Shocking Reason US Navy Sailors Pushed Helicopters Overboard

[@4629dt]

I'm a a South Vietnamese refugee. I was only 2 years old when this happened. My dad fought with American troops and became a POW for 10 years. We weren't lucky to leave here, but were lucky to escape in 1982 on a boat. I would love to see you do a story on Vietnamese boat people. In any case, thank you for making this.

[@JohnCampbell-sl5nx]

Sadly there should have been no need for any of the jingoistic or poignant comments on this subject, if the idiotic french colonialist had refrained from re colonising Vietnam after the allied forces had ended the Natzi's colonising of France. followed by the American's with there institutionalised phobia of communism, is Vietnam not a lovely and civilised place today without the presence of the French and US army ??

[@stephengoddard8702]

I live in Colorado, and I was attending Colorado State University in 1982. I made friends with several boat people at the University. I was impressed with how nice they were and how smart. They could barely speak English, but they would finish their calculus exams before anyone else and get a perfect score every time. Denver received a large influx of Vietnamese refugees during this period. In a short amount of time they became successful business owners. They have had a very positive impact on our community and have made this nation a better place.

[@marilson84]

@@JohnCampbell-sl5nx it is indeed. Vietnam is a marvellous country

[@WDON2010]

In 1978, while aboard USS Enterprise in the South China Sea, a boatload of Vietnamese refugees lit a fire on their boat to get our attention. We came alongside and rescued them all. They had been hit by pirates a few days earlier and had no food or water. They were desperate. We brought them aboard, gave them food and medical attention, then transferred them to another ship which too the to the Phillipine Islands. I've always wondered whatever became of those people. I hope and pray they survived and were able to enjoy the rest of their lives, wherever they ended up.

[@gregmcclelland3488]

I'm glad you made it out!

[@michaelcauser474]

I am 76 and I am not ashamed to tell you that you had me in tears for most of this video. Happy tears for those who managed to get away from Saigon, and mostly sad tears at the thought of those who did not manage to get out, and what would most likely have happened to them. Thank you for reminding us of just how evil life and people can sometimes be.

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for taking the time to post this comment. I will tell you that Courtney, the woman in the interview, did have an uncle that was left behind. I read he was imprisoned and tortured for years.

[@clive373]

The imperialists were the evil party in the Vietnam war. And the USA is still killing innocent children.

[@agnelodsa788]

USA got the shit kicked out of them in Vietnam.

[@herringbone5035]

It makes me proud of being an American.

[@KarenKremer-smith]

I had a brother that went to Vietnam in the 60’s. He just died in 2022. He received the Purple Heart and had to come home to have my mother heal him of his wounds both physically and emotionally. Being his little sister it was hard to accept and understand at the time why he did what he did. But now I do. He donated some organs after he died to help others. Love to all.

[@tn_bayouwulf2949]

I remember watching this event on the evening news when I was in high school and later reading about the SVNAF Major who landed with his family on the Midway's deck. Many years later, the O-1 aircraft was brought to the museum at the NAS, in my hometown of Pensacola, Fla. Thank you for the retelling of this story!

[@HistoryX]

It's amazing how these historical moments stick with us! Thanks for sharing your memories with us.

[@glennsoucy9767]

I believe that aircraft has now been reunited with Midway

[@dominicconway2761]

The guy who saved his family landing on the deck of the carrier was a badass on a mission. Nothing was stopping him.

[@Sundancer268]

I was on the USS Hancock CVA/CV-19 doing the same thing. We had over two thousand refugees in the #1 hanger. We also had some Marine casualties when one of the rescue helo flew into the ocean. If memory is correct, there were two pilots killed and two crewman rescued. Midway wasn't the only one there.

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for the fantastic comment. Glad to have an eye-witness to that part of history. Thanks for watching.

[@wolfcarr702]

Looking for 2 of your 3 radiomen. Was in Cambodia with Air America 72 your carrier saved our lives twice that year

[@Sundancer268]

I was in engineering running the auxiliary systems and seldom got above the hanger deck, so I didn't know any of the men in the radio gang.

[@timothybrimm6299]

I also was aboard the Hancock from sailing in 1970 to Jan 71 had to go home on emergency leave this action was after I left !

[@odyshopody9387]

My Dad was on the Hancock during that time to. I went on my first Tiger Cruise right after that. I remember watching video's of you guy's pushing helo's overboard to make room for more. I still have his Gold Cruise book from that Deployment!

[@dutchman7216]

That was a wonderful documentary. Thankyou for making it. Uss Midway was the first warship museum I took my daughter on.

[@HistoryX]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks, Dutchman!

[@rudeawakening3833]

My brother saved a lot of Vietnamese people that day ; he overloaded his Huey and landed on the USS Blue Ridge . His helicopter had looters siphon off his fuel the previous night - he crossed over the beach and his low fuel lights came on . The US Navy told him to get in a flight path off the Blue Ridge and wait for room to land , and he told them he had no fuel . They then allowed him to land on fumes ! Praise God everyone got off alive and lived to tell about that last day …

[@Petboch]

God bless your hope brother he's doing well

[@rudeawakening3833]

@@Petboch Thank you ! He got prostate cancer probably from his two tours and Agent Orange ; praise God he is doing well other than that scare . And thank you for your kind words …

[@kennethmcdonald5278]

I was aboard the U.S.S DURHAM L.K.A.114 , and I watched a helicopter crash into the port bow of your ship

[@jaimevalencia6271]

@@rudeawakening3833 thank god for people like your brother. To hell and back again for people they don’t know or will never encounter again.

[@rudeawakening3833]

@@jaimevalencia6271 Thanks for your thoughts . I actually never thought about it that way . BTW - 3 of my brothers served in combat in Vietnam .

[@valenzovalencia7414]

Its ashame i was never taught this kind of history in school. Incredible salute to all involved !!!!

[@iSmxtty]

Honestly I’m 25 I’ve NEVER HEARD of this

[@HM2SGT]

*Humanity. Compassion. Empathy. Sympathy. This is the record of the best of us at our best*

[@mito88]

THC - tolerance, humility and comprehension

[@riverthur]

🙏 amen

[@Fucktheworld14020]

Yes the fact they pushed millions of dollars worth of military helicopters into the sea without hesitation to save life’s gives me renewed faith in humanity!

[@jimbotron70]

Like Agent Orange and incendiary bombs?😏

[@walkertongdee]

America lost...

[@alejandrolemmo]

It’s amazing what can be achieved when people come together. Thank you for sharing this story!

[@HistoryX]

Totally! It’s so cool to see what people can do when they come together. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@justkelly6992]

WE pushed Helicopters off of the flight deck of the USS Duluth without any remorse or delay. There were more birds in the air and we needed the landing spots to bring them down. Along with about 2k refugees and their possessions. ARVN Pilots refused to fly back in, some ditched in the water and were picked up. I don't blame them at all.

[@MarkRose-s9l]

I served on the USS Duluth 1977 - 1980. When I first got on board, the old timers told me about this. This was a very good thing.

[@joshandersons6914]

As a Vietnamese refugee, we are and will always be grateful to all the US servicemen during the Vietnam war. God bless ! and God bless America !

[@stayingfocused1]

That's insane she just throw hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayers money off the side of the ship for refugees absolutely not they should have just threw a line out and let them hold on to the line and tell the people in if all are most of them don't make it then that is what it is but to throw 100s and millions of dollars off the side of the carrier is nuts just ridiculous

[@adsdentiste]

❤🇬🇷

[@kennethfharkin]

@@stayingfocused1I’m guessing you are a fan of how the withdrawal of Afghanistan was conducted.

[@joshandersons6914]

We're from South Vietnam, I was a little kid, we fled in a cargo ship on an afternoon 4/28/1975, the sky were cloudy, no sun, no rain. We did not see the Midway on open sea, but saw it, I believed, in Philippine. This video remind me vividly the journey on that ship, it was the most difficult time of our lives, scary, hungry, thirsty, dirty, don't know what tomorrow will bring. Watching this video bring me to tears, all that memories came back. Thank you. And thank to all of the US servicemen involved in the Vietnam War. God bless America !

[@smoothjazzrob8061]

I'm 68 now. At this time I was 18 years old in the U.S. Army with the 25th Infantry Division. They sent us to Guam to set up camps to handle many of these people in this video. Wow how time flies!

[@thesailjunkie]

The fall of Saigon. A disgraceful end to a war fought by politicians rather than warriors.

[@HistoryX]

It’s a classic case of politicians playing chess while the warriors were left holding the pieces.

[@TomasFunes-rt8rd]

Wrong, wrong, WRONG. America was NOT in this war - this was a new one started 2 years AFTER the war between the USA and Nth Vietnam ENDED FORMALLY. No amount of cheesy slogans will ever substitute for basic real history.

[@danohanlon8316]

@@TomasFunes-rt8rd Exactly! As of that day, the US and North Vietnam had not been at war for 823 days. (How can a country lose a war it wasn’t fighting?)

[@TomasFunes-rt8rd]

@@danohanlon8316 Indeed, it was a war between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, which President ford announced resolutely the USA would NOT be joining, and they didn't join in. The rescue of their citizens (and sympathisers) from ANY foreign war is perfectly normal, and plenty of countries send such rescue missions. The fact that THIS ONE produced very dramatic tv footage has made people yearn to spin it as a morality tale of US defeat, but real history shoots them down.

[@peterdevreter]

Afghanistan was also in the top three of stupid retreats.

[@PeterNebelung]

I worked for a company in the mid 80s that had half a dozen Vietnamese workers. Most were "boat people" but one of them was evaced by helo that day and ended up on a US Navy ship. Long story how he ended up in Toronto but their stories about escaping from Vietnam were amazing to hear over the lunch table.

[@SlickBlackCadillac]

Someone got mad at me recently for saying "boat people" 🤡

[@PeterNebelung]

@@SlickBlackCadillac I'll bet money that it wasn't a Vietnamese individual. I always thought those people had a rather huge pair, and had no problem being known as such. Of course if you called them that in the wrong tone or as an implication that they were crooked/poor/unwanted/useless, well the consequences were yours to enjoy. One of the older guys I worked with told me of the trip. 30 or so people stuffed into a battered fishing boat that could at best carry 10, limited food/water, no life jackets, across open ocean. No knowing if the NVA patrols would nail you , or the weather sink you. Something like 800 miles due east into the rising sun, til they were picked up by a Philippines Coast Guard ship.

[@SlickBlackCadillac]

@@PeterNebelung it was a Vietnamese woman...USA born of course!

[@joshandersons6914]

@@SlickBlackCadillac There is nothing wrong with "boat people" Vietnamese refugee fled on boats, some survive, some not. estimate the death toll of boat people on the Pacific Ocean is very very high. As a Vietnamese, we rather die than live under communist regime.

[@SlickBlackCadillac]

@@joshandersons6914 I know

[@TrophyNZ1]

I know of one of the last people to be Airlifted out of Saigon, he told us it was horrific, and he was a New Zealander, RIP

[@marleyboy7732]

Seeing all them heli's worth lots of money thrown away just to save a small plane w/a few lives. Theres no words. Thats how it should be. Life over money. My highest respect for these men & prayers to all that were there.

[@truckerray7533]

My uncle was a sailor aboard the USS Midway CV-41 during that mission! Thankya "Fuzz" for your service & thankya for helping me to follow in your footsteps & proudly serve in the United States Navy! Salute to ALL my fellow U.S. military personell, in all branches of the U.S. military, active/in-active/& veterans🫡🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲!!!

[@joshandersons6914]

As a Vietnamese, many thanks to your Uncle from the bottom of our heart.

[@truckerray7533]

​@@joshandersons6914I'll be sure to let him know🙂

[@steveh1792]

I was attending college in central California around that time, working part time at the airport next to the college. The owners had picked up a couple surplussed TH-10 (Bell 47 variant) helicopters, figuring on adding helicopter instruction to the flying school. The machines needed a bit of work... Trying to find someone locally who could help get them airworthy, they found a Vietnamese fellow working locally at an auto body shop. He'd been a SVNAF H-34 pilot, and had got out of the country at the last minute, with his new wife and as many people as they could cram onboard and out across the shoreline. He worked for us for several months, got the helo's worked up to be certified for operation around which time the business folded. I did get some dual stick time with him before it ended, which was fun.

[@jpiper2001]

Lucky you.

[@jaimevalencia6271]

The moments in which Saigon fell reminded me of when we withdrew from the Middle East. People giving their kids to the soldiers/marines just for a chance of survival was All fubar

[@jasoneldridge4738]

Vietnam has become a democratic country with good relationships with former enemies,which I doubt the middle east will ever do !

[@cherylhaugen1897]

We listened and cried. I was 27, living in MN. At 30, I met and married a Viet Nam Vet. I’m proud of him and the many boys that were there and the HUGE effort to evacuate everyone they could!

[@HistoryX]

Thank you for taking the time to watch this video. I appreciate the comment!

[@andrewbocho3896]

You are pround of a man who took part in the invasion and probably murderd innocents? Wow.

[@alexanderenericavanwyk9909]

I am so glad you put subtitles on the screen. Now i can read the whole video. Not irritating at all. Its almost as good as people putting videos over interesting articles i want to read.

[@riverthur]

It wasn’t a clickbait, I was intrigued and glad I watch this moment in our history. So much life or death decisions in a split second. Just wow!

[@simonbertioli4696]

Amazing.... Well done America... Doesn't matter the political directions. The Navy saved lives... That counts for a lot. I salute you...

[@HistoryX]

Totally agree! The Navy really pulled through, and it’s awesome to see people recognizing their efforts! 🙌

[@piergiorgio919]

Solito italiano depensante

[@simonbertioli4696]

@@piergiorgio919 you won't say that if it was your brother.

[@piergiorgio919]

@@simonbertioli4696 usual dumb argument, obviously if i was a vietnam resident associated with the US id agree. But i am not, your "imagine" is a retarded response. Imagine if the war never happened. Anyways i was referring to the US intervening in the first place, escalating the conlfict and massacring vietnam as a whole

[@frankbodenschatz173]

Thanks again Super Ken! Well done!

[@HistoryX]

Thanks, Frank. My pleasure!

[@bfgivmfith]

I have seen the normal footage of this event, but never like this! Thank you! Incredible!

[@chopper7352]

Great presentation Ken. A fantastic story. 🤞 this one goes big for you mate. It certainly deserves to. Cheers from Australia.

[@HistoryX]

Thanks so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled you enjoyed the presentation. Cheers to Australia!

[@tracya4087]

and cheers from wigan , lancashire , england too

[@steveperry1344]

i remember it well and what a sad touching story and you knew it was the end of the line for that war and the helicopters which had kinda became a symbol for the war going overboard. it was good they saved as many people as they could. the woman being interviewed is stunningly beautiful.

[@oldstyleanalog6459]

Damn.This video made me tear up.God bless freedom

[@Mutlap]

I was stationed at Futenma Air Base in April 1975 where these helicopters originated. I was 19 at the time, now 68.

[@divexplore21]

Wow now I know why! Amazing documentary.

[@HistoryX]

So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@panzerabwerkanone]

Ahhh that's nothing compared to the billions of dollars of equipment left behind in Afganistan.

[@paulparker8298]

These are only a few helicopters! The yank left behind quadruple the amount of military equipment to the nva ! Afghanistan pales in comparison to the amount of stuff left behind! Look it up

[@jessicaregina1956]

The ana was nothing next to the arvn, arvn was a nationa military force supplied and expected to continue a war.

[@paulparker8298]

@@jessicaregina1956 your dates are completely wrong! That evacuation was mainly American advisers and a small number of American military personnel! The bulk of the western military had left a long time ago before this day ! The arvn had been comprehensively defeated and were retreating into Saigon as it was originally called! The American advisors fully knew that the war was lost by the arvn !

[@ikefrye847]

@@paulparker8298 Who told you to bring facts and details into this and confuse these folks who have a good emotional soapbox to rant their ignorance from?

[@atatterson6992]

Well done Joe

[@gimmarkmark7822]

I met a Vietnamese a few years ago. He said his mother worked at US embassy at Vietnam war. She sent to a camp for 2years and released. He now have an office with his mom today.

[@daveybaby10]

Amazing piece of history that I wasn’t aware of here in the uk….great compassion from the crew and bravery from those pilots risking there all for refugees….great work

[@wolfcarr702]

Was with Air America. We flew for support that week. This is my biggest part of my ptsd

[@PeterNebelung]

O7. Hope you are doing OK.

[@lonesheepdog6337]

God bless you 🇺🇲 🇬🇧

[@motorTranz]

Powerful story! This shows the greatness of our Sailors and Marines! We were there: USS Peoria LST 1183.

[@SC9750-r3w]

This is why I love the internet. I had no clue this happened! What an awesome display of the human spirit.

[@richardpierce7819]

I was in High School on Guam during Operation New Life when they were bringing in Viet Namese refuges . They housed some at the Asan Hospital annex and some in tent cities on Anderson Air Base. I knew I was witnessing history.

[@HistoryX]

That's awesome! Sounds like you had a front-row seat to some serious history. Thanks for sharing!

[@richardpierce7819]

@@HistoryX your welcome.

[@nickjcal2819]

During this time 1975, I was in Germany / US Army. In '79 I got out the Army after 12 yrs. 7 months later I joined the Navy to get my 8 yrs Nav + 12 yrs Army for my 20 yrs Retirement. My first Boat was the USS Midway, homeported in Yoko, Japan. Reported aboard Mar '81 till Mar 83. Ironically, we picked up Vietnamese Boat People in the South China Sea and dropped them off in Singapore. It was a good feeling rescuing them when we did, their boat was overloaded and really bad shape.

[@Seadog..C5]

VA-56 CVA-41 😊 This documentary leaves out a lot of the important facts. We were well prepared for this mission, all of our fixed-wing aircraft were flown off to cubi point in the philippines. The Air Force flew their jolly Greens on and a lot of the air crews stayed in our birthing. ( We took most of their money playing cards) I don't know how many refugees we had on board but it was over a couple of thousand.. the hangar Bay was full .. The whole event was disorganized chaos that went off like a theatrical ballet. One of the jolly green crew chief let me take a trip to the airport with them. When this mission was over, (the recovery.,) we took the refugees to Guam, went back and stole some F5 tigers and some Dragonflies, from Thailand that had been flown there by the South. It's hard to believe how long ago. Almost 50 years now. Time just slips us on by.

[@herringbone5035]

What happened to the F5 Tigers and Dragonflies? Don't leave the best prt of the story hanging.

[@2SHARP4UIQ150]

This video should have millions of views.

[@kingkanoworldmedia4389]

Miss, welcome to America, I am glad we did not fail you. God bless Veit Nam

[@tigertiger1699]

I was child watching in 🇳🇿 the crew of your Midway, as per the original fighters of Midway… taught everything I need to know about core human decency and what is truely important in life… it is people, it is people, it is people.🙏🌹 I have wondered all these years, now I know…, am a mess on the floor🌹🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@HaiNguyen-ii6bx]

Thank You America, and may God bless all of her compassionated men & women.

[@ih8suvz]

My dad was on the USS Mobile when that went down. I have his photo album full of pictures he took of that day on the ship.

[@shawntailor5485]

Sorry for your loss

[@sunriseboy4837]

All those dudes running that operation were absolute heroes!!! I wish I was half as useful as those guys?! Just an awesome example of how real men act. Not a 'woke' word to be uttered. Brilliant manhood on display!

[@cmanmaxwell]

Tossing 10 million in equipment isn't something I'd expect todays military to do. I'm glad to see we had this compassion.

[@natesturm448]

When we pulled out of Afghanistan I quickly went to see if I could find out if my translator from my deployment got out. He didn't, and it angers me so much that so many vehicles were left behind instead of used to bring those who would be executed for "treason" to safety. The modern military and government is absolutely pathetic.

[@patmcdonald766]

I was there and it was a horrible time for a whole South Vietnam chaotic escape and the question of why did the NVA stop for 3 days before coming into Saigon, I know the answer and will take it to my grave. I was a RADIOMAN and I transmitted the "Execute Operation Frequent WIND" The next month some of these Helicopters were used at Utapoa thailand To do the USS Mayquez operation.

[@crazyralph6386]

Why did they stop?

[@jonathanozment4523]

@@crazyralph6386 lol, he said he'll take it to his grave but you think you asking is going to change his mind... SMDH

[@atatterson6992]

@@crazyralph6386 They NVA found a big brothel with white girls on the Ho Chi Mihn.

[@adamrice2847]

My Dad was a Navy officer during the Hanoi Air Lifts he was ordered to get on the next flight out he waited til the last flight he written up for insubordination! My hero!!!

[@InterGalactic2001]

Such a devastating yet beautiful story like many tragedies are.

[@dyllanfitzallen1541]

Great job with the doco mate 👍

[@FullThrottleRacing535]

Wow this was very touching, good job to all the sailors.

[@tigertiger1699]

50? Years I had not known what I saw as a child.., but it burnt onto my heart how important people are, how important those “big hero men” (gods to a child of Ww2 vet)….. saw people to be…🙏🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@alberta2]

😳🤔😎❤️🪖What an Amazing Documentary 👏, I am always moved by moments like this. American Excellence must be Restored.😢

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

I remember watching this on the news.

[@michaellissow543]

Thank you for this video. I was a junior in High School when this event took place. I had no idea of the peril these people were in. All I knew was Nixon ended the Vietnam war and the draft ended. I eventually joined the Navy. I was stationed at NAS Pensicola during my SAR (search and rescue) training. Whether that little bird dog was there in the museum or not, I don't know, but now I want to go back to see it. Thanks again.

[@laustinspeiss]

This is what life is about, and everyone should remember.

[@mick00000000002]

What a history lesson. Mick Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️

[@YamatoPower9000]

If this story was made into a movie it would repay the cost of all lost equipment. It's very moving.

[@joshandersons6914]

I hope someone will made a movie out of it, a history to learn from so we can avoid from making the same mistake in the future.

[@bartgoins1782]

Great history lesson. Thank you for sharing.

[@mrrusty3330]

wonderful stories of human compassion

[@HistoryX]

So glad you took the time to watch. Thanks!

[@ghostJC1126]

Beautiful composed documentary. Well done.

[@jacky3580]

Don’t forget that the negotiations in Paris, the Americans believed NVR would stay out of Saigon until American evacuations were completed. The agreement was, of course, broken.

[@4TheMotorist]

What an incredible story, i had no idea. My first time hearing about this. I guess there is heaps of history stories i am un aware of. Thanks for sharing.

[@HistoryX]

Who knew history could be so wild? It's like a never-ending plot twist - just when you think you've heard it all, there's another surprise waiting!

[@cya2163]

I'm a senior and I'm crying...I don't really know why...but I'm crying...

[@thekingquail]

The US Navy is so kind 😊

[@galexeqe]

8:36 the way that Huey goes over the side with it's rotors still spinning It's not a living thing and yet it still gives the impression of it screaming "I'm still good, I'm still good"

[@jimharris8889]

Great video great Story USA

[@anicorp4952]

Sad to think this same situation would play out again almost 50yrs later in Afghanistan. We never learn.

[@lizzardwizard2000]

We didn’t learn to stop helping people who are not willing to fight their own battles. Wasted 20 years and American lives in Afghanistan.

[@joshandersons6914]

Sadly, so many Afghans who work and help Americans still left behind. Their life surely in danger.

[@javierjalisco17]

That unknown soldier at the gate is what it's all about 😢 going out of your way to help a stranger

[@Puluo789]

humanity can be wholesome when they want to be.

[@ronaldmead7643]

I was at Utapao Thailand when this happened. Some of us went down to the beach and watched the helicopters fly out to the carrier

[@justinhalethesenuts7769]

One of those refugees who was lil girl at the time. Is now today an American citizen, she is also the inventor of the Thermo beric bomb. Plus many other things. Thank god she's on our side. God bless 🙏

[@davidburgoyne7489]

Thanks

[@dl211981]

The Cessna that hung on the lower deck of the USS Midway in San Diego is a replica?

[@HistoryX]

Yes, that one is a replica.

[@desertdog5397]

I was onboard one of the ships that was participating in the evacuations...I recall many , many civilians..down in the well deck of the ship...we sailed to Subic Bay PI and discharged them...

[@Juandinggong]

I loved visiting midway!

[@HistoryX]

They are hosting the Historic Naval Ships Association conference next month. Apparently they host 700 events a year!

[@sman5877]

That’s a nice story about the bird dog. i remember watching the helicopters land in the water on tv and it became apparent that it was really dangerous when the blades started flying off so that was another reason to push them over board.😊

[@rrrobinson97202]

The operation was called Frequent Wind. I was station aboard the USS Hancock CVA-19. we had over 2000 refugees from Vietnam

[@UmbrellaWatch]

I sure hope she earned that and her family. Maybe even a member serving in the military.

[@patriciastalons4373]

Wow, I have seen many videos of that day but hadn't heard this particular story.

[@pipersdestinydrummond6111]

When I first saw this happen in1975,I didn't get the information of what happened then. It took all these years to know the story.

[@pipersdestinydrummond6111]

Too young to serve then..Born in 68

[@joshandersons6914]

I wanted to visit the USS Midway someday.

[@lishomwalishomwa179]

Wow a great journey in history

[@stephenmonter3405]

You forgot that the USS Mount Veron (LSD) also pushed 6 helicopters also they were just a little smarter and used a forklift to do it.

[@EnterpriseXI]

I’m sure that Bird Dog pilot was taking enemy fire as he and his family took off from his air base

[@marchello5927]

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

[@l.nguyen860]

I've met a sailor many years ago. He told me his ship was ordered to turn around and to send down divers to remove/destroy all commo gear from those helos in shallow water.

[@radioflyer5371]

My friend Ray Allard was a firefighter on the midway during this time

[@shannonmonroe5873]

The only country in the world that would throw its military equipment overboard to make room for the plane to land.

[@MikeKBar13]

Very true! A lot of amazing decisions made on the spot. The war was over but alot of people who helped the US were in peril! Also most (or all?) of those helos were US Army, so no real place for them on a US Navy carrier, especially with thousands of refugees onboard. Scuttle those helos!

[@joshandersons6914]

God bless America !

[@notrut]

Erm, why didn't the 5 ditched Helicopters get airborne until the little plane landed, then ditch IT over board??

[@skindianu]

Time was of the essence and eventually, there wasn't enough room, so something had to give. People, prioritized over equipment, seems to be the main message.

[@trond5656]

War was over, no need for all those helicopters from Vietnam to be stored somewhere.

[@Czr350]

History often repeats it's self

[@moshymosh]

Just a bit of banter with the lads

[@mikebellis5713]

South Vietnam - a few billion dollars of military stuff have been abandoned. Afghanistan - hold my beer

[@Dellboy56]

The US armed forces left enough heavy armaments in Vietnam to win a war! Oh, wait.

[@jrobbin24]

Biden's folly

[@jrobbin24]

Biden was only a senator during the Vietnam withdrawal but he was able to really screw this country over as a president

[@joshandersons6914]

not true, US congress did not approve $500M to supply South Vietnam with weapon to fight. many South Vietnamese Generals, Officers committed suicide with their last bullets. These were never shown on the US news.

[@calebaaustin]

America has its flaws but few people remember the amazing things this country has done and the number of Americans who have died protecting human rights. I'm proud to be an American and I don't mind my tax money being spent to save innocent people no mater where they come from.

[@phillipsmith4501]

I toured the midway in 1987 while she was in sydney along with the USS Bellue wood

[@PierreCollette-b5c]

Est ce des images de Kaboul ?

[@georgeclontd4984]

I saw the news footage of the evac of Saigon. Choppers of all kinds landing. Passengers existing as quicky and as safely ass possible. With empty the deck crew would push the empty chopper off the deck into the ocean. Repeating the scene like a million times.