USS Midway’s Life-Saving Decision During Saigon Evacuation Pivotal in 1975

San Diego, California – On April 29, 1975, in a moment fraught with tension and uncertainty, Captain Larry Chambers of the USS Midway faced a daunting choice. As the US Navy aircraft carrier assisted in Operation Frequent Wind, the helicopter evacuation of Saigon, North Vietnamese forces threatened the city’s fall, leaving thousands of lives hanging in the balance.

Chambers, aware that his orders could cost him his career, commanded his crew to clear the flight deck to accommodate a desperate South Vietnamese pilot, Major Buang-Ly. Circling the carrier with his wife and five children, Major Buang needed room to land his small Cessna Bird Dog, fearing capture by the advancing communists.

“I figured, well, if he’s brave enough to think another idiot would clear the deck, I’d risk it,” Chambers recalled. With helicopters worth millions in military equipment at stake, Chamber’s altruism reflected his commitment to saving lives over preserving costly hardware.

As chaos broke out on the flight deck, crew members pushed military helicopters into the South China Sea to create a landing space for the Cessna. Simultaneously, Major Buang, who had no radio, dropped a handwritten note requesting assistance. In one attempt, Buang’s note successfully reached the ship, pleading for a runway to land safely.

Despite the risk of facing disciplinary action, Chambers remained steadfast in his decision. “Life came before hardware,” he stated. The urgency of the situation pushed him to direct his crew to clear the deck while anticipating his superior officers’ repercussions.

Once the deck was prepared, Major Buang landed the Cessna on the USS Midway, leaving crew members exuberant as they rushed to secure the family’s safety. “He’s probably the bravest son of a bitch I’ve run into in my whole life,” Chambers exclaimed, recognizing the incredible risk taken by the pilot.

This act of heroism amidst the turmoil marked a significant moment during the fall of Saigon, which represented the ending of a devastating chapter for both the United States and Vietnam. The details surrounding Major Buang’s attempt to escape encapsulate the desperation felt by countless individuals as the North Vietnamese forces closed in.

As the anniversary of this pivotal historical event approaches, reflections on the U.S. involvement in Vietnam and its lasting impact remain prevalent, along with stories of bravery and sacrifice that defined those final hours.