The fall of Saigon fifty years later, and some untold stories

The fall of Saigon fifty years later, and some untold stories

By Lynda Carson - April 30, 2025

Today, April 30, 2025, is the 50th anniversary since the fall of Saigon in Vietnam, when the American war criminals were run out of the country. As a result there still are many unknown, and untold stories about the American war against the Vietnamese, that still need to be told.


During the fall of Saigon in 1975, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway, CVA-41, off the coast of Vietnam in the Gulf of Tonkin, rescuing thousands of fleeing Vietnamese men, women, and children https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2021/07/19/18843813.php .

I can still recall the wild days as a teenage runaway in 1970 camping out at Circle Campus College https://images.chicagohistory.org/groupitem/1024/ in Chicago for "2 weeks" with the other protesters after the killing of 4 protesters occurred by the National Guard, at Kent State University. University of Illinois Circle campus students on strike following Kent State shootings.

Indeed. It was 50 years ago today that the American war against Vietnam ended, and the fall of Saigon occurred. However, the convicted felon President Donald J. Trump’s tariff trade war is presently threatening a 46% levy against Vietnam, that may shatter the country's economic potential.

One of the untold Vietnamese stories until now, may be found below.

"The Henry Kissinger Scheme To Rip Off 15 Tons Of Gold Shortly Only Days Before The Fall Of Saigon 50 Years Ago"

That's right! What you did not know is that shortly only days before the fall of Saigon 50 years ago, when the U.S. got its ass kicked and was run out of the country by the Vietnamese, the crooked war criminal Henry Kissinger and his associates had a scheme going on to rip off 15 tons of gold or more from the Vietnamese government, in a scheme code named “Gilded Exile.”

That’s right! The sneaky bastards scheme was to ship the 15 tons of gold to the Bank of International Settlements in Switzerland. However, to conceal their real crooked activities they decided to move the 15 tons of gold first to the Federal Reserve Bank, in New York, to avoid the swiss connection. Then they were to publicly claim that the move was in preparation for future arms and munitions purchases "IF required." Until now, this was one of the unknown stories about the American war against the Vietnamese.

Reportedly, in a New York Times story dated April 14, 1975, called "THIEU SAID TO TRY TO SEND OUT GOLD," https://www.nytimes.com/1975/04/14/archives/thieu-said-to-try-to-send-out-gold.html , in part it stated, "South Vietnamese officials tried to ship $73‐million worth of gold bullion— apparently belonging to President Nguyen Van Thieu and to Lon, Nol, the President of Cambodia — to Switzerland, Time magazine says in its current issue, which goes on sale today.

But Balair, a charter airline affiliated with Swissair, refused to transport the gold out of Saigon, the weekly magazine said.

According to the magazine, members of the South Vietnamese Government asked Balair agents late in March if they would be willing to ferry out “some personal belongings” of the Thieu family as well as personal effects of President Lon Nol, who is now in Hawaii seeking medical treatment.
When it was known that the belongings were 16 tons of gold, Balair refused to carry the shipment, the magazine said, adding that the airline was concerned the gold might be part of the official reserves of South Vietnam and Cambodia. The airline pointed out that the cargo might be inspected at refueling stops in Bangkok and Bahrain, the magazine said.

“At week's end the bullion was apparently still in Saigon, palletized and awaiting a more willing air carrier,” Time said.

The NYT and Times story about the gold, was not even close in regards to what was really going on that involved the war criminal Henry Kissinger.

"The Real Henry Kissinger Scheme To Rip Off 15 Tons Of Gold Shortly Only Days before The Fall Of Saigon 50 Years Ago!"

That's right, for the real story about what occurred with the gold, see a few leaked memos below...

According to a leaked memo dated April 15, 1975, called "GVN Gold Holdings," it stated, "1. ON APRIL 14 DPTY PRIMIN FOR ECONIMICS HAO AND GOV FOR NATIONAL
BANK OF VIETNAM UYEN INFORMED MINECON AND USAID DIR OF GVN
INTENTION TO SHIP 15 TONS OF GOLD REMAINING SAIGON TO THE BANK
OF INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS AS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE FOR SAFEKEEPING
AND READY AVAILABILITY FOR OVERNIGHT SALE IF NEEDED TO MEET FURTHER
REQUIREMENTS. 5 TONS ARE REPORTED TO BE HELD AT BASEL.

2. GVN CONCERNED THAT UTMOST SECRECY SURROUND THIS OPERATION;
HOWEVER, REUTERS DESPATCH HAS ALREADY PICKED UP INITIAL INQUIRIES
IN SWITZERLAND CONCERNING TRANSPORTATION AND INSURANCE ARRANGE-
MENTS. WE ARE ADVISING GVN TO SHIP TO FRB NY TO AVOID THE SWISS
CONNECTION AND THEN PUBLICLY TO ANNOUNCE THE MOVE IN PREPARATION
FOR FUTURE ARMS AND MUNITIONS PURCHASES IF REQUIRED.

3. REQUEST YOUR COMMENTS SOONEST ON ANY PROBLEMS, IF ANY,
OF FRB RECEIPT AND STORAGE AND YOUR ASSESSMENT OF IMPACT ON
CONGRESS OF CURRENT RUMORS CONCERNING GOLD MOVEMENTS AND
YOUR JUDGMENT OF THE EFFECT OF PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AS OUTLINED
ABOVE TO SQUELCH SPECULATION.

4. ALTHOUGH THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY
TOLD OF INTENTION TO MOVE GOLD TO BANK OF INTERNATIONAL
SETTLEMENTS IN SWITZERLAND, WE HAVE BEEN AWARE OF IT FOR SOME
TIME THROUGH SOURCES AVAILABLE TO US IN US.

5. THEREFORE, WE HOPE WASHINGTON WILL DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO HELP
CORRECT SUCH STORIES AS THAT APPEARING IN THIS WEEK'S TIME
MAGAZINE UNDER CAPTION "GILDED EXILE", ALLEGING PLOT TO MOVE
"THIEU-LON NOL GOLD" TO SWITZERLAND. WE UNDERSTAND STORY HAS
BEEN PICKED UP BY WIRE SERVICES AND WIDELY CARRIED. IT OBVIOUSLY
WILL BE VERY DAMAGING ON THE HILL. MARTIN UNQUOTE HENRY KISSINGER

Additionally, in another leaked memo dated April 17, 1975, called, "GVN Gold Holdings," it states, "1. REFERENCE: SAIGON 5000

WE PERCEIVE NO DIFFICULTIES IN SENDING GVN GOLD TO FRB NY.

FRB NY HAS AGREED TO RECEIVE AND STORE GOLD SHIPMENT. US
CUSTOMS WILL EXPEDITE ITS IMPORT IF PROVIDED SPECIFIC 2. WE PLAN TO MAKE NO ANNOUNCEMENT BUT IF ASKED WILL EITHER REFER TO GVN ANNOUNCEMENT OR IF QUERY IS PRIOR TO GVN ANNOUNCEMENT TO SAY THAT WE UNDERSTAND GOLD MOVEMENT IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE ARMS AND MUNITIONS PURCHASES.

HENRY KISSINGER

Another leaked memo dated April 17, 1975, called "GVN Gold Holdings," stated, "1. GRATEFUL FOR INFORMATION CONTAINED IN REFTEL.

2. UNDERSTAND STATEMENT THAT "WE PLAN TO MAKE NO ANNOUNCEMENT".
HOWEVER, IT MAY BE SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE FULL ARRANGEMENTS COMPLETED
AND GVN READY TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT. THIS WILL NOT BE IN TIME TO
EFFECT ENORMOUS DAMAGE "GILDED EXILE" STORY MAY HAVE DONE IN
CONGRESSIONAL MINDS. WE SUGGEST, THEREFORE, THAT YOU ALERT SEVERAL
FRIENDLY SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN TO THE FACTS THAT THIS STORY IS
TOTALLY FALSE AND THAT THE FACTS ARE, AS YOU SAY, THE GOLD MOVEMENT
IS IN PREPARATION TO THE FRB IN NEW YORK IN LIEU OF THE BANK OF INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS IN BASEL, SWITZERLAND, AND WOULD BE USED FOR
FUTURE ARMS AND AMMUNITION PURCHASES AND THAT THEIR DETERMINATION
TO USE THEIR LAST REMAINING GOLD RESERVES FOR FUTURE PURCHASES
OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION DISPLAYS THEIR DETERMINATION TO USE
ALL RESOURCES TO MAINTAIN THEIR FREEDOM.

3. MINECON HAS BEEN INFORMED BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT DECISION HAS BEEN MADE TO SHIP GOLD
TO FRB NEW YORK, BUT THE TIMING HAS NOT BEEN DECIDED.
WE WILL PROVIDE 48 HOURS NOTICE TO YOU TO EXECUTE."

In another leaked memo dated April 18, 1975, called "GVN Gold Holdings," it stated, "1. FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK INFORMED DEPARTMENT
IT RECEIVED ATTESTED TELEGRAM FROM CENTRAL BANK OF VIETNAM
REQUESTING APPROVAL TO SHIP GOLD TO FRB NEW YORK FOR
STORAGE. AFFIRMATIVE ANSWER SENT BY BANK THIS AFTERNOON.

2. WE JUST LEARNED FROM WORLD AIRWAYS THAT GVN REQUESTED
THEM TO FLY 18 TONS OF GOLD TO ZURICH.

3. WOULD APPRECIATE EMBASSY SEEK CLARIFICATION. HENRY KISSINGER

Additionally, in one last leaked memo dated April 17, 1975, called "Where Are Cambodia's Gold Reserves," it states, "1. WHEN I SAW KEUKY LIM ON APRIL 17 I ASKED HIM WHETHER
HE KNEW WHERE THE GKR HAD STORED THE COUNTRY'S GOLD
RESERVES WHICH AMOUNTED TO 69 MILLION DOLLARS AT CURRENT
MARKET VALUE. HE REPLIED THAT UNTIL RECENTLY THESE GOLD
RESERVES HAD BEEN KEPT IN THE VAULTS OF THE NATIONAL
BANGK IN PHNOM PENH. HE DID NOT KNOW WHETHER THEY WERE
STILL THERE AND REFUSED TO COMMENT ON THE NEWS STORIES
THAT CAMBODIA AND VIETNAMESE GOLD WAS ALLEGEDLY TO BE
FLOWN OUT OF SAIGON TO SWITZERLAND.

2. I AM REPORTING ON THIS SUBJECT IN THE EVENT THAT THE
QUESTION OF CAMBODIA'S GOLD RESERVES SHOULD EVER
BECOME AN ISSUE IN THE FUTURE. IN THIS CONNECTION I NOTE THAT THE GOVERNOR OF THE NATIONAL BANK WAS CHANGED IN LATE FEBURARY, AND THAT THE MOST RECENT INCUMBENT OF THE JOB WAS CONSIDERED ONE OF "LON NOL'S MEN."

The Fall of Saigon On April 30, 1975:

Below are some dates and titles to some other memos shortly before the fall of Saigon, and Vietnam 50 years ago that you may not be aware of.


Wed, 09 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES- APRIL 9, 1975

Wed, 09 Apr 1975
APRIL 9, THE 99TH DAY OF THE OFFENSIVE

Wed, 09 Apr 1975
REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE FOR REPLIES TO QUESTIONS REGARDING AIRLIFT OF VIET NAM ORPHANS TO US

Thu, 10 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Thu, 10 Apr 1975
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

Thu, 10 Apr 1975
EVACUATION OF PERSONS FROM CAMBODIA

Thu, 10 Apr 1975
APRIL 10, THE 100TH DAY OF THE OFFENSIVE

Thu, 10 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES- APRIL 10, 1975

Thu, 10 Apr 1975
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON AMERICANS MISSING IN VIETNAM

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
LATTER DAY SAINTS CMGIFS MEMBERS WITH CHURCH POSITIONS FOR EVACUATION FROM VIET-NAM


Fri, 11 Apr 1975
REFUGEES FROM SOUTH VIET-NAM AND CAMBODIA

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
BOMBING OF INDEPENDENCE PALACE

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
EAGLE PULL (U)

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
APRIL 11, THE 101ST DAY OF THE OFFENSIVE

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
EVACUATION OF KHMER ORPHANS

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES- APRIL 11, 1975

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
EVACUATION FROM PHNOM PENH

Fri, 11 Apr 1975
LIST OF ORPHANS

Sat, 12 Apr 1975
INFORMATION ON VIET-NAM RELIEF AND ADOPTION OF VIETNAMESE ORPHANS FOLLOWING DEPARTMENT OF STATE MESSAGE REPEATED TO YOU FOR MAXIMUM DISTRIBUTION THROUGH YOUR CHANNELS:

Sat, 12 Apr 1975
REFUGEES FROM CAMBODIA AND SOUTH VIET-NAM

Sat, 12 Apr 1975
OPERATION BABYLIFT - UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS

Sat, 12 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Sat, 12 Apr 1975
HIGHLIGHTS OF NVA OFFENSIVE--SUMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING NOON APRIL 12

Sat, 12 Apr 1975
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON AMERICANS MISSING IN VIETNAM

Sun, 13 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Sun, 13 Apr 1975
REFUGEES FROM CAMBODIA AND SOUTH VIETNAM

Sun, 13 Apr 1975
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON AMERICANS MISSING IN VIENTAM

Mon, 14 Apr 1975
HIGHLIGHTS OF NVA OFFENSIVE--SUMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING NOON APRIL 14

Tue, 15 Apr 1975
AIRLIFT

Tue, 15 Apr 1975
REQUEST TO EVACUATE AMERICAN CITIZENS REMAINING IN PHNOM PENH

Tue, 15 Apr 1975
REQUEST FOR MILITARY EVACUATION OF AMERICAN NEWSMEN FROM PHNOM PENH

Tue, 15 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Tue, 15 Apr 1975
FRENCH QUESTIONING OF U.S. CREDIBILITY AS AN ALLY

Tue, 15 Apr 1975
AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH EVACUATION PROCEDURES FOR U.S. PRESS CORPS UNDER "EAGLE PULL"

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
EVACUATION OF AMERICANS AND OTHER NATIONALS FROM PHNOM PENH WHO CHOSE TO STAY BEHIND ON APRIL 12

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
ALTERNATE PLAN TO EVACUATE AMERICAN CITIZENS REMAINING IN PHNOM PENH

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
VIETNAMESE RELATIVES OF US CITS: EVACUATION AND IMMIGRATION

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
HIGHLIGHTS OF NVA OFFENSIVE--SUMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING NOON APRIL 16

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
VIET-NAM VETERANS PLAN NEW APPEAL TO US CONGRESS

Wed, 16 Apr 1975
BABYLIFT

Thu, 17 Apr 1975
WHERE ARE CAMBODIA'S GOLD RESERVES?


Thu, 17 Apr 1975
RESPONSIVE MILITARY AND CIVIL AIRLIFT FOR SAIGON

Thu, 17 Apr 1975
US CREDIBILITY AS ALLY AFTER VIET-NAM

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
HIGHLIGHTS OF NVA OFFENSIVE-- SIMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING NOON APRIL 18

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
VIET-NAM EVACUATION

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
VIET-NAM EVACUATION

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
EVACUATION OF KEY VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
HIGHLIGHTS OF NVA OFFENSIVE-- SIMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING NOON APRIL 18

Fri, 18 Apr 1975
HARSH CRITICISM OF US ACTIONS IN VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA

Sat, 19 Apr 1975
PAROLE OF VIETNAMESE RELATIVES OF US CITIZENS OR PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIENS WHO ARE PETITION HOLDERS

Sat, 19 Apr 1975
EVACUATION OF VIETNAMESE

Sat, 19 Apr 1975
EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Sat, 19 Apr 1975
AMERICANS MISSING IN BAN ME THOUT

Sat, 19 Apr 1975
LST'S PARTICIPATING IN VIETNAM EVACUATION

Sat, 19 Apr 1975
AIRLIFT

Tue, 29 Apr 1975
LAST MESSAGE FROM SAIGON

Tue, 29 Apr 1975
LAST MESSAGE FROM SAIGON

Tue, 29 Apr 1975
AMERICANS IN JAIL

Tue, 29 Apr 1975
EVACUATION FROM SOUTH VIET-NAM AND CAMBODIA

Wed, 30 Apr 1975
AMERICANS CAPTURED IN BAN ME THUOT

Wed, 30 Apr 1975
NORWAY CONSIDERS RECOGNITION OF NEW SOUTH VIETNAM REGIME

Wed, 30 Apr 1975
PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT ON FALL OF SOUTH VIETNAM

Thu, 01 May 1975
WAR POWERS REPORT ON SAIGON EVACUATION

Thu, 01 May 1975
REQUEST BY SOUTH VIETNAMESE AMBASSASDOR TO IMMIGRATE TO UNITED STATES

Thu, 01 May 1975
DESERTERS

Thu, 01 May 1975
DESERTERS

Thu, 01 May 1975
GOJ'S REACTION TO SURRENDER OF SAIGON

Thu, 01 May 1975
EVACUATION FROM SAIGON

Thu, 01 May 1975
AMERICAN CITIZENS IN VIET-NAM




HIGHLIGHTS OF NVA OFFENSIVE-- SIMMARY FOR PERIOD ENDING NOON APRIL 18
Date:
1975 April 18, 09:44 (Friday)


1. GENERAL

ACTIVITY IN MOST OF MR3 FELL OFF DURING THE PAST 24
HOURS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SOME SPORADIC SHARP CLASHES IN
LONG KHANH AND LON AN PROVINCES, AND RAPID MOVEMENT BY NVA
FORCES TO COMPLETE THEIR CAPTURE OF NINH THUAN AND BINH THUAN
PROVINCES. MR3 HQ IS PRIMARILY CONCERNED WITH MAJOR NVA
BUILDUPS BOTH EAST OF BIEN HOA IN LONG KHANH AND SOUTHWEST
OF SAIGON IN LONG AN. ACTIVITY CONTINUED AT A MODERATE LEVEL

PAGE 02 SAIGON 05255 181043Z

IN THE DELTA, WITH THE ONLY MAJOR FIGHTING CONFINED TO NORTH-
EASTERN DINH TUONG PROVINCE.

2. MR3

AFTER OVERRUNNING PHAN RANG ON APRIL 16, THE NVA,
REPORTEDLY THE 3RD DIV AND PERHAPS ELEMENTS OF THE 320TH DIV.,
HAS MOVED RAPIDLY TO CAPTURE FOUR DISTRICTS IN BINH THUAN
PROVINCE, AND NOW POSES A SERIOUS IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PHAN THIET.
PHAN THIET IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE ABLE TO HOLD MORE THAN A FEW
DAYS.

MR3 HQ IS CONCERNED PRIMURILY WITH MAJOR NVA
BUILDUPS IN THE AREAS EAST OF BIEN HOA AND SOUTHWEST OF LONG
KHANH FOR WHAT APPEAR TO BE IMMINENT OFFENSIVES DIRECTED AT SAIGON
AND BIEN HOA. NVA UNITS WHICH APPEAR TO BE IN ORMOVING TOWARD
LONG KHANH NOW INCLUDE THE 325TH, 320B, AND 312TH NVA DIVISIONS,
AND ELEMENTS OF THE 341ST AND 7TH NVA DIVISIONS. THE 10TH
HAS BEEN FIXED ON HWY 20 IN LAM DONG HEADED FOR LONG KHANH.
IN LONG AN, A BUILDUP OF THE 5TH, 3RD, AND POSSIBLE THE 8TH NVA
DIVISIONS IS NOW GOING ON. IN TOTO, THERE ARE AT LEAST 6 NVA
DIVISIONS IN MR3 AND THIS NUMBER COULD GO TO TWELVE AS
ADDITIONAL UNITS ARRIVE AND ARE IDENTIFIED.

TWO BATALIONS OF THE 8TH REGT. OF THE 5TH ARVN
DIVISION WORKING WITH THE 3RD ARMORED BRIGADE TRYING TO CLEAR ROUTE 1
NEAR BIEN HOA-LONG KHANH BORDER WERE AMBUSHED THE MORNING OF
APRIL 17. THE ATTACK CONSISTED OF 200 ROUNDS OF MIXED ARTILLERY
AND MORTAR AND GROUND ASSAULTS. THE TWO BATTALIONS SUFFERED HEAVY
CASUALTIES AND WERE FORCED TO FALL BACK. THIS MARKES THE FIRST
MAJOR CONTACT INVOLVING THE 5TH ARVN DIVISION IN THE CURRENT OFFENSIV
E.

BIEN HOA AIRBASE TOOK SEVENTEEN ROUNDS IN FOUR ABF'S
IN THE PAST 24 HOURS. SEVEN OF THE ROUNDS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED
AS 130MM, AND REMAINING 10 ROUNDS HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.
THERE WAS NO DAMAGE REPORTED.

3. MR4

ACTIVITY IN THE DELTA CONTINUED AT A MODERATE LEVEL.

PAGE 03 SAIGON 05255 181043Z

THE MAJOR FOCUS OF ACTIVITY REMAINED NORTHEASTERN DINH TUONG
PROVINCE WHERE THREE LARGE CONTACTS NORTH AND NORTHWEST OF
BEN TRANH DISTRICT TOWN LEFT 49 NVA DEAD. GVN CASUALTIES WERE
ONE KILLED AND TWO WOUNDED.

NVA GUNNERS FIRED TWO 107MM ROCKETS AT BINH THUY
AIR BASE. NO DAMAGE WAS REPORTED.



EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION: ESTIMATED NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES

Date:1975 April 18, 07:30 (Friday)


TOTAL NUMBER OF POTENTIAL EVACUEES: 178,442
(APRIL 17 REPORT CORRECTED TO READ 178,980)

A. AMCIT EVACUEES: 3,582
1) DOD:
EMPLOYEES (CIVILIAN) (MINUS 7) 400

PAGE 02 SAIGON 05235 180811Z

EMPLOYEES (MILITARY) (MINUS 4) 174
DEPENDENTS (CIV. & MIL.) (MINUS 36) 68

2) OTHER USG:
EMPLOYEES (MINUS 29) 668
DEPENDENTS (MINUS 32) 68

3) RESIDENTS: (MINUS 30) 670

4) TRANSIENTS: 62

5) AMERICAN PRESS:
EMPLOYEES 82
DEPENDENTS 3

6) US CONTRACTORS:
DOD: (MINUS 56) 752
USAID (INCLUDES 38 VOLAGS) (MINUS 4) 237
CRA/MISSION WARDEN 38
DEPENDENTS (MINUS 14) 360
(DOD: 240)
(USAID: 3)
(CRA/MWO: 17)

B. ALIEN EVACUEES: 174,460
1) DEPENDENTS OF AMCITS (MINUS 351) 1,501
INCLUDES DEPENDENTS OF FOLLOWING CATEGORIES:
(DOD CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES 367)
(EMBASSY DIRECT HIRE 6)
(USIS DIRECT HIRE 1)
USAID DIRECT HIRE 22)
(DOD U.S. CONTRACTORS 994)
(USAID U.S. CONTRACTORS 68)
(MISSION WARDEN 43)

2) FOREIGN DIPLOMATIC MISSION 1,804

3) THIRD COUNTRY NATIONALS & USG EMPLOYEES:
EMPLOYEES: 14
DEPENDENTS 24

PAGE 03 SAIGON 05235 180811Z

4) TCNS - CONTRACTORS:
USAID:
EMPLOYEES (PLUS 48) 293
DEPENDENTS 35
DOD:
EMPLOYEES: 217
DEPENDENTS (MINUS 6) 300

5) TCN - PRESS:
EMPLOYEES 42
DEPENDENTS 3

6) US MISSION LOCAL NATIONAL EMPLOYEES:
17,600
ESTIMATED DEPENDENTS 150,000

7) ICCS 146

8) ALIENS WORKING FOR U.S. COMPANIES EXCLUDING DEPENDENTS
(INCLUDES 49 TCNS) 2,481

C. CHANGES SINCE APRIL 17, 1975 REPORT
AMCITS: MINUS 612
ALIENS: MINUS 326
TOTAL MINUS 538


In another wild unknown story in the American war against the Vietnamese, it is a story about the concealment of reward payments (money) that existed in 1973 to find Americans Missing in Action, MIAs, and the dead, called, "Rewards Program For Info On MIA's And Dead."

See below...


REWARDS PROGRAM FOR INFO ON MIA' S AND DEAD

Date: 1973 January 9, 04:46 (Tuesday)


B. JUN 73

1. REF A IMPLIES AN IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENT TO PUBLICIZE LOCALLY
THE CONSTRAINTS THAT MUST BE APPLIED TO THE MIA/ BNR REWARDS
PROGRAM ANNOUNCED BY AP RELEASE ON 1 JUNE 1973. TO THE BEST OF
OUR KNOWLEDGE, THE LOCAL MEDIA HAS NOT PUBLISHED ANY RELEASES
RELATING TO THE CURRENT U. S. REWARDS POLICY.

PAGE 02


2. THE CONSTRAINTS OUTLINED IN REF B ARE REALISTIC, BUT BY
THEIR NATURE THEY PRECLUDE REWARD PAYMENTS IN LAOS, AS U. S.
VISITATION TO CRASH/ GRAVE SITES IS REQUIRED. TO DATE, THE LPF
HAVE NOT GIVEN ANY INDICATION AS TO THE DEGREE OF U. S. PARTICIPA-
TION, IF ANY, THAT WILL BE PERMITTED DURING FUTURE CASUALTY
RESOLUTION ACTIVITIES.

3. IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO SURFACE THE REWARDS ISSUE IN THE
LOCAL LAO NEWS MEDIA AT THIS TIME, SINCE WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION
TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH ANY CONFIRMATION ACTION. ONCE THE PARA-
METERS OF CASUALTY RESOLUTION ACTIVITIES ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE
LAO PARTIES, WE CAN COORDINATE WITH JCRC IN ESTABLISHING A
REWARDS PROGRAM TAILORED TO THE LAOTIAN SITUATION.

4. PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS MENTIONED ABOVE, WHICH WILL NOT PERMIT
PRESENT PAYMENT OF REWARDS, COULD JEOPARDIZE EFFECTIVENESS OF
REWARD SYSTEM AT TIME WHEN IT WILL BE MORE MEANINGFUL. WE
THEREFORE RECOMMEND THAT SUBJECT OF REWARD PAYMENTS IN LAOS BE
PLAYED- DOWN TO EXTENT POSSIBLE IN FUTURE RELEASES. UNLESS
ADDRESSEES PERCEIVE OBJECTION, WE WILL NOT RELEASE ANY REWARD
INFORMATION TO LOCAL MEDIA.


Additionally, another unknown story in the war is the murky details about the "Divestiture of Air America," the dope running

"Air America Divestiture."

Air America: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/vietnam-war/real-life-air-america-the-cias-covert-airline-used-for-everything-including-drugsmuggling.html :

Reportedly, "Air America was an American passenger and cargo airline established in 1946 and covertly owned and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from 1950 to 1976. It supplied and supported covert operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, including allegedly providing support for drug smuggling in Laos https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099005/ ."

That's right! In another unknown story until now, about the American war against the Vietnamese, and its murky details, it is called the "Air America Divestiture."

See below...

"Air America Divestiture, memo." In part it states, "IN THIS REGARD WE ALSO WISH TO AVOID UNNECESSARY CONTROVERSY GROWING OUT OF POSSIBLE GAO INTERVENTION
AND NEWS MEDIA REPORTS."

See a leaked memo below dated November 2, 1974.

"AIR AMERICA DIVESTITURE"

Date: 1974 November 2, 01:18 (Saturday)


1. AS WE SEE IT, THERE ARE FOUR IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES THAT
WE MUST BEAR IN MIND IN ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE:

(A) THE FIRST OBVIOUSLY IS TO EFFECT AIR AMERICA DIVESTI-
TURE BY NO LATER THAN JUNE 30, 1975, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
GUIDELINES SET BY THE CONGRESS.

(B) THE SECOND IS TO PROVIDE FOR SATISFACTORY AIR SERVICES
FOR THE U.S. MISSION AT THE LOWEST POSSIBLE COST AFTER AIR
AMERICA STANDS DOWN.

(C) THE THIRD IS TO ARRANGE FOR THE FOLLOW-ON CONTRACTS
IN A MANNER WHICH WILL BE MOST ACCEPTABLE TO THE CONGRESS
AND WHICH WILL NOT JEOPARDIZE THE OTHER MORE VITAL EFFORTS

PAGE 02

WE ARE MAKING ON THE HILL WITH RESPECT TO ECONOMIC AND
MILITARY AID. IN THIS REGARD WE ALSO WISH TO AVOID UNNECES-
SARY CONTROVERSY GROWING OUT OF POSSIBLE GAO INTERVENTION
AND NEWS MEDIA REPORTS.

(D) THE FOURTH IS TO ARRANGE DIVESTITURE AND FOLLOW-ON
CONTRACTS IN A MANNER WHICH WILL BE LEAST DISRUPTIVE TO

US-RVN RELATIONS.

2. IN CONSIDERING THESE VARIOUS INTERESTS, WASHINGTON
OFFICIALS AT A MEETING OCTOBER 25 CHAIRED BY THE ACTING
SECRETARY OUTLINED FOUR POSSIBLE COURSES OF ACTION:

(A) STAY WITH THE DETERMINATION AS SET FORTH IN THE
DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEMORANDUM OF SEPTEMBER 11, 1974 TO THE
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR OF AID THAT THE PRESENT CONTRACT BE
NOVATED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO CASI THROUGH JUNE 30, 1975,
WITH THE PROBABILITY OF OPEN COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR CON-
TINUING SERVICES IN FY-1976.

(B) NEGOTIATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE A SOLE SOURCE PROCURE-
MENT CONTRACT WITH CASI FOR SERVICES IN FY-1976, BEFORE
ANTICIPATED RATE INCREASES GO INTO EFFECT. THIS WOULD
REQUIRE A DETERMINATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAS EXCLUSIVE
OR PREDOMINANT CAPABILITY IN THE FIELD, WHICH AID DOES NOT
CONSIDER IS APPLICABLE TO CASI AND, IN ADDITION, THE
SECRETARY'S WRITTEN FINDING THAT PROCUREMENT FROM ANOTHER
SOURCE WOULD IMPAIR FOREIGN POLICY OR FOREIGN ASSISTANCE
OBJECTIVES.

(C) DEFER A FINAL DECISION UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1974 (WHICH
WOULD LIKELY OBVIATE THE NOVATION OPTION) AT WHICH TIME
WE COULD:

(1) NEGOTIATE A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT WITH CASI (SUBJECT
TO THE SAME CONSIDERATIONS AS IN (B) ABOVE); OR

(2) PROCEED WITH A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD
INCLUDE A PROVISION ALONG THE FOLLOWING LINES: QUOTE
CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE EVIDENCE, SATISFACTORY TO THE

PAGE 03

CONTRACTING OFFICER BEFORE AWARD, OF ITS ABILITY TO OB-
TAIN THE AIR RIGHTS, SERVICES, AND PROPERTY REQUIRED TO
SATISFACTORILY PERFORM THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS CONTRACT
UNQUOTE.

3. COMMENT;

(A) WE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME 20 U.S. COMPANIES THAT
HAVE INDICATED AN INTEREST IN BIDDING ON AN FY-1976 AIR
SERVICES CONTRACT, OUT OF WHICH WE MIGHT RECEIVE FOUR OR
FIVE SERIOUS BIDS. IN THIS LIGHT WE ARE ALMOST CERTAIN
TO RECEIVE SOME SHARP CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRIES IF WE GO
EITHER THE NOVATION OR SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT ROUTE.
SOLE SOURCE COULD ALSO RESULT IN GAO PROTEST AND A RE-
SULTING REVIEW OF THE BASIS OF THE SOLE SOURCE DETERMINATION. WE ARE PREPARED TO SUPPORT EITHER OF
THESE COURSES OF ACTION ON THE HILL AND ARE HOPEFUL THAT
WE COULD FRAME AN ADEQUATE DEFENSE. WHAT IS FOREMOST IN
OUR MINDS HOWEVER IS WHETHER IT IS WORTH THE ALMOST
CERTAIN RISK OF HARM TO OUR MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF OBTAINING
SATISFACTORY MILITARY AND ECONOMIC AID LEVELS BY STIRRING
UP CONGRESSIONAL ANTAGONISM ON THIS LESSER ISSUE OF AIR
SERVICE CONTRACTS. IN THIS CONNECTION WE WOULD NOTE THAT
SOLE SOURCE MIGHT BE NO MORE DIFFICULT TO SELL ON THE HILL
THAN NOVATION WITH SUBSEQUENT RFP SINCE THE FORMER IS
MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD AND LACKS THE ASPECT OF "SUBTERFUGE"
WHICH SOME MIGHT READ INTO THE NOVATION PROCESS. WE WOULD
NOTE FURTHER THAT CIA'S PERCEPTION OF THE NEED FOR QUICK
DIVESTITURE HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO PERMIT AS A COMMUNITY
SERVICE THE CONTINUATION OF AIR AMERICA TO NO LATER THAN
JUNE 30, 1975.

(B) THERE IS FRANKLY SOME DIFFERENCE OF VIEW BETWEEN
AID AND STATE CONCERNING THE NECESSITY OF TAKING INTO
ACCOUNT RVN SENSIBILITIES IN THIS MATTER. AID WOULD TEND
TO REGARD THE AWARDING OF AN AIR SERVICES CONTRACT AS
LARGELY THE BUSINESS OF THE MISSION JUST LIKE ANY OTHER
CONTRACT IN SUPPORT OF U.S. OPERATIONS IN VIET-NAM. THEY
POINT OUT THAT WE HAVE NOT CONSULTED WITH THE GVN IN
ARRANGING AIR CONTRACTS IN RECENT YEARS. THE DEPARTMENT

PAGE 04

ON THE OTHER HAND ACCEPTS YOUR ARGUMENT THAT THIS IS A
SPECIAL KIND OF CONTRACT AND THAT, WITH AIR AMERICA DE-
PARTING, THE GVN SHOULD HAVE A SAY AS TO WHAT FOREIGN
FIRMS PERFORM AIR SERVICES WITHIN ITS TERRITORY. WE
ALSO RECOGNIZE THE PERTINENCE OF THE PRESENT CONTEXT OF
DISSENT IN SOUTH VIET-NAM AND THE EFFECT OF THIS ON US-
RVN RELATIONS. AT THE SAME TIME WE ARE SOMEWHAT SUR-
PRISED AT THE STRENGTH OF GVN VIEWS ON THIS MATTER, AS
REPORTED REF A. AGAIN, IT SEEMS TO US THAT AIR SERVICES,
HOWEVER SENSITIVE, SHOULD BE VIEWED BY THE GVN AS A
PROBLEM OF LIMITED DIMENSION AND DURATION WHEN PLACED IN
THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERWHELMING PROBLEMS OF ECONOMIC
VIABILITY, DEFENSE AND FOREIGN AID LEVELS WHICH THE GVN
IS CURRENTLY FACING. THUS WE WOULD HOPE AND ANTICIPATE
THAT THE GVN WOULD GO ALONG WITH WHATEVER REASONABLE SO-
LUTION WE WOULD PROPOSE IN THIS AREA.

(C) IN CONSIDERATION OF THE FOREGOING, AND PARTICULARLY
IN THE LIGHT OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS PROBLEM,
OUR PRESENT INCLINATION IS TO FOLLOW OPTION 2(C) 2 --
THAT IS AN RFP WITH SPECIFIED CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTABILITY.
CIA AND AID WOULD FIND THIS A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION; IT
WOULD ALSO BEST SERVE OUR PURPOSES ON CAPITOL HILL AND
DECREASE LIKELIHOOD OF GAO INVESTIGATIONS BASED UPON

CONTRACTOR PROTEST. IT WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
BIDDING COMPANIES TO DEAL WITH THE GVN IN AN EFFORT TO
WORK OUT AIR RIGHTS. IN THIS CONTEXT THE GVN COULD BRING
TO BEAR ITS VIEWS ON THE MATTER, SPECIFICALLY WITH REGARD
TO WHICH AIR SERVICE IS ACCEPTABLE WITHIN GVN AIR SPACE.
AT THE TIME OF LAST YEAR'S RFP, FOR EXAMPLE, WE UNDER-
STAND THAT THREE BIDDERS PRESENTED EVIDENCE OF JOINT
VENTURES WITH AIR VIET-NAM -- I.E. CASI, JOHNSON ASSOCI-
ATES, INC. AND NHA - AIR VIET-NAM AVIATION SERVICES. WHILE
THE SITUATION IS DIFFERENT THIS YEAR (WITH AIR AMERICA
STANDING DOWN), WE WOULD SEE NO REASON WHY ANY PROSPECTIVE
BIDDER COULD NOT AT LEAST SEEK TO CONCLUDE A JOINT VENTURE
AGREEMENT WITH AIR VIET-NAM IF SUCH IS NOW LACKING. WE
RECOGNIZE ALSO THAT AN RFP MIGHT OPEN UP THE POSSIBILITY
OF AIR VIET-NAM'S BIDDING ON THE CONTRACT. SINCE WE ARE
NOT PREPARED TO ACCEPT AT THIS STAGE AIR VIET-NAM'S COM-

PAGE 05

PETENCE TO FULFILL THE CONTRACT TO OUR SATISFACTION, WE
WOULD HAVE TO SO INFORM THE GVN. PREFERABLY, WE WOULD
SEEK THROUGH CONSULTATIONS WITH THE GVN TO FORESTALL ANY
POSSIBLE AIR VIET-NAM BID SO TO LIMIT OPEN CONTROVERSY AT
THE TIME OF THE BIDDING.

4. YOUR FURTHER COMMENTS ON THE FOREGOING WOULD BE
APPRECIATED.

That's right! It was 50 years ago today, that the fall of Saigon occurred, and there are many unknown and untold stories about the American war against the Vietnamese that may, or may not ever see the light of day, or be of interest to the American public all these years later.

Lynda Carson may be reached at Newzland2 [at] gmail.com

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