TWENTY-FOUR HOURS BEFORE SAIGON'S TAKEOVER by the Communists, more than 6000 Americans and South Vietnamese were rescued by helicopter airlifts. The chaos, tragedy, and heroism of this evacuation are documented in excerpts from a personal tape recording of Air Force Lieutenant Richard Van de Geer who, for 14 continuous hours, ferried people from the American Embassy to ships offshore. Also featured are interviews with former State Department personnel who describe the evacuation plan and growing panic as thousands desperately tried to escape. Produced for National Public Radio, 1985.