Check out the schedule of your local NPR station or go to NPR’s site. They will be airing USS KIRK stories as follows:
- August 31 – All Things Considered
- September 1 – Morning Edition and All Things Considered
- September 2nd or 3rd – Morning Edition
We will be happy to get your feedback on what you hear! There will also be a fairly significant web component on the NPR site.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
The NPR staff held an extensive interview and photo session with crewmembers and our Vietnamese brothers and sisters at the 2010 reunion in DC.
My hat is off to them for taking up the story of the Kirk. Please check the NPR site after tomorrow for links to the program and the photo journal.
Bon
I just listened to the Augsut 31 2010 report on All Things Considered and read the qccount on the NPR web site regarding the Kirk’s rescue of Vietnamese military and civilians at the time of the fall of Saigon. It is a bright and shining moment in a tragic time in the history of the United States and Viet Nam.
The humanitarian efforts of the Kirk, its Captain and crew reflect great credit on the United States, the Navy, and themselves. Well done!
What a great story! I was talking about it with my husband last night, in the hearing of my four-year old son. He has now asked me to retell the story of the Kirk three or four times since then (in less than 24 hours since I first heard it). He is as captivated by it as I am — although he feels sad that the helicopters weren’t rescued…. Great flying, great service, great story. Thank you.
I was surprised by the broadcast on the car radio. Captivated by the story, I listened again on the website, then I e-mailed it to all my friends who I thought would appreciate it, including an aging and ailing neighbor who flew in the war. This morning I caught part 2 on Morning Edition, and can’t wait for part 3. I got all choked up. Not just because I am proud of my fellow Americans, the sailors of the Kirk and others, but I am also moved by the words of the Vietnamese who were rescued, how they embraced their new “motherland” as one of them put it, and how they had to pick up the pieces of their lives and start all over again with nothing but their meager personal possessions.
As a U S Sailor for 35 years, but NOT one who participated in Viet Nam, this story makes me so proud of the organization of which I was a part. The efforts of the Kirk Sailors resulted in untold wonderful success stories for the people they rescued and started them on the road to great American success stories. They certainly deserved that Humanitarian Service Award. The
U S military as a whole, does so much of this type of work behind the scenes. Many thanks to NPR to bringing the story to light.
I heard the first part in this series last night and had chills. This morning I heard Part 2 and wished I hadn’t just finished putting on my make-up because anyone who hears this can’t help but cry. I’ve been telling my staff and patients about it this morning. Thank you for telling this amazing story.
Amy
I am so pleased that this story is – finally – being told. It makes me proud to be an American and, beyond that, proud to be a member of the human race.
I caught the last half of the broadcast and was spellbound. I thought it was
all in reference to a BOOK written about the whole adventure, but, alas, not so!
But what a book it would make!! Please tell me that someone wants to make
an effort to put this story on paper? A best seller waiting to be hatched.
After the horror of that war, a lovely song to bring a tear to the eye….
Thanks. And a salute to the men of the Kirk. ~~wfa
A c0-worker just informed me that heard the story on NPR. After listening to your story you all did an excellent job. Congradulations on finally getting recognized. Capt. Jacobs was right being in uniform in the late 60′s and 70′s was not popular and to see now that you all really did make a difference is special. Better late than never.
The only reason I am on this website is because of the NRP broadcast about the USS Kirk.
During this time back in 1975 I was not yet 13 but the story I was listening too had reminded me of the evacuation of the US Embassy and I never forgot the imagines.
As an amateur Historian once again I was reminded and given and incredible example of why I must always find a way to pass all of history on to others. The NPR series on the Kirk was the best thing I have ever heard on radio or TV. I had trouble driving because of the tears in my eyes. I have never ever been so proud to be an American as I was while driving home from work listening to this story of such incredible heros!
American and Vietnamese all part of my history and so proud of all!
It is so wonderful to have something to beautiful come out of that war.
God bless you all and I promise to pass this story forward from this day to everyone I can.
There is simply no other news organization existing in the world today that can (and will) spend the time and resources it takes to tell stories like these. Just NPR (National Public Radio).
Remember that whenever someone on Fox “News” disparages them.
Nothing I’ve heard or seen on radio or TV in the past five years has made me prouder to be an American.
Nothing.
I stumbled upon the first story while driving home from work one day and was very moved and shocked that this was the first I had of the USS Kirk. My family fleed Vietnam after the war so this story hit close to home. Although my family’s journey was different, I could still appreciate this story of chaos, saddness, and joy.
I read the other parts of the series and found myself in tears when I read the part where they had to take down the South Vietnamese flag and put up the American flag so the ships could dock in the Philippines. I knew exactly how those people felt even if I was only 2 years old when my family left home.
This story was touching and made me smile because you don’t hear about the Vietnam War like this – people working together and helping each other.
Your story has helped me come up with a story for me to write. Thank you.
Thank you all, on behalf of every crew of the USS Kirk, for you’re outpouring in warmth.
We are proud to share this story, not for us, but for the success of those we helped make safe passage to freedom.
The Navy Bureau of Medicine has produced a one hour hidef documentary about the Kirk’s efforts in the rescue. If anyone is interested the premier showing will be at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History at 2pm on November 11th, 2010 by invitation only.
If you wish to attend, please contact me and I will make the effort to secure you’re invitation.
Jim “Bon” Bongaard
Thanks Jim.
I wish I had found this website sooner.
Paul
Dear Paul Sandoval:
If I am correct, you are the Paul Sandoval crewmate of the Kirk, and a Plankowner.
Please contact me at jbongaard@carolina.rr.com so we can get you in the loop for the Kirk Association newsletters etc.
Sincerely,
Jim “Bon” Bongaard
Founder USS Kirk Association
Headhunter USS Kirk Association
OS2 1972-1975 (PLankowner)
A GREAT JOB DESERVES A GREAT DISTRIBUTION!! CAN YOU PROVIDE A PRINT OF THE STORY AND GET IT TO ALL OF THE NAVAL VETERAN GROUPS? START WITH THE DESTROYER-ESCORT SAILORS ASSOCIATEION AT http://www.desausa.org OR 386-738-6900.
THANKS, bob m
Can you let me know when the next time the NPR series of USS Kirk stories will be told?
Thank you!