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The Fall of Saigon The End of the Vietnam War and the Fall of Saigon came unexpectedly and went badly. South Vietnam collapsed in 1975, surprising most observers.
Predictions were in error
 Heavy North Vietnamese bombardment and a deserting South Vietnamese pilot who dumped his ordnance on the runways of the Saigon Airport foiled plans for an airlift.
We were not prepared
The evacuation culminated in Operation Frequent Wind, the largest helicopter evacuation in history and included most Americans. An additional 2000 orphans were saved in Operation Babylift. 
A million refugees crowded Saigon
The North Vietnamese Army pushed the South Vietnamese Army into the sea and began their final attack on Saigon on April 29, 1975.
Chaos Ensued
The flight of refugees included 300,000 from Danang and more from the rest of the country.
Tens of Thousands left behind
 By April 30, North Vietnamese soldiers occupied Saigon and raised their flag over the presidential palace. South Vietnam capitulated.
Thousands tortured and murdered
An orderly departure proved impossible. Operation New Life evacuated over 100,000 Vietnamese refugees. Additional South Vietnamese civilians gathered outside the embassy and scaled the walls.
Desperate People
Clinging to helicopters leaving the US Embassy
Desperate to Live
Helicopters ditched and pushed over the sides of awaiting Aircraft Carriers
Desperate to Survive
Mothers throwing their babies over the the Embassy wall into the arms of GIs
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Don't You Think We Should’ve Learned Somehow |
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