RSL honours veteran for 1975 Vietnam rescue flight

Denis Griggs receiving the photograph of his Aircrew meeting with some of the orphans who they evacuated from South Vietnam in April 1975.

The Mapleton RSL Sub-branch marked Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18 with a moving service at Mapleton Memorial Park under clear skies. A small but dedicated crowd gathered to honour the servicemen and women who were deployed to South Vietnam.

This year also marks 50 years since the final evacuation of civilian refugees from South Vietnam in April 1975, a period remembered for the extraordinary Operation Babylift. During the operation, more than 3,000 orphaned babies and children were airlifted from orphanages, mostly to the United States. About 250 were brought to Australia on RAAF aircraft.

One of those involved was Mapleton RSL member Denis Griggs, who served as a flight engineer on a C-130 Hercules during the evacuation. 

Mr Griggs addressed the service, recalling the turbulent days of April 1975 and his role in helping bring orphaned children to safety.

Earlier this year he attended a commemorative event at the Australian War Memorial, where aircrew were reunited with some of the children they had flown to freedom. 

To recognise his service, the Mapleton RSL presented Mr Griggs with a photograph of his crew alongside two of those refugees, now adults.

Mr Griggs, a long-serving and highly respected member of the Sub-branch, was warmly thanked for sharing his memories.

The service concluded with morning tea provided by the Blackall Range Lions Club. The Sub-branch also thanked the Mapleton Rural Fire Brigade for their support and all who attended.