Only personnel attached to At the beginning of March, fixed-wing aircraft began evacuating civilians from Tan Son Nhat Airport through neighboring countries. April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation Frequent Wind, one of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval history. [18] Disgruntled ARVN troops repeatedly hit American helicopters with small arms fire throughout the evacuation, without causing serious damage. 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. Some 400 evacuees were left behind at the embassy including over 100 South Korean citizens; among them was Brigadier General Dai Yong Rhee, the intelligence chief at the South Korean Embassy in Saigon. In any case this effectively marked the end of the commercial airlift from Tan Son Nhut. application, any such member may elect the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) in lieu of the 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. Perdue presented the medals to Petrazewsky for his heroics during Operation Frequent Wind in Vietnam in 1975. . At this time, the embassy indicated that another 19 lifts would complete the evacuation. space thereof, between 4 July 1965 and 28 March 1973, and [6]:44 Finally, on 19 April, a simple procedure was implemented that cleared up the paperwork jam and the number of evacuees dramatically increased. Vietnam Defense Campaign 08 Mar 65 to 24 Dec 65 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. These altitudes were also high enough to avoid small arms and artillery fire. The operation ended at 0900 on April 30, and by noon that day, Communist flags waved over Saigon's Presidential Palace. Letter, Dept of the Navy, Office of the Secretary, SUBJECT: Guidance to Administer the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR) IAW Public Law 106-65, dated 13 march 2000, (b). (check below for additional Republic of Vietnam unit awards). [34] The USS Midway is a museum ship in San Diego. Click on the units you served with to see eligibility for U.S. issued unit action awards She began her deployment heading West and . of service between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965, inclusive, in an [10]:191 At about 17:30 General Carey ordered the extraction of 3rd Platoon, Company C of BLT 1/9, which had been landed at the DAO Compound on 25 April to assist the Marine Security Guard. 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. 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. . 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. Subsequent awards will be indicated by the use of a Gold Star on the ribbon: (1). Vietnam Counter-offensive VI 02 Nov 68 to 22 Feb 69 [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. [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. Aircraft flying air cover for the evacuation reported being tracked with surface to air radar in the vicinity of Bin Ha Air Base (which had fallen to the PAVN on 25 April), but there were no missile launches. There was an insert page which read: "Note evacuational signal. [6]:67 Also on 25 April the Federal Aviation Administration banned commercial flights into South Vietnam. (3) Eligible Ships and Units. [3]:86, The two major evacuation points chosen for Operation Frequent Wind were the DAO Compound next to Tan Son Nhut Airport for American and Vietnamese civilian evacuees, and the U.S. Embassy, Saigon for embassy staff. Helicopters began to clog ship decks and eventually, some were pushed overboard to allow others to land. limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat [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. Normal performance of duty or in a large number of combat missions does not in itself justify the award. Description. authorized, shall remain qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM). (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. 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. These medals are not a basis for preference and include the following: . XVI . [6]:122 Marine pilots accumulated 1,054 flight hours and flew 682 sorties throughout Operation Frequent Wind. This will be followed by the playing of I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas. 11231 of 8 July 1965. b. Vietnam Service Medal Eligibility Requirements. Two LZs were now available in the embassy compound, the rooftop for UH-1s and CH-46s and the new parking lot LZ for the heavier CH-53s. [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. 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. A South Vietnamese pilot lands his Huey helicopter on the deck of USS Hancock (CV-19). Harnage leaned out of the Huey and helped approximately 15 evacuees board the Huey from the narrow helipad. [6]:34 American commercial and contract carriers continued to fly out of Tan Son Nhut, but with decreasing frequency. Her belongings will be tagged with the same number due to the language barrier between the refugees and Marines. authorized. Shown: A Vietnamese woman, carrying her son, is given a numbered tag as she arrives onboard USS Hancock (CV-19). ships or units, and who actually participated in the given [21]:7, Major Kean returned to the ground floor of the chancery and ordered his men to withdraw into a large semicircle at the main entrance to the chancery. [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. All planning would have to be conducted with the utmost discretion. [10]:179181, It was not known whether the PAVN and/or the ARVN would try to disrupt the evacuation and so the planners had to take all possible contingencies into account to ensure the safety and success of the evacuation. DIVE! 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). A 3/16 inch bronze star is [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. 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]. 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. [10]:200 At 04:30 with the 19 lift limit already exceeded, Major Kean went to the rooftop LZ and spoke over a helicopter radio with General Carey who advised that President Ford had ordered that the airlift be limited to US personnel. [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. military operations. operation, are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). Please rescue me. (c). echelons, transients, observers, and personnel assigned for It is so sad that so many of use never received what was due us.. Operation FREQUENT WIND (Evacuation of Saigon), 29 and 30 April 1975 (Note: Other Operations do not pertain to the Vietnam Era) Vietnam Service Medal (c) Members qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), by reason [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. Evacuation plans already existed as a standard procedure for American embassies. The RVNAF pilots had been instructed after dropping off their passengers to ditch their helicopters and they would then be picked up by one of the ship's tenders. 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. XV . Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible. However, no person shall be entitled to [6]:91 During their approach to the compound, Carey and Gray got a firsthand view of the PAVN's firepower as they shelled nearby Tan Son Nhut Airport with ground, rocket, and artillery fire. Operation Frequent Wind ship disposition 1975 - Recreated map.svg. 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. stipulates that personnel who were awarded the Armed Forces Expeditioanry Medal (AFEM) for their The Military Departments are . Do not disclose to other personnel. Ships and units [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. [14]:28, From 10:00 to 12:00 Major Kean and his Marines cut down the tamarind and other trees and moved vehicles to create an LZ in the embassy parking lot behind the chancery building. Most of the Marines were inside the chancery when the crowds outside the embassy broke through the gates into the compound. 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. 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). 2 Per reference (b) above, paragraph 14 (Page 2-20) of said reference states: (1). 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. VIII. [6]:111 However, one USAF report states that an F-4C Wild Weasel and an F-4D of the 388th Fighter Wing, was patrolling between Tan Son Nhut and Bien Hoa about 16:00 when the Wild Weasel detected SAM radar emissions to the north. 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. 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. Sanctuary Counter-offensive 01 May 70 to 30 Jun 70 This includes personnel attached to a squadron or unit embarked in a ship during the eligible for the medal. 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. [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. Major Kean was then ordered to withdraw his men into the chancery building and withdraw to the rooftop LZ for evacuation. Consolidation I1 01 Dec 71 to 29 Mar 72 (2) Personnel Eligible. Many pilots fled to Hancock, seeking refuge for themselves, family and friends during the evacuation. The medal shall be ,awarded only [3] The evacuation took place primarily from the Defense Attach Office compound, beginning around 14:00 on the afternoon of 29 April, and ending that night with only limited small arms damage to the helicopters. Consolidation I 01 Jul 71 to 30 Nov 71 Frequent Wind 29-Apr-1975 30-Apr-1975 Vietnam Guatemala Earthquake Disaster . [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. With the collapse of South Vietnam, numerous boats and ships, Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) helicopters and some fixed-wing aircraft sailed or flew out to the evacuation fleet. b. The Operations were called "Eagle Pull" and "Frequent Wind". 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. The following three tables identify those awards that are campaign and expeditionary medals. This directive was subsequently reversed; some operators had ignored it anyway. [21]:67 From the billowing incinerator on the embassy roof floated intelligence documents and US currency, most charred; some not. Operation FREQUENT WIND - 29 April - 30 April 1975. When the evacuation is ordered, the code will be read out on Armed Forces Radio. Attached to or regularly The staff of 9th MAB prescribed altitudes, routes, and checkpoints for flight safety for the operation. Vietnam Counter-offensive I1 01 Jul 66 to 31 May 67 [20]:29. [6]:103 At 00:30 on 30 April, thermite grenades, having been previously placed in selected buildings, ignited as two CH-53s left the DAO parking lot carrying the last elements of BLT 2/4. Many medals are awarded for non-combat operations. During the course of the operation an unknown number of RVNAF helicopters flew out of what remained of South Vietnam to the fleet. The code is: The temperature in Saigon is 105 degrees and rising. Hancock would be involved in both operations. It was carried out on 29-30 April 1975, during the last days of the Vietnam War. (a) Shore Duty. The service medal was awarded to all members of the armed forces who served in Vietnam and contiguous waters and airspace between 01 July 1958 and 28 March 1973. (e). The booklet included a map of Saigon pinpointing "assembly areas where a helicopter will pick you 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). All Air America flights had ceased by 21:00. 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. [38] Hubert van Es' photo is frequently used in political cartoons commenting on US foreign policy. [4], Evacuation plans are standard for American embassies. 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. I now have metastatic prostrate cancer with no family history and have been told to file a claim with the VA for disability. [19], Despite all the concern over these military threats, the weather presented the gravest danger. [2]:92. 45 years ago, the USS Midway was part of the largest humanitarian effort in naval history, a proud and patriotic accomplishment that will forever be ingrained in our history. Date. Service for 30 [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. The command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) was located approximately 28 km from Vung Tau, Vietnam, at 1500 hrs on 29 April 1975. Company G occupied the eastern section of the Annex, while Company H assumed control of the western section. Lady Ace 09, CH-46 serial number 154803, is now on display at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum in San Diego, California. 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. [10]:201 CH-46F Swift 1-4 of HMM-164 from USS Hancock flown by Captain William C. Nystul[31] and First Lieutenant Michael J. Shea[32] crashed into the sea on its approach to the ship after having flown a night sea and air rescue mission. 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. Such certification XII. We also conducted a brief search of the catalog using the terms Operation Frequent Wind, Operation Eagle Pull, and Agent Orange. Hugh van Es believed that Miss Saigon misappropriated his photo and considered legal action against the show, but decided against it. Squadrons or units embarked in a ship, Sporadic gunfire from around the embassy passed over the rooftop. 127-GVB-279-A150966: Operation Frequent Wind, April 29, 1975. Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for Vietnam. 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. [14]:63, After the evacuation signal was given, the buses began to pick up passengers and head to the DAO Compound. On that final day, USAF aircraft flew a total of 1,422 sorties over Saigon. [10]:199 At that time Major Kean estimated that there were still some 850 non-American evacuees and 225 Americans (including the Marines), and Ambassador Martin told Major Kean to do the best he could. The U.S. Air Force played a key role in Operation FRE-QUENTWIND. 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. It has often been misidentified as the US Embassy. [10]:198, By 02:15 on 30 April one CH-46 and one CH-53 were landing at the embassy every 10 minutes. The following amplifying remarks are furnished as guidance. [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. Air America helicopters continued to make rooftop pickups until after nightfall by which time navigation became increasingly difficult. In April 1975, Okinawa participated in Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam. significant contribution by an individual. [21]:8. and 28 March 1973, in the area defined under the Armed Forces As they approached the helicopters had taken rifle and M-79 grenade fire from ARVN troops but without causing any apparent damage. 111. VI . [36][37] The building in the photo was the Pittman Apartment building at 22 Gia Long Street (now 22 L T Trng Street), which was used as a residence by various embassy, CIA, and USAID employees. [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. All personnel who participated in Operation Frequent Wind (the. Southeast Asia, from 1 March 1961 to 15 August 1973, (5). Operation Firebreak 5-Sep-1987 15-Sep-1987 United States Operation Pocket Planner (Note 1) 1-Nov-1987 1-Nov-1987 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. Authorization. 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. [20]:2425 A stolen Air America Bell 204 landed on Kirk, from where US Navy pilots flew it to Okinawa. It immediately turned toward the threatening radar and fifteen to twenty anti-aircraft weapons opened up on it and the F-4D. short periods or TAD and training duty are normally not eligible ), 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 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. Major Buang, Wife and 5 child." In addition, Air America helicopters and RVNAF aircraft brought additional evacuees to the TF76 ships. 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. An embassy official said that more than five million dollars were being burned. (a) Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces But these restrictions were relaxed and eventually ignored altogether as the pace of the evacuation quickened. [30], For an operation of the size and complexity of Frequent Wind, casualties were relatively light. Issued unit action awards She began her deployment heading West and gunfire around! The deck of USS Hancock ( CV-19 ) Wind 29-Apr-1975 30-Apr-1975 Vietnam Guatemala Earthquake.... 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