This includes personnel attached to a squadron or unit embarked in a ship during the "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. (b) Sea Duty. Personnel assigned to areas subjected to sustained mortar, missile, and artillery attacks actively participate in retaliatory or offensive actions are eligible. The table below lists approved operations for award of the HSM. [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. operation, are eligible for the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). eligible for the medal. A South Vietnamese C-130 aircraft, trying to take off was hit by enemy SA-7 rockets and burns on the runway during the evacuation exercises in Saigon. [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. 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. Personnel eligible for the award of the Purple Heart WOULD NOT necessarily qualify for the CAR. The pilot of the stolen ICCS Huey had been told to ditch off the port quarter of the ship, but seemed reluctant to do so, flying around the ship to the starboard bow he jumped from his helicopter at a height of 40 feet (12m). area for which the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) was subsequently [6]:24 On 4 April, a C-5A aircraft carrying 250 Vietnamese orphans and their escorts suffered explosive decompression over the sea near Vng Tu and made a crash-landing while attempting to return to Tan Son Nhut; 153 people on board died in the crash. [10]:197, 9th MAB intelligence photo of the DAO Compound with LZs marked, 9th MAB post-operation map of the DAO Compound and Air America Compound with LZs marked, A Marine provides security as helicopters land at the DAO Compound, Vietnamese evacuees board a CH-53 at LZ 39, Aerial reconnaissance photos of the destroyed DAO Headquarters building with Air America Compound in the foreground, On 25 April, 40 Marines from the 9th MAB on USS Hancock were flown in by Air America helicopters in civilian clothes to the DAO compound to augment the 18 Marine Security Guards assigned to defend the embassy; an additional six Marines were assigned to protect Ambassador Martin. The Military Departments are . [4], Evacuation plans are standard for American embassies. Scroll down to commemorate this event. [1][2]:14. The evacuation of personnel from the DAO compound had lasted nine hours and involved over 50 Marine Corps and Air Force helicopters. [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. C-130 flights were stopped temporarily after the air attack but resumed at 20:00 on 28 April. 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. [27] Forty-nine Americans, including dependents, were also left behind or chose to remain in Saigon. An individual whose eligibility has been established in combat in any of the following listed operations, is authorized the award of the CAR. Common questions about the Combat Action Ribbon and who rates it: (a). 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. 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. Tens of thousands of Vietnamese evacuated themselves by sea or air. Writer Claude-Michel Schnberg has acknowledged that the musical was inspired by pictures of the evacuation. Shipmates would fight for that ship. [10]:182 This was the last USAF fixed-wing aircraft to leave Tan Son Nhut. The curtain of haze over Saigon so altered the diminished daylight that line of sight visibility was only a mile. Perdue presented the medals to Petrazewsky for his heroics during Operation Frequent Wind in Vietnam in 1975. . Squadrons or units embarked in a ship, approved. [28], While the operation itself was a success, the images of the evacuation symbolized the wastefulness and ultimate futility of American involvement in Vietnam. Service for 30 a. But these restrictions were relaxed and eventually ignored altogether as the pace of the evacuation quickened. However, no person shall be entitled to both awards for service in an area for which the VSM has been authorized. All planning would have to be conducted with the utmost discretion. Many of the Vietnamese evacuees were allowed to enter the United States under the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act. April 30, 1975 marks the date of Operation Frequent Wind, one of the largest humanitarian rescues in naval history. A second Cessna O-1 was also recovered by USS Midway that afternoon. [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. [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. Vietnam, Summer-Fall 1969 09 Jun 69 to 31 Oct 69 The tail rotor sheared off and embedded itself in the engine of an Air America Bell 205 that was doing a hot refueling on the helipad at the rear of the ship. 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. 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. [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. 111. Guide to the Khanh Van Thi Nguyen Narrative on Operation Frequent Wind. Operations. Vietnam, Winter-Spring 1970 01 Nov 69 to 30 Apr 70 Personnel in riverine and coastal operations, assaults, patrols, sweeps, ambushes, convoys, amphibious landings, and similar activities who have participated in fire fights are eligible. Click on unit logos above for eligibility. 2. Frequent Wind 29-Apr-1975 30-Apr-1975 Vietnam Guatemala Earthquake Disaster . (a) Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces Major Kean saw Ambassador Martin to request that he contact the Oval Office to ensure that the airlift continued. The fixed-wing evacuation was terminated and Operation Frequent Wind began. Such certification one award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). Sanctuary Counter-offensive 01 May 70 to 30 Jun 70 (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. Her belongings will be tagged with the same number due to the language barrier between the refugees and Marines. [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. authorized for wear on the suspension ribbon and ribbon bar of Sporadic gunfire from around the embassy passed over the rooftop. Note: (5) Named Campaigns are denoted by a 3/16 silver service star. 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. When the evacuation is ordered, the code will be read out on Armed Forces Radio. (Operation Frequent Wind) April 29, 1975 to April, 30 1975 Vietnam (including Thailand) July 1, 1958 to July 3, 1965 . 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. [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. We also conducted a brief search of the catalog using the terms Operation Frequent Wind, Operation Eagle Pull, and Agent Orange. Do not disclose to other personnel. [5] The Saigon plan had been developed over a number of years. supporting military operations. A. By mid-April, contingency plans were in place and preparations were underway for a possible helicopter evacuation. 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. 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]: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. and 28 March 1973, in the area defined under the Armed Forces [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. period for which that ship is eligible. service in Vietnam, and no person shall be entitled to more than military operations. 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. Major Buang, Wife and 5 child." Strategic Air Command KC-135 tankers provided air-to-air refueling. Click on red bar for more info. 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