April 4, 1975

1975:     Operation BABYLIFT: A MAC C-5 crashes in an emergency landing near Saigon while flying the op’s 1st mission; 138 die and 176 survive the crash. Flight Nurse 1Lt Regina C. Aune ignores severe injuries to help evacuate nearly 80 children from the plane’s wreckage, receiving the 1975 Cheney Award for her efforts. The pilot and copilot, Captains Dennis W. Traynor III and Tilford W. Harp, receive the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism.