Communist Forces Capture Phuoc Long Province:  The South Vietnamese Army loses twenty planes in a failed effort to defend Phuoc Long, a key province just north of Saigon.  North Vietnamese leaders interpret the United States’ complete lack of response to the siege as an indication that they could move more aggressively in the South.

Hue Falls to Communists

Communists Take Aim at Saigon:  The North Vietnamese initiate the Ho Chi Minh Campaign — a concerted effort to “liberate” Saigon.  Under the command of General Dung, the NVA sets out to capture Saigon by late April, in advance of the rainy season.

Ford Calls Vietnam War “Finished”:  Anticipating the fall of Saigon to Communist forces, US President Gerald Ford, speaking in New Orleans, announces that as far as the U.S. is concerned, the Vietnam War is “finished.”

Last Americans Evacuate as Saigon Falls to Communists:  South Vietnamese President Duong Van Minh delivers an unconditional surrender to the Communists in the early hours of April 30.  North Vietnamese Colonel Bui Tin accepts the surrender and assures Minh that, “…Only the Americans have been beaten.  If you are patriots, consider this a moment of joy.”  As the few remaining Americans evacuate Saigon, the last two U.S. servicemen to die in Vietnam are killed when their helicopter crashes.