During the concluding moments of the Vietnam War, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) played a pivotal role in the humanitarian efforts.
Despite having withdrawn its combat troops from Vietnam a few years earlier, Australia responded promptly to an urgent call to evacuate refugees and evacuees as the North Vietnamese military offensive made swift advances down the nation. The RAAF personnel were confronted with significant risks but remained steadfast in their efforts to ensure the safe evacuation of as many people as possible. In addition to the evacuation, they also flew in emergency essentials such as food, medical supplies, and other relief materials to aid approximately 40,000 refugees.
The RAAF's final involvement in the Vietnam War witnessed over 200 individuals, including air and ground crew members, equipment and administration personnel, nurses, and other medical staff, flying in operations. The inhabitants of South Vietnam were fleeing in droves as the enemy approached, searching for refuge in the south and hoping for an escape. The chaos led to the displacement of thousands of orphans.
During the course of the Vietnam War, numerous orphans were brought to Australia for the purpose of adoption. However, when circumstances necessitated that the operation be expedited, it became imperative to transport as many children as possible to safety. Consequently, a number of these children were destined for adoption in Australia, while others had homes awaiting them in the United States. In early April of 1975, the United States and Australia initiated a series of flights known as Operation Babylift, with the express aim of evacuating Vietnamese children. This notable operation proved to be successful, as it enabled the safe rescue and transport of 194 orphaned Vietnamese children to Australia and other countries.
Amongst these children was Van Minh Nguyen, who was brought to Australia at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.
Tan Son Nhat airfield during the second airlift on 17 April 1975
"This is my story. I’ve never met or new my biological families. At the end of the Vietnam War 1975 (age 9) a refugee orphan with a disability (polio) from birth, I was evacuated from an orphanage with other orphans and put onboard an American military Hercules evacuations flights out of Saigon at the end of "Vietnam War".
During the evacuation flights. There were three American military Hercules aircrafts. One plane shot down crashed and two planes got away flown to an American military airbase on a tiny island of Quam before boarding onto two commercial flights. The planes departures to the United States and Australia.
After arriving in Australia, all the orphans became care of the states ward in various orphanages in Sydney awaiting for adoption or fostering," wrote Minh.
Minh was fostered for four years by an Australian family in a tiny country town Cargo in the central west of NSW.
Minh's story has been featured on A Current Affair
“At age 14, I joined the (NRC) Naval Reserve Cadets, nowadays known as the Australian Navy Cadets, for about 12 months. When I was 15, I left school with the permission [from another foster parents in Sydney] and applied for the Royal Australian Navy Junior Recruits at HMAS Leeuwin in Western Australia (JRTE) Junior Recruits Training Establishment. I served in the Navy for eight years."
"A former refugee orphan of the Vietnam War conflict, although Vietnamese heritage but Aussie by nature proud to be an Australian. To all Vietnam Veterans, I salute you and thank you for your service and sacrifice."
Images from RSL Australia. Minh is a member of the RSL Ex-Servicemen Club Orange in the central west of NSW and the Naval Association Orange branch.
2023: The Year of The Vietnam Veterans, Join The Conversation
As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War (1962-1973), we honour the lives of these extraordinary servicemen and women – their service, their sacrifices, and their lives – the families they have created; the contributions they have made to Australia, and the dignity with which they have carried forward the ANZAC Spirit.
We're helping Australians of all ages better understand the life and times of our Vietnam Veterans as we commemorate the end of Australia's involvement in the war 50 years ago. We're sharing interesting social bits and pieces from the Vietnam War era to give you a feel of the world back then, but most importantly we're sharing your memories, stories, and pride. Your memories of the Vietnam era; your family growing up in the 1960s and 70s; or stories you have about the life and times of your veteran dad, pop, uncle, or aunt will breathe life into their story. Share your pictures, anecdotes, and memories so others can see our veterans as more than soldiers. We honour, respect and admire, but few know. Help us honour our Veterans.
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