Operation Babylift
1975-2025
Operation Babylift was a US-led effort to evacuate Vietnamese children from Saigon to the United States and other Western countries during the Vietnam War: ​
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April 3–26, 1975
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Children were adopted by families in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
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Over 3,300 children were airlifted out of Vietnam.
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Friends For All Children facilitated adoptions from 1967-1975
Operation Babylift Collection
This project preserves and shares the untold stories of Operation Babylift—a monumental effort to evacuate children from Vietnam in 1975. By digitizing historical records, collecting oral histories, and creating public exhibits, we aim to honor the resilience of adoptees, caregivers, and aid workers while fostering understanding of this significant chapter in history.
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Devaki's Story
backstory
-Devaki Murch, To Am Nursery, 1975
The Secret Ability to Fly had always seemed like a superpower that we had. A superpower known only to those of us who slipped out of deaths grasp. Some survived cancer, some survived war. I survived a plane crash. I have learned that the Secret Ability to Fly is more than a superpower. The Secret Ability to Fly is a gift from those who have loved, supported, cared and have believed in us.
I was a 9 month old infant at the time of the C-5A crash. My origins are relatively unknown. As we approach 50 years since the crash and Operation Babylift, I would like to share my gratitude to those who have touched my life and given me the “secret ability to fly”.
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This story is not just mine,
but all of ours.
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It is important that these stories are told in the context of time. The Vietnam War was a long, tumultuous, divisive conflict that ravaged a country. In the midst of the war and destruction there was love.
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Love from those who yearned to be parents
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Love from birth families who wanted nothing more than for their children to thrive. and children to thrive.
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Love from those who acknowledged the plight of the orphans.
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Love sheltered, cared and protected all of us and continue to do so to this day.
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This project is dedicated to all of those who loved us.