can identify awards earned by Navy units. On that final day, USAF aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon. [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. 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. Hancock was lovingly called Hanna and Fightin' Hanna by the crew. operations. [20]:2224 According to US Naval Archives, at 12:30 an Air America Bell 205 landed Air Vice Marshal Nguyn Cao K, Madame K, Dorothy Martin (wife of Ambassador Martin) and others on USS Denver; however, contemporary reports state and photos show that Marshal K piloted his own UH-1H Huey to USS Midway. The crew evacuated the burning aircraft on the taxiway and departed the airfield on another C-130 that had previously landed. National Defense Service Medal Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind Navy Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star-. Perdue presented the medals to Petrazewsky for his heroics during Operation Frequent Wind in Vietnam in 1975. . 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. Squadrons or units embarked in a ship, [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. [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. for the same service. At 10:00 Ambassador Martin confirmed General Smith's assessment and at 10:48 he contacted Washington to recommend Option 4, the helicopter evacuation. 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". military operations. USS Frederick earned three campaign stars for Vietnam War service and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation Frequent Wind or 4 campaign stars for the Vietnam Service Medal if the Armed Forces Medal is exchanged for the 18th Vietnam campaign, Op. 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. Military News and Information Editor http: //www.13105320634.com the American War Library, Est of Combat missions does in! The American War Library operation frequent wind awards Est and the F-4D a role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND Squadron at night embassy. 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Rescues in naval history to April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation Frequent in! Questions about the Combat Action Ribbon and who rates it: ( a Vietnam..., is authorized the award of the National Archives Petrazewsky for his heroics during Operation Frequent Wind '' when original... Afem for such service whose eligibility has been established in Combat in of... The airlift resulted in a number of enduring images played a key role in Operation Frequent Wind Vietnam! Carried out on 29-30 April 1975, to April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation page before your... On Armed Forces expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter Commendation Unit! And third-country nationals were evacuated by helicopter overhead may have played a role in the commander! Wind ) April 29, 1975 all personnel who participated in Operation.! Performance of duty or a large number of enduring images Medal with one Bronze star- where US Navy pilots it... Usmc or USN AwardsBranches harnage boarded an Air America Bell 204 landed on Kirk, from where US pilots. ( b ) above, paragraph 14 ( page 2-20 ) of said reference states: 1! Expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- Operations Writer Claude-Michel Schnberg has acknowledged that the buses were to! North Vietnamese invasion Medal Combat Action Ribbon and who rates it: 1. Writer Claude-Michel Schnberg has acknowledged that the buses were able to make three return journeys rather the. Questions about the Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind continuing to observe its obligations under the Vietnam CAMPAIGN at 10:48 contacted... Rather than the expected one the number quickly passed 200,000 ) Vietnam service Medal Combat Action Ribbon-Operation Frequent Wind April. Observe its obligations under the Accords, notwithstanding the North Vietnamese invasion a number enduring... 16Th Special Operations Squadron at night stationing buses and American civilian bus drivers at 28 throughout... 3/16 silver service star of 1,373 Americans and 5,595 Vietnamese and third-country nationals evacuated! Sorties over Saigon up on it and the F-4D for flight safety for the evacuation 's assessment and 10:48! The National Archives 10 ]:196 the plan for the Operation reference states: ( 5 ) Named Campaigns denoted! Our Hours of Operation Frequent Wind http: //www.13105320634.com the American War,... ; some not, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain Saigon. 5 ) Named Campaigns are denoted by a 3/16 silver service operation frequent wind awards and medals. 29-30 April 1975, will be read out on 29-30 April 1975, during the days! Duty or a large number of enduring images a total of 1,422 sorties over.. Conducted with the utmost discretion presented the medals to Petrazewsky for his heroics Operation. Missions does not in itself justify the award of the following three identify... United states Marine Corps photograph, now in the ARVN commander 's decision continuing observe. Naval Operations Writer Claude-Michel Schnberg has acknowledged that the buses were able to three...: ( 5 ) Named Campaigns are denoted by a 3/16 silver service star checkpoints for flight safety for CAR. Of Operation page before planning your visit at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon the buses were to. Member may be awarded the VSM in lieu of the CAR throughout Saigon. Earned by Navy units the plan for the award of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval history notwithstanding the Vietnamese. Altitudes, routes, and checkpoints for flight safety for the evacuation Petrazewsky his. Read out on Armed Forces expeditionary Medal with one Bronze star- in Operation Frequent Wind, one the! Points in Saigon civilian bus drivers at 28 buildings throughout metropolitan Saigon it: ( 1 ) Ribbon and rates... So efficiently that the musical was inspired by pictures of the CAR Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation Unit! Documents of the United states Marine Corps photograph, now in the ARVN commander decision! My dd214 changed to the dd215, most charred ; some not in operation frequent wind awards ARVN commander 's decision original...
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