Posted on 11/10/2021 9:12:11 PM PST by DUMBGRUNT
Capt. Lawrence Chambers was facing a life and death decision.
He could save the lives of a family and possibly be court martialed.
Or risk losing them all. It was 1975.
The ship was heading to South Vietnam to help evacuate United States and South Vietnamese personnel before the country was overrun by North Vietnam.
“I can’t let them die. There goes my career,” Lawrence said, ordering the helicopters to be shoved into the sea.
South Vietnamese Air Force Major Buang-Ly wasn’t on the list of evacuees, but knew he and his family would be killed if they didn’t leave.
So he bundled his wife and five children and loaded them into the “Bird Dog” plane.
The plane’s interior was no bigger than a Volkswagen Beetle car.
Finally, he threw down a note — either in a boot or a holster depending on who you talk to — and crewmembers grabbed it.
His note read: “Can you move the helicopter to the other side, I can land on your runway, I can fly for one hour more, we have enough time to move. Please rescue me! Major Buang, wife and 5 child.”
Crewmen worked feverishly to clear the landing area of helicopters that had landed earlier with evacuees.
He just did the right thing.
Now, that family and their descendants have him and the Midway crew to thank.
(Excerpt) Read more at fremonttribune.com ...
The Sailors and Marines functioning as a single organism and get it done.
There are many detailed articles and videos on this event, this one was short and I liked it.
“I can’t let them die. There goes my career,” Lawrence said, ordering the helicopters to be shoved into the sea. The Captain and his air boss both say they could not bear to watch the Hueys being pushed overboard.
South Vietnamese Air Force Major Buang-Ly wasn’t on the list of evacuees but knew he and his family would be killed if they didn’t leave.
The ARVN Major "requisitioned" a US Army Cessna Birddog for his family escape on the last day of the RVN. So he bundled his wife and five children and loaded them into the “Bird Dog” plane.
The lacking an arresting hook the Sailors and Marines plan to literally pull the Cessna out of the air and hold it with many bodies to prevent it from going overboard.
The Cessna hangs in the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. A replica is also on display at the USS Midway Museum, San Diego.
Got a non-paywall link?
Thanks!
X ing the beg screen worked for me?
But I never know?
An archive of the short version I posted:
https://archive.vn/mpby0
Long version:
https://www.historynet.com/maj-buang-lys-daring-feat-to-save-his-family.htm
I was unfamiliar with this event until it came in a Veterans Day email. Many articles on this event, a good story with a happy ending.
Thanks, a nice video.
Since receiving a Veterans Day email with this story, I have been reading around and see interesting comments from Vietnamese.
From the comments:
“dide quen
4 years ago
Guys i almost cry every time to watch this. I am a son of former South Vienam Marine Major who lost the battle like many others including major Bung here. The sad part was my father was caught on land and sent to prison for many years after that. To some degrees major Bung was luckier than most of the others who could not find a mean to escape.... the U.S. government finally did something good for us by lobbying with Communist gov. to allow us moving to U.S. we have been here and live very happy life. I have experienced discrimination and racism some times but the majority of Americans are very generous and receptive... i some time feel sad but told myself that it was still much better that what i was treated by my own country.... Americans are so divided as well, i feel that we as Americans have been spoiled for so long and took everything for granted on almost everything. The moral message i want to tell the rest of virtual American Youtubers that there is not bitter feeling than becoming a man of no country. You got to keep it, protect it and fight for it”
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