On this day 45 years ago, the Marine Corps aided – both on ground and in the air – in the successful evacuation from Saigon, South Vietnam during Operation Frequent Wind. | U.S. Marine Corps

Considered by many to be the 30 most dangerous hours on board the aircraft carrier USS Midway, Operation Frequent Wind was one of the largest rescue missions in U.S. history. As the communist-led North Vietnamese Army invaded Saigon, the U.S. Navy was called in to rescue thousands of South Vietnamese citizens trapped in the capital city. Waiting for them on the USS Midway were Cmdr. Vern Jumper and Capt. Larry Chambers, who worked tirelessly to save thousands of lives. On Sunday, April 27, 2025,