Evacuation of Americans and South Vietnamese refugees from Saigon during Operation Frequent Wind (fall of Saigon), at conclusion of Vietnam War. Large group of South Vietnamese people escaping Vietnam are seen on deck of aircraft carrier USS Midway. Former Vice President of South Vietnam, Nguyen Cao Ky, is seen leaving a helicopter and being escorted across the deck. Midway's deck crew prepares for emergency landing of a Cessna L-19/O-1 airplane, carrying a family of 7 persons. Lacking a radio headset, the pilot dropped a note that requested permission to land. The deck had been cleared of several helicopters (pushed overboard) to make room for the Cessna to land. A fire truck and firefighters stand ready. The Cessna aircraft is seen circling the Midway and setting up a landing pattern, above the ship. It lands smoothly on the carrier deck. The pilot, South Vietnamese Air Force Major Ly Bung, and his wife, are seen walking across the deck. Major Ly Bung holds his arm up acknowledging the other evacuees on board. (Note: This Cessna O-1 airplane was eventually brought to the U.S. and can be seen in the National Museum of Naval Aviation, at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida.)
Television broadcast of U.S. President Richard Nixon's speech from the White House in Washington DC, United States on withdrawal of the remaining U.S. troops from Vietnam on 29th March 1973 during the Vietnam War. President Nixon speaks about progress that the U.S. has made towards peace and the end of the Vietnam War. He says that the United States should not reduce its defense budget. He speaks about negotiations with the Soviet Union regarding elimination of nuclear arms. He says that cutting down defense budget before the negotiations would increase the danger of war and there should be mutual reduction in defense. President Nixon says that the U.S. should maintain its strength.
VNAF helicopter pilots at Ton Son Nhut Airport. They bid farewell to families and friends inside airport terminal. Officials check boarding passes at terminal gate. Bags of VNAF candidates are also inspected. They board plane. American commercial airplanes, namely Seaboard World and Airlift, taxi down runway and take off. A plane in flight is shown. Ton Son Nhut Airport terminal building appears with flags flying at terminal entrance.
Aerial view of river. Sandy banks of the river. Towns and villages on the banks of the river. Water logged rice paddy fields
Dead bodies of civilians lying in a pool of blood in the streets of Saigon. 199th Light Infantry Brigade soldier speaks over radio. Civilians in the background. Soldier climbs a building. Soldiers seated on a M-42 self-propelled antiaircraft gun as it moves through the streets. One soldier holds a puppy in his arms. A few others follow the tank on foot. A soldier carries a block of ice on his shoulders.
American soldier fire M-16 rifle behind wall. Army ambulance parked at the end of alley. Soldier at M-60 machine gun nearby. UH-1B helicopters fly over. U.S. soldiers in jeeps passing streets. V-100 armored commando car drives into alley. Soldiers fire rifles from behind cover of concrete wall. Soldiers rush forward to wrecked truck and V-100 in alley.