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4mo ago

USS Midway Hosts 50th Anniversary of Historic Vietnam War Evacuation

Veterans, refugees, and descendants gather to honor Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter rescue in U.S. history, and celebrate the resilience of the Vietnamese-American community.

A Vietnamese dance troupe performs during the 50th anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind and the fall of the Republic of Vietnam aboard the USS Midway on Sunday. The tribute honored the courage, resilience, and hope for those who fled their Vietnamese homeland, the communities that welcomed them, and the lasting contributions of Vietnamese refugees across the United States and the world.(Photo by Sandy Huffaker for The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Overview

  • Thousands attended the USS Midway event in San Diego to commemorate Operation Frequent Wind, marking 50 years since the fall of Saigon in 1975.
  • Rear Adm. Larry Chambers, who commanded the operation, reflected on the daring two-day rescue of over 3,000 South Vietnamese refugees.
  • The ceremony highlighted the enduring contributions of Southern California's Vietnamese-American community, the largest diaspora outside Vietnam.
  • Speeches, cultural performances, and military flyovers honored the bravery of U.S. forces and the resilience of evacuees who rebuilt their lives in the U.S.
  • Rep. Derek Tran emphasized the operation's legacy of compassion and the lasting bonds formed between the Vietnamese and American people.