In 1975, the government asked the Midway to join the forces that were evacuating Vietnam. The Northern Vietnam forces pushed the Southern Vietnam forces back to Saigon. Air America concentrated on pulling evacuees to city hotel rooftops. The local air base had been bombed, and the embassy wasn't ready for the fleeing crowds. Helicopters had to be deployed for pickups in the embassy parking lot and the rooftops. Helicopters hovered fearing that they couldn’t land with their rails.
The sky was filled with Hueys, utility military helicopters, flying above the Midway with refugees. Many were escaping death or long prison terms. Once a Huey landed and unloaded people safely, they had to be moved aside to make room. Both American and South Vietnam aircrafts landed with people aboard. An airplane appeared in the midst of the chaos. So older helicopters were shoved into the water to make a landing strip. A pilot landed with his small plane with his wife and baby. To everyone’s surprise, four other children climbed out of the luggage compartment. Last to come aboard were marines with embassy personnel.
The Midway served 6000 hot meals to refugees. Evacuations continued for two days saving over 3,000 people. More than 300 required medical attention. Refugees were sent to the US, Canada, Europe and South America. One of the refugees is a Midway docent today.
There are more historical stories available and tour information on the Midway website.