Scope and Contents

Less than a quarter of a linear foot of photographs and an article donated by Harold R. Austin. Most of the photographs show planes and refugees arriving at U-Tapao Air Force Base, Thailand after the fall of Saigon, the rest depict major events that occurred at U-Tapao Air Force Base in 1975. The article is from the Smithsonian's Air & Space Magazine and tells the story of the refugees arriving at U-Tapao after the fall of Saigon.

Biographical / Historical

Born in 1924, Harold Austin volunteered for the United States Army Aviation program in 1943 and in 1947 became a member of the United States Air Force. He served for a combined thirty-four (34) years. In 1974, he was stationed at U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand where he served as Base Commander until 1975 while holding the rank of Colonel. Harold Austin earned multiple medals, ribbons and commendations before retiring in 1977. After Vietnam, he worked as a Stock Broker, owned a small business, and volunteered in a museum.