Caught the Last China Airlines Repatriation Flight During the Vietnam War – An American Doctor Writes to Express Gratitude for Saving His Life

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

In April 1975, during the Vietnam War, a repatriation flight saved many lives forever. China Airlines’ Los Angeles branch recently received a letter from passenger Mr. Ronald Tang, expressing heartfelt thanks to his savior, “China Airlines,” for giving him the chance to flee Vietnam and start a brand-new life in the United States. On April 26, 39 years ago, Mr. Tang boarded China Airlines’ final repatriation flight out of Vietnam, embarking on a new journey in America. He is now a pediatrician who serves immigrant children.


▲ A family photo of Mr. Tang. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

Mr. Tang recently recalled, while transiting through Taiwan, that the airline that had carried him to safety all those years ago was Taiwan’s China Airlines. Overcome with emotion, he told his children, “This airline is the one that rescued my father, our family, and me from Vietnam back then.” Grateful for how China Airlines changed his life, and on the eve of the 39th anniversary of his escape from Vietnam, he specifically wrote to express his appreciation.

Ni Weixiu, a veteran flight attendant who had served on the Boeing 727 repatriation flights and China Airlines’ first female purser, was deeply moved after reading Mr. Tang’s letter. “Just a three-year-old child—and he still remembers that China Airlines saved his whole family. That’s wonderful!” Ni recalled the tense situation at the time: the Viet Cong were continuously attacking with anti-aircraft fire, leaving craters all around Saigon Airport. Despite the extreme danger, China Airlines’ repatriation flight managed to evacuate local overseas Chinese, embassy staff, and power company technicians. “I’ll never forget that day!”

Ni said that at the time, passengers even boarded without boarding passes. Everyone lined up quietly and took their seats starting from the back. Before takeoff, she and four other flight attendants checked each row to ensure everyone’s seatbelts were securely fastened. As the plane ascended rapidly, the sound of distant artillery filled their ears. It wasn’t until the aircraft leveled off that everyone began to calm down, and warm sunlight streamed in through the cabin windows. “We’re safe!” Only then did soft conversations begin among the passengers. When the plane neared Taipei, many passengers held the flight attendants’ hands and thanked them with tears in their eyes. “Actually, the flight attendants were crying too—we were all so happy to have completed the mission perfectly.”

% Ji Reng Ren? And the family were deeply moved. (#, ?? Provided by the teaching structure / strong)


The full text of Mr. Tang’s (Ronald Tang) letter is as follows:

Dear China Airlines: