American Experience

"We Had Deserted Them"

Clip | 1m 46s

Journalist Jim Laurie recalls the looting that took place after the last U.S. helicopters left the American Embassy in Saigon in April, 1975. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

Aired: 04/28/15

Rating: NR

Buy Now:

Problems Playing Video? | Closed Captioning

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Support provided by:

More Extras

"A Terrible Moral Dilemma"
Col. Stuart Herrington helps a South Vietnamese family escape. Premieres April 28 on PBS.
"We Jumped Out"
Miki Nguyen recounts his family's daring escape from Vietnam. Premieres April 28 on PBS.
Why We Made Last Days in Vietnam
Executive Producer Mark Samels talks about "Last Days in Vietnam." Premiering 4/28 on PBS.
Last Days in Vietnam, Chapter 1
In April 1975, the North Vietnamese Army was closing in on Saigon. Premieres 4/28 on PBS.
The Pilot's Story
Gerry Berry was a marine helicopter pilot during the fall of Saigon in 1975.
The South Vietnamese Officer's Story
In 1975, Dam Pham was a South Vietnamese Army Officer Lieutenant.
"Dead Men Walking"
Col. Stuart Herrington helped evacuate his Vietnamese counterparts. Premieres 4/28 on PBS.
"Option Four"
In April 1975, the US Ambassador was left with just one evacuation option. Premieres 4/28.
"Chaos Had Descended"
South Vietnamese citizens arrive at the US Embassy, desperate to escape. Premieres 4/28
"Like Something Out of Exodus"
The USS Kirk escorted thousands of refugees to the Philippines. Premieres 4/28 on PBS.
"One Helicopter at a Time"
The flight deck of the USS Kirk could only fit one helicopter at a time. Premieres 4/28
"Desperate Eyes"
In April 1975, chaos had descended on the US Embassy in Saigon. Airs April 28 on PBS.
"What Would Happen to Them?"
Soldiers like Dam Pham were in peril when the North Vietnamese entered Saigon. Airs 4/28.
Last Days in Vietnam Preview
"Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.
"We were the last eleven"
Eleven U.S. Marines were stranded on the US Embassy roof. Premieres 4/28 on PBS
Armitage's Story
In 1975 Richard Armitage was a special forces advisor in Saigon. Premieres 4/28 on PBS
Extended Clip: The Journey Downriver
Watch an extended clip from "Last Days in Vietnam." Premieres 4/28 on PBS.
The Marine Guard's Story
Marine Guard Juan Valdez tells his story. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 29 at 9/8c.
"A Sea of Humanity"
News footage shows the panic permeating South Vietnam in April 1975. Premieres 4/28.

More Specials

Teaching resources for Find standards-aligned teaching resources for American Experience.

Explore Free Resources