About the Author

Richard Cochrane is trained in chemistry and metallurgy but is far more interested and practiced as a political and fund raising consultant, writer and amateur historian. He grew up in a Navy family and with his two younger brothers carried on its 500+ year tradition of naval service to Great Britain and the USA then enjoyed a career with one of the largest advertising and public relations agencies working with numerous Fortune 500 companies and many of America's premier educational institutions. He maintains friendships and acquaintanceships around the world. He lives in Santa Barbara, California.

See All Posts by This Author

April 29, 1975 - Day of Disgrace and Shame

April 29th, 2009 • Richard Cochrane
Email This Post Email This Post - Print This Post Print This Post -

evac-saigonThe last days of April 1975 were among the darkest days in American history. On April 29th America was involved in the most notorious event since December 7, 1941 until September 11, 2001; it was April 29, 1975 that helicopters tried to lift the last few refugees from the embassy roof. The next day South Viet Nam surrendered to the Russian backed Communist North Vietnam Army.

Just days earlier, a similar though smaller evacuation occurred in neighboring Cambodia as the Communist Khmer Rouge moved into Phnom Penh, its capital city. As the U. S. fled the city the U. S. ambassador asked Prince Sirik Matak is he too wanted to flee. His answer is hard to read and contains contemporary lessons for Americans today. He said,

“I thank you very sincerely for your letter and your offer to transport me towards freedom. I cannot, alas leave in such a cowardly fashion. As for you, and in particular for your great country, I never believed for a moment that you would have this sentiment of abandoning a people which has chosen liberty. You have refused us your protection, and we can do nothing about it. You leave, and my wish is that you will find happiness under the sky. But, mark it well, that if I shall die here on the spot and in my country that IU love, it is no matter, because we are all born and must die. I have only committed this mistake of believing in you.”

When the Khmer Rouge seized Phnom Penh, they shot Matak in the in the stomach. Unattended it took him three days to die. His slaughter was among the first of 2,500,000 to be murdered in the next four years from execution, starvation and forced labor.

Hopefully such disgrace and shame will not revisit upon us and others will not have to pay such a horrible price.

Post a Response

You must be logged in to post a comment.