Talyn
Emissary
As South Vietnam collapsed under the onslaught of communist forces, one South Vietnamese pilot made a brave and daring escape in a tiny aircraft, miraculously finding a place to land out at seas, saving himself and his family.
The rapidity of the communist advance had caught the Americans by surprise, leading to a chaotic implementation of the evacuation plan known as “Operation Frequent Wind”.
American helicopters would now ferry people out to sea, landing on carriers in the South China Sea. Decks of ships eventually became crowded with refugees and choppers. Over several hours, helicopters of the U.S. military would transport 1,373 Americans, 6,422 non-Americans, and several U.S. Marines to U.S. vessels. The last eleven Marines guarding the U.S. Embassy would leave on Apr. 30, escaping by helicopter from the rooftop of the building with the American flag in hand, after a mob had already taken control of lower floors of the building.
On Apr. 29, a young South Vietnamese Air Force officer and his family were fleeing the communist onslaught. Carrying as many possessions as possible, along with five small children and his wife, Major Buang-Ly (Bung-Lee) spotted a tiny aircraft sitting alone at an airfield on Con Son Island. The aircraft was a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. Cramming possessions, his wife, and five children in the confined cargo area of the cockpit of the two-seat aircraft, the Major was able to get the aircraft’s engine started and managed to get overloaded aircraft airborne. His only plan was to escape, not knowing where to go or what to do. He turned the small aircraft towards the sea and hoped for the best.
theaviationist.com
The U.S.S. Midway after receiving the United States Air Force HH-53 helicopters in the South China Sea. (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
The O-1 Bird Dog flown by Major Buang-Ly at the moment of first contact with the deck of the U.S.S. Midway. Note the plethora of helicopters on the deck. (Image credit: United States Navy)
Aftermath:
The family was taken in as refugees and eventually resettled in the United States. Their Cessna O-1 Bird Dog is now a celebrated exhibit at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
en.wikipedia.org
Buang-Ly thanks former Navy Capt. Lawrence Chambers for allowing him to land an O-1 Bird Dog on board the USS Midway in 1975.
Buang-Ly and his family reminisce and look at an old photo taken of the family after landing on the USS Midway in 1975.
The rapidity of the communist advance had caught the Americans by surprise, leading to a chaotic implementation of the evacuation plan known as “Operation Frequent Wind”.
American helicopters would now ferry people out to sea, landing on carriers in the South China Sea. Decks of ships eventually became crowded with refugees and choppers. Over several hours, helicopters of the U.S. military would transport 1,373 Americans, 6,422 non-Americans, and several U.S. Marines to U.S. vessels. The last eleven Marines guarding the U.S. Embassy would leave on Apr. 30, escaping by helicopter from the rooftop of the building with the American flag in hand, after a mob had already taken control of lower floors of the building.
On Apr. 29, a young South Vietnamese Air Force officer and his family were fleeing the communist onslaught. Carrying as many possessions as possible, along with five small children and his wife, Major Buang-Ly (Bung-Lee) spotted a tiny aircraft sitting alone at an airfield on Con Son Island. The aircraft was a Cessna O-1 Bird Dog. Cramming possessions, his wife, and five children in the confined cargo area of the cockpit of the two-seat aircraft, the Major was able to get the aircraft’s engine started and managed to get overloaded aircraft airborne. His only plan was to escape, not knowing where to go or what to do. He turned the small aircraft towards the sea and hoped for the best.
Major Buang-Ly's Great Escape
As South Vietnam collapsed under the onslaught of communist forces, one South Vietnamese pilot made a brave and daring escape in a tiny aircraft,
theaviationist.com
The U.S.S. Midway after receiving the United States Air Force HH-53 helicopters in the South China Sea. (Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)
The O-1 Bird Dog flown by Major Buang-Ly at the moment of first contact with the deck of the U.S.S. Midway. Note the plethora of helicopters on the deck. (Image credit: United States Navy)
Aftermath:
The family was taken in as refugees and eventually resettled in the United States. Their Cessna O-1 Bird Dog is now a celebrated exhibit at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Lawrence Chambers - Wikipedia
Buang-Ly thanks former Navy Capt. Lawrence Chambers for allowing him to land an O-1 Bird Dog on board the USS Midway in 1975.
Buang-Ly and his family reminisce and look at an old photo taken of the family after landing on the USS Midway in 1975.