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    "title": "4/29/75 - Final Evacuation of Saigon (2)",
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        "Vietnam War, 1961-1975",
        "Wars"
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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 122, folder \"4/29/75 - Final Evacuation of\nSaigon (2)\" of the John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDigitized from Box 122 of The John Marsh Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nConversation Memo\n0:900\n4-29-75\nThe air evacuation by helicopter which you were advised of last night is still\nunderway and is expected to be completed by about mid-day.\nThe evacuation is located principally at two places: the airport and the Embassy\nis being\ncomplex. It is understood that the airport\ncompleted\nare being\nand security forces have been withdrawn from there.\nApproximately 35 Americans were removed by boat from Can Tho in the Delta\nwhen the evacuation began.\nFORD & LIBRAR GERALD RALD\nAt this time the evacuation is continuing from the Embassy where it is estimated\nabout 2, 000 persons are scheduled to be airlifted, of which about 200 are American\nevacuees and approximately 200 are security forces.\nSince the evacuation began, it has been learned that the number of Vietnamese\nrepresent a substantial portion of those leaving. Any figures that we now have\nare merely estimates. However, at the Leader ship Meeting which you at are invited\nto attend at 11:30, you will be given more precise figures on evacuees including\n10:05 Mcclellan- I just to make sure weget\nall american out\nAmericans and Vietnamese.\n10: Am Stennis - no problems or comment\n10:08 Eastland - that means they are going\nto occupy saigou.\n-2-\nThe local situation in Saigon at the time of the evacuation necessitated a change\nin evacuation plans to include substantially larger numbers of Vietnamese than\noriginally estimated last night.\nInsofar as U.S. casualties are concerned, these include the two U.S. Marines that\nwere killed earlier yesterday before the evacuation began, and a fighter bomber is\nreported to be lost into the sea but the circumstances of its crash have not been\ndetermined insofar as hostile action is concerned. With these two exceptions,\nthere are no other U.S. casulaties.\nFORD & LIBRARY RALD\n33\nAbout 10:00 AM\n29 Apr. '75\nThe air evacuation by helicopter which you were advised of last night is still\nunderway and is expected to be completed by about mid-day.\nThe evacuation is located principally at two places: the airport and the Embassy\ncomplex. It is understood that the airport evacuation is being completed and\nsecurity forces are being withdrawn from there. Approximately 35 Americans\nwere removed by boat from Can Tho in the Delta when the evacuation began.\nAt this time the evacuation is continuing from the Embassy where it is estimated\nabout 2,000 persons are scheduled to be airlifted, of which about 200 are American\nevacuees and approximately 200 are security forces.\nSince the evacuation began, it has been learned that the number of Vietnamese\nrepresent a substantial portion of those leaving. Any figures that we now have\nare merely estimated. However, at the Leadership Meeting which you are invited\nto attend at 11: 30, you will be given more precise figures on evacuees including\nAmericans and Vietnamese.\nFORD is LIBRARY RALD\n39\n-2-\nThe local situation in Saigon at the time of the evacuation necessitated a change\nin evacuation plans to include substantially larger numbers of Vietnamese than\noriginally estimated last night.\nInsofar as U.S. casualties are concerned, these include the two U.S. Marines that\nwere killed earlier yesterday before the evacuation began, and a fighter bomber is\nreported to be lost into the sea but the circumstances of its crash have not been\ndetermined insofar as hostile action is concerned. With these two exceptions,\nthere are no other U.S. casualties.\nGE GERALD\nRALD R. FORD LIBRAR r\nMemo to President, re:\nLeadership mtg, War Power\nAct (w/2 attachments)\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 29, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nRALD GE R. FORD SBRART\nFROM:\nJACK MARSH\nAs you are aware there is a question as to whether the War Powers Act applies\nin a rescue operation involving American citizens; however, to be on the safe\nside, we proceeded as though it does and consequently sought to comply with\nthe Consultation Provision of the Act on the Saigon airlift.\nThese phone consultations began earlier this morning at about 12: 30 a.m. shortly\nbefore the carrier lift off of the helicopters participating in the operation.\nLeadership of the House and Senate and Jurisdictional Committees to include\nAppropriations were called by members of the White House Congressional Staff.\nThere were a few cases where members could not be reached either because they\nwere out of the City or their phone did not answer. Where a member could not\nbe reached, a senior member of their staff was contacted, except in the case of\nthree members in the Senate.\nThere is attached a summary of these early morning notifications.\nBecause the large number of Vietnamese evacuated exceeded initial plans\nand the advice given on the first notification to the Congressional leaders, a\nsecond consultation call was made at about 10: 00 this morning to update these\nindividuals. You are familar with the message contained in the second conversa-\ntion and a copy is attached.\nIt is important should the question occur as to why consultations or notifications\ndid not occur earlier, for you to point out that in your public statements over the\npast several weeks, as well as statements by members of the Administration and\nyour request for legislation for evacuation and the statements before Congressional\nCommittees by witnesses clearly put the Congress on notice of the impending\nevacuation operation.\nYou might expect questions on the status and future of pending legislation related\nto this subject matter.\nThe air evacuation by helicopter which you were advised of last night is still\nunderway and is expected to be completed by about mid-day.\nThe evacuation is located principally at two places: the airport and the Embassy\ncomplex. It is understood that the airport evacuation is being completed and\nsecurity forces are being withdrawn from there. Approximately 35 Americans\nwere removed by boat from Can Tho in the Delta when the evacuation began.\nAt this time the evacuation is continuing from the Embassy where it is estimated\nabout 2,000 persons are scheduled to be airlifted, of which about 200 are American\nevacuees and approximately 200 are security forces.\nSince the evacuation began, it has been learned that the number of Vietnamese\nrepresent a substantial portion of those leaving. Any figures that we now have\nare merely estimated. However, at the Leadership Meeting which you are invited\nto attend at 11: 30, you will be given more precise figures on evacuees including\nAmericans and Vietnamese.\nFORD & LIBRARY RALD\n-2-\nThe local situation in Saigon at the time of the evacuation necessitated a change\nin evacuation plans to include substantially larger numbers of Vietnamese than\noriginally estimated last night.\nInsofar as U.S. casualties are concerned, these include the two U.S. Marines that\nwere killed earlier yesterday before the evacuation began, and a fighter bomber is\nreported to be lost into the sea but the circumstances of its crash have not been\ndetermined insofar as hostile action is concerned. With these two exceptions,\nthere are no other U.S. casualties.\nA\nFORD\nRALD\nWIT\n3)\nW\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 29, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nJOHN MARSH\nTHROUGH:\nMAX FRIEDERSDORF\nVERN LOEN VL\nFROM:\nSUBJECT:\nCongressional calls on the Vietnam\nevacuation - April 29\nGERALD 10 R. FORD LIBE\nMEMBER:\nSpeaker Albert\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:45 a.m.\nPLACE:\nAt the home of Mike Reed\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke with Mike Reed who is\nAdministrative Assistant to the Speaker\nCOMMENTS:\nO.K. - Speaker is out of town, will relay word.\nFORD A LIBRA 97\nMEMBER:\nMinority Leader John Rhodes\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:30 a.m.\nPLACE:\nAt his home asleep\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke personally with Mr. Rhodes\nCOMMENTS:\nIt's about time\nRALD R. FORD\nMEMBER:\nRep. George Mahon\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:55 a. m.\nPLACE:\nAt the home of Keith Mainland\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke with Keith Mainland who is\nChief Counsel - Appropriations Committee\nCOMMENTS:\nGood under circumstances. You've heard\nreaction on Hill.\nFORD A GALD LIBRAR\nMEMBER:\nRep. William Broomfield\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:48 a.m.\nPLACE:\nAt the home of Everett Bierman\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke with Ev Bierman who is\nMinority Counsel for the International Relations Committee\nCOMMENTS:\nAll Americans? Broomfield on red-eye special\ncoming in from San Francisco.\nFORD of RALD LIBRA\nMEMBER:\nRep. Elford Cederberg\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:40 a.m.\nPLACE:\nAt his home asleep\nCONTACT:\nVern Loen spoke personally with Rep. Cederberg\nCOMMENTS:\nSending troops in? O.K., Thanks.\nFORD of RALD LIBRA\nMEMBER:\nRep. John McFall\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:41 a.m.\nPLACE:\nResidence\nCONTACT:\nDoug Bennett talked personally with Rep. McFall\nCOMMENTS:\nThank you - good luck.\nRALD R. FORD LIBRART r\nGE\nMEMBER:\nRep. Mel Price\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:38 a. m.\nPLACE:\nResidence\nCONTACT:\nDoug Bennet talked personally with Rep. Price\nCOMMENTS:\nThank you, sorry you have to work so late.\nFORD & HALD LIBRAR\n&\nMEMBER:\nRep. Bob Wilson\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:35 a. m.\nPLACE:\nResidence\nCONTACT:\nDoug Bennett talked personally with Rep. Wilson\nCOMMENTS:\nQ - Does this mean evacuation of South Vietnamese\nwill not continue?\nA - I don't know - probably will depend upon situation\nin Saigon after the extraction.\nFORD A LIBRAR RALD\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 29, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nMAX L. FRIEDERSDORF\nFROM:\nWILLIAM T. KENDALL WIK\nSUBJECT:\nNotification of Senate Leadership\nof the evacuation of Saigon\nThe attached log indicates the Senators reached by William Kendall,\nPat O'Donnell, and Bob Wolthuis this day relative to the notification\nof the Leadership of the evacuation of Saigon.\nFORD A RALD LIBRARY 30\nI\nApril 29, 1975\nSENATOR\nTIME\nW.H. CALLER\nCOMMENT\nMansfield\n12:30 a.m.\nWK\nOh Lord -- Thanks for calling.\nScott\n12:35 a. m.\nWK\nExpected it. Called for it yesterda\nThurmond\n7:15 a.m.\nWK\nApproved. Asked questions about\nmilitary situation near Saigon\nStennis\n12:35 a. m.\nRKW\nHope all goes well. Thanks\nMcClellan\n12:30 a.m.\nRKW\nGood luck. Thank you\nEastland\n12:38 a.m.\nRKW\nNot available. Talked to Courtney\nPace. Did not give notice, but\ntried to find whereabouts of\nEastland.\nGriffin\n12:22 a.m.\nPOD\n\"Thank you-hope it works out. \"\nSparkman\n12:30 a.m.\nPOD\n\"Thanks for letting me know;\nI'll be relieved when we get\nthe last American out. \"\nCase\n12:35 a.m.\nPOD\n\"Thanks very much; I appreciate\nyour letting me know. 11\nByrd\n7:20 a.m.\nWK\nGlad we are doing it. Asked if\nVietnamese were included.\nYoung\n12:30 - 1:00 a.m. POD\nNot reachable\nFORD HALD & RALD LIBRARY\nSecond Notification\nVietnam Evacuation (Saigon)\nTuesday, Morning 4/29\nSENATOR\nTIME\nW.H. CALLER\nCOMMENT\nGriffin\n10:15 a. m.\nPOD\n\"chank you -- I'll look forward\nto details at the 11:30 Bipartisan\nLeadership meeting. \"\nRobert Byrd\n10:24 a. m.\nPOD\n\"Thank you; how many VN went\nout last night and this morning? \"\nSparkman\n10:20 a.m.\nPOD\n\"Thank you for letting me know.\nI'll have to leave the 11:30\nmeeting early--am hosting\nluncheon for King Hussain. 11\nYoung\n10:22\nPOD\nSenator on plane back to D.C.\nfrom Minneapolis. Gave\nstatement to Gordon West\nwho will meet at airport and\ndrive him to 11: 30 Bipartisan\nLeadership Meeting.\nCase\n10:18\nPOD\nFrancis Henderson, A.A. advises\nthat Bill Kendall has already\ncalled with the information\nMansfield\n10:15\nWK\nThanked WK. No comment.\nLooking forward to 11:30\nmeeting.\nScott\n10:44\nWK\nTook information. No comment\nGeneral approval of the way things\nwere going so far.\nThurmond\n10:30\nWK\nNo comment. Asked if South\nVietnamese Air Force could\nget heavy equipment out.\nFORD A RALD LIBRAR or\nCase\n10:35\nWK\nNot available. Gave information to AA\n(Frances Henderson) who said it would be\ntransmitted to Senator Case as soon as he\narrived.\nMcClellan\n10:05\nRKW\nJust want to make sure all Americans get out\nStennis\n10:00\nRKW\nNo comment\nEastland\n10:08\nRKW\nThis means they will occupy Saigon. Tragic.\nHumphrey\n10:45\nWK\n(at request of\nHe thanked for a very complete briefing.\nAppreciated Secretary's thoughtfulness.\nSec: Kissinger)\nFORD III O7 LIBRAR\nMEMBER:\nRep. Bob Michel\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:28 a. m.\nPLACE:\nAt his home in Washington, D. C.\nCONTACT:\nCharles Leppert spoke personally with Rep. Michel\nCOMMENTS:\nI guess that helo operations means the use of troops?\nYes, to secure landing zones.\nHow many?\nApproximately 1200 Marines will be used to secure the\nlanding zones. The operation will also have U.S.\ntactical air support.\nHow many do we have to get out?\nApproximately 900 Americans and some Vietnamese\npersonnel but primarily - 98% U.S. personnel.\nWhen will this take place?\nOperation will begin at approximately 12:45 to 1:00 a.m.\nour time tonight EDST.\nFORD IN LIBRANT RALD of\nMEMBER:\nRep. Thomas E. Morgan\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:42 a. m.\nPLACE:\nIn Washington, D. C.\nCONTACT:\nCharles Leppert spoke with Rep. Morgan personally.\nCOMMENTS:\nGoing to use helicopters?\nYes.\nThat's too bad because I have that resolution on\nhumanitarian and evacuation aid up tomorrow.\nI wish it could have been delayed another day at least.\nR. FORD LIST\nMEMBER:\nRep. Thomas P. \"Tip\" O'Neill\nDATE:\n4/29/75\nTIME:\n12:49 a.m.\nPLACE:\nWashington, D.C.\nCONTACT:\nCharles Leppert talked personally with Rep. O'Neill\nCOMMENTS:\nHow many Americans do we have to get out?\nApproximately 900 Americans with some Vietnamese.\nHow many Vietnamese did we get out today?\nDo not know the number taken out today but we have\nevacuated approximately 38, 000 who are staged at\nSubic Bay, Guam and Wake Island.\nDo you expect some problems ?\nWe do expect some problems but are using approximately\n1200 Marines and U.S. tactical air-support to secure the\noperation.\n\"That's too bad that we have to go this route. \"\n\"Charlie, tell the President thank you for informing me. 1\nALD LIBRA ? FORD\nMemo to President, (short\none) re:conversation memo\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 29, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE PRESIDENT\nFROM:\nJACK MARSH\nThis is the final conversation guide used by the Cong-\nressional people in conferring by phone with the Leader-\nship.\nFORD & LIBRARY RALO\nGE\nThe air evacuation by helicopter which you were advised of last night is still\nunderway and is expected to be completed by about mid-day.\nThe evacuation is located principally at two places: the airport and the Embassy\ncomplex. It is understood that the airport evacuation is being completed and\nsecurity forces are being withdrawn from there. Approximately 35 Americans\nwere removed by boat from Can Tho in the Delta when the evacuation began.\nAt this time the evacuation is continuing from the Embassy where it is estimated\nabout 2,000 persons are scheduled to be airlifted, of which about 200 are American\nevacuees and approximately 200 are security forces.\nSince the evacuation began, it has been learned that the number of Vietnamese\nrepresent a substantial portion of those leaving. Any figures that we now have\nare merely estimated. However, at the Leadership Meeting which you are invited\nto attend at 11: 30, you will be given more precise figures on evacuees including\nAmericans and Vietnamese.\nFORD & LIBRARY RALE\n-2-\nThe local situation in Saigon at the time of the evacuation necessitated a change\nin evacuation plans to include substantially larger numbers of Vietnamese than\noriginally estimated last night.\nInsofar as U.S. casualties are concerned, these include the two U.S. Marines that\nwere killed earlier yesterday before the evacuation began, and a fighter bomber is\nreported to be lost into the sea but the circumstances of its crash have not been\ndetermined insofar as hostile action is concerned. With these two exceptions,\nthere are no other U.S. casualties.\nFORD & LIBRA\nMemo to Kissinger re:\nconversation guide\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 29, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nSECRETARY KISSINGER\nFROM:\nJACK MARSH\nThis is the final conversation guide used by the Cong-\nressional people in conferring by phone with the Leader-\nship.\nRALD LERAM ? FORD\nE\nThe air evacuation by helicopter which you were advised of last night is still\nunderway and is expected to be completed by about mid-day.\nThe evacuation is located principally at two places: the airport and the Embassy\ncomplex. It is understood that the airport evacuation is being completed and\nsecurity forces are being withdrawn from there. Approximately 35 Americans\nwere removed by boat from Can Tho in the Delta when the evacuation began.\nAt this time the evacuation is continuing from the Embassy where it is estimated\nabout 2,000 persons are scheduled to be airlifted, of which about 200 are American\nevacuees and approximately 200 are security forces.\nSince the evacuation began, it has been learned that the number of Vietnamese\nrepresent a substantial portion of those leaving. Any figures that we now have\nare merely estimated. However, at the Leadership Meeting which you are invited\nto attend at 11: 30, you will be given more precise figures on evacuees including\nAmericans and Vietnamese.\n07 R. FORD LIB\n-2-\nThe local situation in Saigon at the time of the evacuation necessitated a change\nin evacuation plans to include substantially larger numbers of Vietnamese than\noriginally estimated last night.\nInsofar as U.S. casualties are concerned, these include the two U.S. Marines that\nwere killed earlier yesterday before the evacuation began, and a fighter bomber is\nreported to be lost into the sea but the circumstances of its crash have not been\ndetermined insofar as hostile action is concerned. With these two exceptions,\nthere are no other U.S. casualties.\nFORD OF A LIBRA 0\nStatement by the\nPresident, April 29, 1975\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\nAPRIL 29, 1975\nOffice of the White House Press Secretary\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nSTATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT\nDuring the past week, I had ordered the reduction of American personnel in\nthe United States mission in Saigon to levels that could be quickly evacuated\nduring an emergency, while enabling that mission to continue to fulfill its duties\nDuring the day on Monday, Washington time, the airport at Saigon came under\npersistent rocket as well as artillery fire and was effectively closed. The\nmilitary situation in the area deteriorated rapidly.\nI, therefore, ordered the evacuation of all American personnel remaining in\nSouth Viet Nam.\nThe evacuation has been completed. I commend the personnel of the Armed\nForces who accomplished it, as well as Ambassador Graham Martin and the\nstaff of his mission who served so well under difficult conditions.\nThis action closes a chapter in the American experience. I ask all Americans\nto close ranks, to avoid recrimination about the past, to look ahead to the\nmany goals we share and to work together on the great tasks that remain to\nbe accomplished.\n#\n#\n#\nRALD LIBRA A. FORD\nLtr. from Presiden to\nSpeaker & President Pro\nTem. 4/30/75\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 30, 1975\nDear Mr. President:\nOn April 4, 1975, I reported that U.S. naval vessels had\nbeen ordered to participate in an international humanitarian\nrelief effort to transport refugees and U.S. nationals to\nsafety from Danang and other seaports in South Vietnam.\nThis effort was undertaken in response to urgent appeals\nfrom the Government of South Vietnam and in recognition of\nthe large-scale violations by the North Vietnamese of the\nAgreement Ending the War and Restoring the Peace in Vietnam.\nIn the days and weeks that followed, the massive North\nVietnamese attacks continued. As the forces of the Government\nof South Vietnam were pushed further back toward Saigon, we\nbegan a progressive withdrawal of U.S. citizens and their\ndependents in South Vietnam, together with foreign nationals\nwhose lives were in jeopardy.\nOn April 28, the defensive lines to the northwest and south\nof Saigon were breached. Tan Son Nhut Airfield and Saigon\ncame under increased rocket attack and for the first time\nreceived artillery fire. NVA forces were approaching within\nmortar and anti-aircraft missile range. The situation at\nTan Son Nhut Airfield deteriorated to the extent that it\nbecame unusable. Crowd control on the airfield was breaking\ndown and the collapse of the Government forces within Saigon\nappeared imminent. The situation presented a direct and\nimminent threat to the remaining U.S. citizens and their\ndependents in and around Saigon.\nOn the recommendation of the American Ambassador there, I\nordered U.S. military forces to proceed by means of rotary\nwing aircraft with an emergency final evacuation out of\nconsideration for the safety of U.S. citizens.\nIn accordance with my desire to keep the Congress fully\ninformed on this matter, and taking note of the provision\nof section 4 of the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148),\nI wish to report to you that at about 1:00 A.M. EDT,\nApril 29, 1975, U.S. forces entered South Vietnam airspace.\n10 R. FORD LTC\n2-\nA force of 70 evacuation helicopters and 865 Marines\nevacuated about 1400 U.S. citizens, together with\napproximately 5500 third country nationals and South\nVietnamese, from landing zones in the vicinity of the\nU.S. Embassy, Saigon, and the Defense Attache Office at\nTan Son Nhut Airfield. The last elements of the ground\nsecurity force departed Saigon at 7:46 P.M. EDT April 29,\n1975. Two crew members of a Navy search and rescue\nhelicopter are missing at sea. There are no other known\nU.S. casualties from this operation, although two U.S.\nMarines on regular duty in the compound of the Defense\nAttache Office at Tan Son Nhut Airfield had been killed\non the afternoon (EDT) of April 28, 1975, by rocket attacks\ninto a refugee staging area. U.S. fighter aircraft provided\nprotective air cover for this operation, and for the with-\ndrawal by water of a few Americans from Can Tho, and in one\ninstance suppressed North Vietnamese anti-aircraft artillery\nfiring upon evacuation helicopters as they departed. The\nground security forces on occasion returned fire during the\ncourse of the evacuation operation.\nThe operation was ordered and conducted pursuant to the\nPresident's Constitutional executive power and his authority\nas Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Armed Forces.\nThe United States Armed Forces performed a very difficult\nmission most successfully. Their exemplary courage and\ndiscipline are deserving of the nation's highest grati\nSincerely,\nGERALD R. FORD\nThe Honorable James O. Eastland\nPresident Pro Tempore of the Senate\nUnited States Senate\nWashington, D. C.\n&\nFORD\nHALD\nLIBRA\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 30, 1975\nDear Mr. Speaker:\nOn April 4, 1975, I reported that U.S. naval vessels had\nbeen ordered to participate in an international humanitarian\nrelief effort to transport refugees and U.S. nationals to\nsafety from Danang and other seaports in South Vietnam.\nThis effort was undertaken in response to urgent appeals\nfrom the Government of South Vietnam and in recognition of\nthe large-scale violations by the North Vietnamese of the\nAgreement Ending the War and Restoring the Peace in Vietnam.\nIn the days and weeks that followed, the massive North\nVietnamese attacks continued. As the forces of the Government\nof South Vietnam were pushed further back toward Saigon, we\nbegan a progressive withdrawal of U.S. citizens and their\ndependents in South Vietnam, together with foreign nationals\nwhose lives were in jeopardy.\nOn April 28, the defensive lines to the northwest and south\nof Saigon were breached. Tan Son Nhut Airfield and Saigon\ncame under increased rocket attack and for the first time\nreceived artillery fire. NVA forces were approaching within\nmortar and anti-aircraft missile range. The situation at\nTan Son Nhut Airfield deteriorated to the extent that it\nbecame unusable. Crowd control on the airfield was breaking\ndown and the collapse of the Government forces within Saigon\nappeared imminent. The situation presented a direct and\nimminent threat to the remaining U.S. citizens and their\ndependents in and around Saigon.\nOn the recommendation of the American Ambassador there, I\nFORD A RALD LIBRARY\nordered U.S. military forces to proceed by means of rotary\nwing aircraft with an emergency final evacuation out of\nconsideration for the safety of U.S. citizens.\nIn accordance with my desire to keep the Congress fully\ninformed on this matter, and taking note of the provision\nof section 4 of the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148),\nI wish to report to you that at about 1:00 A.M. EDT,\nApril 29, 1975, U.S. forces entered South Vietnam airspace.\n-2-\nA force of 70 evacuation helicopters and 865 Marines\nevacuated about 1400 U.S. citizens, together with\napproximately 5500 third country nationals and South\nVietnamese, from landing zones in the vicinity of the\nU.S. Embassy, Saigon, and the Defense Attache Office at\nTan Son Nhut Airfield. The last elements of the ground\nsecurity force departed Saigon at 7:46 P.M. EDT April 29,\n1975. Two crew members of a Navy search and rescue\nhelicopter are missing at sea. There are no other known\nU.S. casualties from this operation, although two U.S.\nMarines on regular duty in the compound of the Defense\nAttache Office at Tan Son Nhut Airfield had been killed\non the afternoon (EDT) of April 28, 1975, by rocket attacks\ninto a refugee staging area. U.S. fighter aircraft provided\nprotective air cover for this operation, and for the with-\ndrawal by water of a few Americans from Can Tho, and in one\ninstance suppressed North Vietnamese anti-aircraft artillery\nfiring upon evacuation helicopters as they departed. The\nground security forces on occasion returned fire during the\ncourse of the evacuation operation.\nThe operation was ordered and conducted pursuant to the\nPresident's Constitutional executive power and his authority\nas Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Armed Forces.\nThe United States Armed Forces performed a very difficult\nmission most successfully. Their exemplary courage and\ndiscipline are deserving of the nation's highest gratitude.\nSincerely,\nGERALD R. FORD\nThe Honorable\nThe Speaker\nUnited States House of Representatives\nWashington, D. C. 20515\nA\nFORD\n5\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 30, 1975\nTo:\nJohn Marsh\nGeneral Scowcroft\nFrom: Phil Buchen\nAttached is a copy of my\nredraft -- for our 12:45\nmeeting.\nFORD\n&\nRALD 35\nLIBRARY\nOn 4 April 1975, I reported that US naval vessels had\nbeen ordered to participate in an international humanitarian\nrelief effort to transport refugees and US nationals to\nsafety from Danang and other seaports in South Vietnam.\nThis effort was undertaken in response to urgent appeals\nfrom the Government of South Vietnam and in recognition of\nthe large-scale violations by the North Vietnamese of the\nAgreement Ending the War and Restoring the Peace in Vietnam.\nIn the days and weeks that followed, the massive North\nVietnamese attacks continued. As the forces of the Government\nof South Vietnam were pushed further back toward Saigon, a\ndrawdown of US personnel and their dependents was conducted.\nOn 28 April, the defensive lines to the northwest and\nsouth of Saigon were breached. Tan Son Nhut Airfield and\nSaigon came under increased rocket fire and for the first\ntime received artillery fire. NVA forces were approaching\nwithin mortar and anti-aircraft missile range, The situation\nat Tan Son Nhut Airfield deteriorated to the extent that the\nairfield was unusable. Crowd control on the airfield was\nbreaking down and the collapse of the Government forces\nwithin Saigon appeared imminent.\nNotwithstanding the use of diplomatic and other means\nto terminate the conflict, the situation presented a direct\nand imminent threat to the remaining US citizens and their\ndependents in and around Saidon. In view of this situation, and on the\nrecommendation of the American Ambassador there, I ordered U. S.\nFORD A. LIBRAR RALD\n-2-\nmilitary to proceed by means of rotary wing aircraft with an emergency\nfinal evacuation out of consideration for the safety of U.S. citizens.\nIn accordance with my desire to keep the Congress fully informed\non this matter, and taking note of the provision of section 4 of the War\nPowers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), I wish to report to you that at\nabout 1:00 AM EDT, 29 April 1975, US armed forces rotary wing aircraft\nentered South Vietnam airspace. Preliminary reports indicate that\napproximately 70 helicopters protected by an armed security force of about\n850 Marines evacuated nearly 1400 US citizens, together with approximately\n5500 third country nationals and South Vietnamese from landing zones in the\nvicinity of the US Embassy, Saigon, and the Defense Attache Office at\nTan Son Nhut Airfield. The last elements of the ground security force\ndeparted Saigon at 7:46 PM EDT 29 April 1975. Two crew members of a\nNavy search and I escue helicopter are missing at sea. There are no other\nknown US casualties, from this operation, although two US marines on regular\nduty in the compound of the Defense Attache Office at Tan Son Nhut Airfield\nand not equipped for combat, had been killed on the afternoon (EDT) of 28\nApril 1975, by rocket attacks into a refugee staging area. US fighter aircraft\nwere tasked to support the operation and in one instance were required to\nsilence North Vietnamese anti-aircraft artillery firing upon the civilian\nladen helicopters as they departed. The ground security force was required\nR. FORD <<\nto return fire during their extraction.\nThe operation was ordered and conducted pursuant to the President's\nConstitutional executive power and authority as Commander-in-Chief of US\nArmed Forces.\n-3-\nThe United States Armed Forces performed their difficult mission\nmost successfully and have once again earned the nation's gratitude.\nRALD LISE II FORD\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 30, 1975\nTo:\nJohn Marsh\nGeneral Scowcroft\nFrom:\nPhil Buchen\nAttached is a copy of the\nmaterial we will be discussing\nwith Martin Hoffmann and\nMonroe Leigh at 12:45 today.\nHope you can attend, or can\nsend someone.\nGERALD RALD GE A. FORD BRARM\nREQUEST/RECEIPT FOR LDX TRANSMISSION\n300\nADDRESSEE: PLSE ENTER STATION, TOR.\nCC STATION SERIAL NUMBER\nOPERATORS SIGNATURE AND RETURN TO NMCC:\nTIME PROCESSED NMGC\nFROM:\n30 APR75 75 AS\nTOR:\nNAME:\n'75 ADD 30 AM 9:24\nTO BE FILLED IN BY REQUESTER\nFROM: Col Jane Finkelstein\nOFFICE/DESK: OCTCS\nPHONE NR: 0X7-1309\nTO:\nWHITE HOUSE M-76 Philis Buchen\nDIA (PENT)\nCabinet Rame adviser\nSTATE DEPT mr. monre 302\nDIA (ARL HALL)\nsegal advisor\nCIA\n632-9598\nDNA\nNSA\nNPIC (NAVY YARD)\nANMCC\nSPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS\nCLASSIFICATION none\nPAGES\n3\nOn 4 April 1975, I reported that US naval vessels had\nbeen ordered to participate in an international humanitarian\nrelief effort to transport refugees and US nationals to\nsafety from Danang and other seaports in South Vietnam.\nThis effort was undertaken in response to urgent appeals\nfrom the Government of South Vietnam and in recognition of\nthe large-scale violations by the North Vietnamese of the\nAgreement Ending the War and Restoring the Peace in Vietnam.\nIn the days and weeks that followed, the massive North\nVietnamese attacks continued. As the forces of the Government\nof South Vietnam were pushed further back toward Saigon, a\ndrawdown of US personnel and their dependents was conducted.\nOn 28 April, the defensive lines to the northwest and\nsouth of Saigon were breached. Tan Son Nhut Airfield and\nSaigon came under increased rocket fire and for the first\ntime received artillery fire. NVA forces were approaching\nwithin mortar and anti-aircraft missile range. The situation\nat Tan Son Nhut Airfield deteriorated to the extent that the\nairfield was unusable. Crowd control on the airfield was\nbreaking down and the collapse of the Government forces\nwithin Saigon appeared imminent.\nNotwithstanding the use of diplomatic and other means\nto terminate the conflict, the situation presented a direct\nand imminent threat to the remaining US citizens and their\ndependents.\nFORD TOT A LIBRA\nIn accordance with my desire to keep the Congress fully\ninformed on this matter, and taking note of the provision of\nsection 4 of the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148),\nI wish to report to you that I ordered the US Armed Forces\nto evacuate US nationals and dependents of US nationals,\ntogether with foreign nationals, including South Vietnamesc\nto whose lives a direct and imminent threat existed and who\ncould be accommodated by the operation. At about 1:00 AM\nEDT, 29 April 1975, US armed forces rotary wing aircraft\nentered South Vietnam airspace. Preliminary reports indicate\nthat approximately 70 helicopters protected by an armed\nsecurity force of about 850 Marines evacuated nearly 1400 US\ncitizens, together with approximately 5500 third country\nnationals and South Vietnamese from landing zones in the\nvicinity of the US Embassy, Saigon, and the Defense Attache\nOffice at Tan Son Nhut. The last elements of the ground\nsecurity force departed Saigon at 7:46 PM EDT 29 April 1975.\nTwo US Marines were killed in the early afternoon (EDT) of\n28 April 1975 as a result of North Vietnamese rocket attacks\non refugee staging area in the Defense Attache Office compound.\nTwo crew members of a Navy search and rescue helicopter are\nmissing at sea. There are no other known US casualties. US\nfighter aircraft were tasked to support the operation and in\none instance were required to silence North Vietnamese anti-\naircraft artillery firing upon the civilian laden helicopters\nas they departed. The ground security force was required to\na\nFORD\nreturn fire during their extraction.\n10\nBRAS\n2\nThe reason for the introduction of US military forces\nequipped for combat into the Saigon area was to bring about\nthe evacuation of US citizens and their dependents, together\nwith certain other alien noncombatants whose lives were\ndirectly and imminently threatened. The operation was\nordered and conducted pursuant to the President's Constitutional\nexecutive power and authority as Commander-in-Chief of US\nArmed Forces.\nIn the proud tradition of professionalism that has\ncharacterized their performance in Southeast Asia and elsewhere,\nthe United States Armed Forces performed the difficult and\nhazardous mission with discrimination and dispatch. They\nhave once again earned the nation's gratitude.\nFORD & LIBRA RALD\n3\nMemo for the Files\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nApril 29, 1975\nMEMORANDUM FOR:\nTHE FILES\nFROM:\nJACK MARSH\nur\nThe attached is a conversation summary of the information\nconveyed through the Congressional Relations Staff for the\npurpose of advising Congressional Leaders on the Saigon\nevacuation. Attached also is a draft of a memo prepared\nby the National Security Council several days previously\nand passed out on the evening of the notification.\nRALD LIST H. FORD\nThe President has asked me to advise you that he has ordered the evacuation of\nall Americans located in the Saigon area.\nTo accomplish this, a helicopter lift from carriers off-shore will begin on or about\n12: 45 a.m. and will proceed to two major landing zones in the Saigon area after a\nflight of approximately 25 to 30 minutes. The two landing areas are the U.S.\nEmbassy and Tan Son Nhut Airport.\nIt is expected there will be evacuated approximately 900 U.S. Nationals and\npossibly some Vietnamese incidental to the lift, but it will principally evacuate\nAmericans at the two sites.\nTo assist in this operation will be approximately 1, 200 U.S. Marines who will\nhave the task of securing the landing zones. The airlift and evacuation will be\nprovided tactical air support and is expected that its duration will be from two and\none half to four hours from liftoff time if all goes well.\nFor your information, there is a 12 hour time difference with Saigon and it is\nalso requested that you keep a close hold on this information for at least one\nhour after this call.\nComment: In the event you are asked as to why there are news reports on the\nevacuation, you may indicate it is your understanding that local correspondents\nin Saigon intercepted radio transmissions from the Embassy to the contigent at the\nAirport and reported through press means the information learned from these\ntransmissions.\nFORD A LIBR 07.\n1. Lift begin About 1:00 Am\nS\n2 Embassy compound\nl\n3, Other\n4, U.S.A App. 900/total 14+\n5 4.3. canins\n> C. usme seem lady 20ml\n7. Tactical air spt.\nY\n8. Only\n9. 2 1/2 - 3hrs. if Gas was\n10, Possible oulnde - 1200\n11, 12 has, difference.\nFORD A ETC RALD\nn. 25min frt.\n13. Close hold// hr."
}