The NAACP and Its Architects

American Experience

History Series / 14 Seasons

American Experience, TV's most-watched history series, brings to life the compelling stories from our past that inform our understanding of the world today.

Watch Latest: S37 E2

53m

"A Terrible Moral Dilemma"

52s

Col. Stuart Herrington recalls the struggle of members of the South Vietnamese Military in staying behind to fight while their families were evacuated. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

"I Had Lost Everything"

2m 7s

Kiem Do, a colonel in the South Vietnamese Navy, remembers the solemn flag-lowering ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Kirk after the fall of Saigon. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

The Pilot's Story

2m 59s

Captain Gerald "Gerry" Berry was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps during the fall of Saigon in April 1975. Capt. Berry was tasked with evacuating U.S. Ambassador Graham Martin from the U.S. Embassy, an order which proved to be more complicated than he expected.

The South Vietnamese Officer's Story

2m 59s

In April 1975, Dam Pham was an Army Officer Lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Central Intelligence Service. When the North Vietnamese arrived in Saigon, Pham stayed in Vietnam with his family rather than evacuate. After 13 years of hard labor in a re-education camp, Dam Pham was released and made his way to America.

"Chaos Had Descended"

3m 26s

When news got out that the Americans were leaving Saigon, thousands of South Vietnamese descended upon the U.S. Embassy, desperate for a chance to get out before the North Vietnamese arrived. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

"One Helicopter at a Time"

2m 12s

With so many South Vietnamese helicopters landing on the USS Kirk, the crew had no other option than to dump the helicopters overboard once they'd unloaded their passengers. "Last Days in Vietnam" airs April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

"Option Four"

3m 57s

After the shelling of Tan Son Nhut Airport by North Vietnamese troops, the U.S. Ambassador was left with only one evacuation option -- a heavy-lift helicopter evacuation. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

"Dead Men Walking"

1m 27s

Col. Stuart Herrington and other Black Ops took matters in their own hands to get their South Vietnamese counterparts out of the country before the North Vietnamese reached Saigon. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

"Desperate Eyes"

1m 36s

South Vietnamese veteran Dam Pham and U.S. Army veteran Stuart Herrington describe the chaos at the U.S. Embassy during the final days of Saigon in April, 1975. "Last Days in Vietnam" airs April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

"Like Something Out of Exodus"

2m 5s

Richard Armitage and the U.S. Navy escorted the seaworthy vessels of the Vietnamese Navy -- all crammed with thousands of refugees -- from Con Son Island to the Philippines. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

"We were the last eleven"

2m 24s

As North Vietnamese tanks rolled into Saigon, eleven U.S. Marines found themselves on the roof of the American Embassy with no U.S. helicopters in sight. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

Last Days in Vietnam Preview

30s

Nominated for an Academy Award® for Documentary Feature. From filmmaker Rory Kennedy, "Last Days in Vietnam" recounts the chaotic final days of the Vietnam War in April of 1975 as the North Vietnamese Army closed in on Saigon.

Armitage's Story

2m 59s

In April 1975, the Pentagon assigned Richard Armitage to remove or destroy South Vietnamese naval equipment to prevent it from falling into the hands of the enemy. After rendezvousing at Con Son Island, he saw the remnants of the South Vietnamese fleet crammed with thousands of refugees trying to escape Vietnam. "Last Days in Vietnam" premieres April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

Last Days in Vietnam, Chapter 1

7m 27s

In 1973, U.S. troops had begun to withdraw from Vietnam after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. Thousands of Americans remained in the country, and several had Vietnamese girlfriends, wives and families. In April of 1975, the North Vietnamese Army began to close in on Saigon, and South Vietnamese resistance was crumbling. Premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

"We Jumped Out"

1m 57s

When a South Vietnamese helicopter was too large to land on the US Navy ship, the USS Kirk, the family on board had no chance, but to make a leap of faith. Last Days in Vietnam premieres April 28 on PBS American Experience.

Extended Clip: The Journey Downriver

11m 4s

In 1975, Consul General Terry McNamara and Marine Consulate Guard Steve Hasty were in Can Tho, 78 miles southwest of Saigon. When they were told to evacuate only Americans, they went against orders and took hundreds of South Vietnamese refugees with them. This clip is subtitled in Vietnamese. "Last Days in Vietnam" airs April 28 at 9/8c on PBS American Experience.

Why We Made Last Days in Vietnam

2m 2s

American Experience Executive Producer, Mark Samels, discusses why the events depicted in "Last Days in Vietnam" are an important chapter in American history. Premiering April 28, 2015 on PBS American Experience.

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