SIoux Falls, SD. (Dakota News Now) — This week marked the 50th anniversary of the conclusion of the Vietnam War, observed nationwide. A nearby Navy veteran participated in the celebrations held in San Diego.
Paul Millman, who hails from Flandreau but currently resides in Sioux Falls, served in the Navy with his sibling onboard the USS Midway. He remained on active duty for four years before transitioning to reserves, where he stayed for an additional nineteen years.
The Midway played a crucial part in what was known as Operation Frequent Wind during the final days of the conflict.
“Word came down about an urgent recall of everyone, so we had to head straight back to the ship without knowing why,” Millman stated.
To emulate both his father and his elder sibling who had served, Millman enlisted in the Navy after high school. The fact that he wasn’t keen on attending college only made this choice more straightforward for him.
“I simply made up my mind to leave the farm, explore different parts of the globe, earn some money, and discover what lay beyond,” Millman stated.
Following his training at the Great Lakes facility, he connected with his sibling aboard the USS Midway, where his brother served in an F-4 squadron while Paul was stationed as part of the ship’s crew tasked with managing weaponry and various supplies.
Paul Millman’s existence was permanently altered in April of 1975. During the initial part of his tour aboard the USS Midway, he traveled between Japan and the Philippines.
He said it was unremarkable until Operation Frequent Wind occurred.
“Captain Lawrence Chambers, who was in command of the Midway, arrived aboard and informed us that we were heading towards Saigon. He also mentioned that we could potentially be part of an evacuation effort, but this did not seem very significant at the time,” Millman elaborated.
They were ten miles offshore from Saigon when the North Vietnamese advanced southward. This mission had become crucially important for numerous individuals in southern Vietnam.
Throughout the night, helicopters ferried refugees from the U.S. Embassy to three different vessels, rescuing as many people as possible. The Midway ship alone received more than 3,000 individuals. Each person was provided with an area where they could relax during their transit to the United States, “finding places to sleep wherever there was a flat surface.” According to Millman, the aircraft frequently operated beyond standard limits, carrying between 50 and 60 South Vietnamese evacuees per flight.
“It was quite profound because these individuals were escaping the oppression imposed by the North Vietnamese. If they had remained behind, their lives would have been at stake. So, when they approached us and embraced us out of sheer gratitude, it was evident how thankful they were. I’ve never encountered such heartfelt appreciation,” Millman remembered.
Millman continued, “We liberated those people. They’re alive today, not because of me, but because of the U.S. Military forces and the decisions that were made. It wasn’t political. It was humanitarian.”
One of the final groups of evacuees to leave aboard the Midway was remembered by Millman on April 30th of that year.
“According to Millman, a South Vietnamese Major appropriated a so-called ‘bird dog,’ which is an observation aircraft designed for two individuals. He then loaded up his wife and all five of his children into the plane and fled from South Vietnam.”
The South Vietnamese Major piloted his aircraft over the Midway and released messages requesting permission to touch down. He explained that both his family and limited fuel were significant concerns, indicating they could barely make another hour airborne. In response, numerous helicopters were moved aside to create space for the major’s safe landing.
[Captain Lawrence Chambers] issued the call, and an astounding 2000 sailors gathered onto the flight deck. Even now, he admits uncertainty about exactly how many were involved,” Millman recounted. “He insists he could testify honestly that he has absolutely no clue. This marked the very first—and ultimately the only—occasion when a small reconnaissance aircraft without a tailhook for catching wires managed to land aboard an aircraft carrier. To assist this unusual landing, we oriented ourselves against the wind, thereby increasing headwind speed over the bow to help decelerate the craft.
Fifty years later
, an
anniversary ceremony
The gathering at the USS Midway attracted a crowd. Veterans as well as ex-South Vietnamese refugees traveled to California for the event.
Individuals who had been passengers on the ship, including those who were children back then, came together again.
“We didn’t identify any of them, and with 4,000 men aboard the ship, I’m not sure if they identified any of us either, but it wasn’t significant. The amount of embraces we received on Sunday surpassed those at a family gathering,” Millman stated.
Paul Millman’s life might have been transformed permanently that April, but whenever he reflects on his service, it reminds him of the impact he had on the refugees’ lives.
“I truly hope everyone can have an opportunity to experience this in some form. It genuinely provides a sense of satisfaction knowing that our nation achieved something remarkable,” Millman stated.
When individuals express gratitude to veterans for their service, Millman noted that this gesture holds immense significance for them. He wishes that future generations will be taught to extend such thanks to veterans as well.
During the event, 96-year-old retired Rear Admiral Lawrence Chambers attended to deliver remarks. Milliman arranged to meet up with his sibling and an additional veteran from Idaho during this visit.
He referred to it as the most influential event he has ever attended.
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