"Flying Playpens"
The History of World Airways in Southeast Asia
1956-1975
(continued)
Written
by Patricia Johnson Mulder
"One of my greatest memories of this flight, happened when we were three or four hours out of Manila. I decided to go back and go down the steps to see how the doctors and the nurses were doing. Some of the infants were crying. I heard voices of the crew. I never got down the stairway. By then the crew had changed diapers on each one of the infants, about three times. The plane was a nursery. I just thought I would let them continue what they were doing. Everything appeared alright. The air had a very strong odor of baby boo. But, I felt so good to know that the orphans were being cared for, no matter how much the plane smelted. Apparently, the people down there working with the orphans were getting accustomed to the aroma. I decided that I wasn't going any further." Healy, said smiling. Prior to departure to Los Angeles, Healy had a phone call from the Commander of the Military Air Transport Service at Scott Field, Illinois. There was some discussion about which way to fly the orphans to Los Angeles. The Commander on the other end of the telephone had given new flight instructions. The General said that he wanted this plane to go into Honolulu for fuel. I told him that it would keep the babies in route much longer with an extra stop. The most logical thing and easier on the babies is to take them direct to Los Angeles." Healy said. "Your plane cannot make that flight non- stop." the Commander replied. "Well, it certainly can." Captain Healy said, with confidence. "Captain, just what makes you think you can get that 747 from Clark AFB to Los Angeles non-stop?" the Commander asked. "Well, I guess because about thirty days ago, I took this same aircraft non-stop from Singapore to Oakland California." Healy said. There was a short silence. "Captain, you are cleared to go non-stop to Los Angeles." the Commander said. He realized that Captain Healy knew what he was talking about. "Thank you Commander." Healy added. Healy then filed his flight plan direct to Los Angeles. Upon arrival at Los Angeles, Healy had a problem with the officials who were trying to triage the orphans again. Healy thought that it was terrible for the orphans, some in cardboard bassinets lying on the pavement, and exposed to a cold ocean breeze. The orphans were not used to cool climate weather and were not dressed for the cool wind blowing across the airport. Finally, after a great deal of unnecessary triage, the orphans were ready to continue their journey to freedom. Many families were waiting to adopt these precious children. This mission had been more complicated by the fact that many of the young babies were sick, and there were some newborns. One premature baby died in route to the United States. Sunday April 13, Daly still wanted to get more orphans out of Saigon. He was not successful and two of World planes left Saigon for Japan. He could not get permission to bring out any more orphans. The Military Airlift contract was terminated; the rice lift funding ran out. But, then Daly met Father Robert Crawford, who had an orphanage for crippled children in Saigon. A miracle had happened by April 21, for the entire orphanage of 305 children and adults were evacuated. World Airways flew the orphans from Saigon to their new home in Oregon. The last group of orphans were flown out of Saigon to Oakland April 25. Saigon fell on April 30. Daly and his entire crew were heroes to many saved orphans. World Airways had made four flights and rescued a total of more than 850 orphans. Some time later, a letter arrived for Captain Healy. It was from the FAA, asking Healy to explain why he broke so many regulations while flying in Vietnam. Healy considered the letter very carefully. He thought about how he flew refugees out of the collapsing cities of mainland China, in 1948-49. He broke a few rules then too. He tried to save as many lives as he could, whenever he has been requested to do so. Captain Healy responded to the FAA charges honestly with his letter: "I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 19, 1975, signed for you by Mr. John H. Bowers. I am quite conversant with the Federal Air Regulations and fully understand them and I'm also aware that the flight records at World Airways offices in Oakland are correct with respect to the flights I made in Vietnam. I believe that this information has been fairly well known and no attempt what-so-ever has been made to hide the facts. The situation in Vietnam in March 1975, was a rapidly deteriorating war that was falling at such a rate that most of those, even on the spot did not realize its seriousness. There were thousands, upon thousands of desperate refugees attempting to leave DaNang in any way possible. I elected to fly into these conditions in an effort to relieve what-so- ever suffering I could in the final hours of this terrible Vietnam war. It is my feeling that what I did was right and that were the circumstances repeated, I would be forced to follow the same course of action. If there is anything further that you desire, please advise." Kenneth W. Healy Vice Pros. Dir. of Operations The FAA's response: "We have decided not to take any further action on this matter at this time'. Captain Healy, has never heard any more about this matter. In the eyes of the children, as the years move swiftly by, kindness is never forgotten. One of the orphans grew up and wanted to meet Captain Healy and others who flew him to freedom. A day that he will never forget.
One morning Captain Healy was in his office? at World Airways in Oakland. A young man entered. He stood in front of his desk, and asked Healy a question. Their eyes met. "Do you remember me? he asked. Captain Healy. "No." Healy said, shaking his head. "I am one of the orphans on your flight. You saved me and many others. I am here to say Thank you." Captain Healy stood up and shook the hand of this young man who knew him. Healy remembered the many orphans who survived a terrible situation because of the aviation discovery of airplanes. He turned his attention back to his visitor. "You are welcomed. Would you like a cup of coffee." Healy said, smiling. "Yes. Thank you." For an hour, the two of them talked about how freedom had changed the young man's life. Long after the young man left. Captain Healy knew that saving this young man and others like him, was worth the danger. Healy sat down in his chair. He wondered if he would ever do it again. It took just a second for him to think about it. Yes, if the need was there, I would do it all over again, if I were still flying airplanes today.
Captain Kenneth W. Healy is now retired and lives in California.