State Historical Society of Iowa

Vietnamese Babies in Carriers on an Airplane to America, April 5, 1975

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Vietnamese babies aboard an airplane bound for the U.S. as part of Operation Babylift
Courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum, "Vietnamese Babies in their Carriers," 5 April 1975

Description 

This photograph shows Vietnamese babies and small children aboard an airplane bound for the United States as part of Operation Babylift, which was the name given to the mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam to the U.S. and other countries at the end of the Vietnam War.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • After looking at the photo, refer to the statement by President Ford and the memo from Daniel Parker. What is happening in this image? Use evidence from the documents to support your answer.
  • Why would America help refugees, like these children, in the past?

Citation Information 

"Vietnamese Babies in their Carriers," 5 April 1975.  Courtesy of Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum