An Interview with Al Topping:
Pan Am's Evacuation Flight Out of Vietnam Revealed in New Book
by Michael Manning
Published on March 19, 2021
Read a Pre-Publication Chapter from Wings of Freedom
Al Topping was Pan Am's Director of Operations in Saigon, Vietnam. He became a man of destiny.
(Photo: Pan Am Historical Foundation)
In 2006, I had the unique privilege of interviewing Allan Topping for Airways Magazine. Topping was Pan Am’s Director of Operations in Saigon, Vietnam from 1972-1975.
On April 24, 1975 Pan Am operated its final departure from South Vietnam. Six days later, the North Vietnamese tanks rolled into the city. With time running out, and communist troops surrounding Saigon, this daring and dramatic rescue was made into a movie called Last Flight Out. On April 22, 1990 the movie aired on the NBC-Television Network. I saw it many years later on DVD. The movie depicts yet another event that is part of Pan Am's contribution to the history of commercial aviation.
Photo Courtesy of NBC: James Earl Jones as Al Topping
Now, more than 45 years later, Al Topping, Pan Am's former Director for South Vietnam has written a book about this last flight from Saigon. The book is called "Wings of Freedom".
Topping is pleased that the film was made; however as he was on the ground during those final days and hours, there were events that were left out of the final version of the film. Those missing and important events became some of the motivating factors behind Al's decision to write Wings of Freedom. The story is gripping.
During those tense final days in South Vietnam, the local government was still in control but simultaneously in a free fall. When it became apparent that Pan Am employees and their families were in grave danger, Topping organized a daring evacuation with company pilots and flight attendants volunteering to fly in -- literally into a war zone -- for this life-saving mission. I am extremely proud to call Al Topping a friend after all these years.
Photo Courtesy of NBC: Haing S. Ngor as Pan Am employee and Assistant to Al Topping, Luc Van Nguyen.
Scenes of a Saigon Marketplace - National Archives Footage, Circa 1960
Order Your Copy of
"Wings of Freedom"
Al Topping with his new book, "Wings of Freedom"
Autographed copies are available for $23.50 (includes shipping & handling).
CONTACT AL TOPPING
Cell: 786-999-3594
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Purchase New Caps Commemorating
“SAIGON APRIL 24, 1975”
These caps are customized and sell for $30.00 ea.
On one side is the Pan Am logo & the other side says “SAIGON APRIL 24, 1975”
