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Honorable Exit: How a Few Brave Americans Risked All to Save Our Vietnamese Allies at the End of the War
A groundbreaking revisionist history of the last days of the Vietnam War that reveals the acts of American heroism that saved more than one hundred thousand South Vietnamese from communist revenge
In 1973 U.S. participation in the Vietnam War ended in a cease-fire and a withdrawal that included promises by President Nixon to assist the South in the event of invasion by the North. But in early 1975, when North Vietnamese forces began a full-scale assault, Congress refused to send arms or aid. By early April that year, the South was on the brink of a defeat that threatened execution or years in a concentration camp for the untold number of South Vietnamese who had supported the government in Saigon or worked with Americans.
Thurston Clarke begins Honorable Exit by describing the iconic photograph of the Fall of Saigon: desperate Vietnamese scrambling to board a helicopter evacuating the last American personnel from Vietnam. It is an image of U.S. failure and shame. Or is it? By unpacking the surprising story of heroism that the photograph actually tells, Clarke launches into a narrative that is both a thrilling race against time and an important corrective to the historical record. For what is less known is that during those final days, scores of Americans--diplomats, businessmen, soldiers, missionaries, contractors, and spies--risked their lives to assist their current and former translators, drivers, colleagues, neighbors, friends, and even perfect strangers in escape. By the time the last U.S. helicopter left Vietnam on April 30, 1975, these righteous Americans had helped to spirit 130,000 South Vietnamese to U.S. bases in Guam and the Philippines. From there, the evacuees were resettled in the U.S. and became American citizens, the leading edge of one of America's most successful immigrant groups.
Into this tale of heroism on the ground Clarke weaves the political machinations of Henry Kissinger advising President Ford in the White House while reinforcing the delusions of the U.S. Ambassador in Saigon, who, at the last minute, refused to depart. Groundbreaking, page-turning, and authoritative, Honorable Exit is a deeply moving history of Americans at a little-known finest hour.
In 1973 U.S. participation in the Vietnam War ended in a cease-fire and a withdrawal that included promises by President Nixon to assist the South in the event of invasion by the North. But in early 1975, when North Vietnamese forces began a full-scale assault, Congress refused to send arms or aid. By early April that year, the South was on the brink of a defeat that threatened execution or years in a concentration camp for the untold number of South Vietnamese who had supported the government in Saigon or worked with Americans.
Thurston Clarke begins Honorable Exit by describing the iconic photograph of the Fall of Saigon: desperate Vietnamese scrambling to board a helicopter evacuating the last American personnel from Vietnam. It is an image of U.S. failure and shame. Or is it? By unpacking the surprising story of heroism that the photograph actually tells, Clarke launches into a narrative that is both a thrilling race against time and an important corrective to the historical record. For what is less known is that during those final days, scores of Americans--diplomats, businessmen, soldiers, missionaries, contractors, and spies--risked their lives to assist their current and former translators, drivers, colleagues, neighbors, friends, and even perfect strangers in escape. By the time the last U.S. helicopter left Vietnam on April 30, 1975, these righteous Americans had helped to spirit 130,000 South Vietnamese to U.S. bases in Guam and the Philippines. From there, the evacuees were resettled in the U.S. and became American citizens, the leading edge of one of America's most successful immigrant groups.
Into this tale of heroism on the ground Clarke weaves the political machinations of Henry Kissinger advising President Ford in the White House while reinforcing the delusions of the U.S. Ambassador in Saigon, who, at the last minute, refused to depart. Groundbreaking, page-turning, and authoritative, Honorable Exit is a deeply moving history of Americans at a little-known finest hour.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2019
58 people are currently reading
1986 people want to read
About the author
Thurston Clarke
15 books67 followersThurston Clarke has written eleven widely acclaimed works of fiction and nonfiction, including three New York Times Notable Books. His 'Pearl Harbor Ghosts' was the basis for a CBS documentary, and his bestselling 'Lost Hero', a biography of Raoul Wallenberg, was made into an award-winning NBC miniseries.
Clarke's articles have appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other publications. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and other awards, he lives with his wife and three daughters in upstate New York.
Clarke's articles have appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and many other publications. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and other awards, he lives with his wife and three daughters in upstate New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 29, 2019
This is haunting story of the fall of South Vietnam, and the heroism of the few Americans who did what they could to rescue and evacuate South Vietnamese allies who had worked with the United States during the war. These U.S. soldiers, CIA agents, journalists, civilians, and foreign service officers were often working to save their South Vietnamese allies and acquaintances in direct opposition to the American government's orders. I found myself reading whole passages aloud to my wife as I read the book, sometimes deeply moved by American kindness and sometimes horrified by American callousness.
April 13, 2021
“If I could relive the month (April 1975) I would change nothing in the way the Saigon Mission reacted to the realities of the unfolding situation.”
~Graham Martin, US Ambassador to Vietnam
Testimony to Congress January 1976
Few statements adequately describe the reason behind the utter failure that was the US mission in Vietnam. A terrible war culminated by a haphazard evacuation of US personnel, diplomats, contractors, journalists and over 130,000 Vietnamese during the last month of South Vietnam’s independence from North Vietnam. To be fair, much of the blame resides with the Ford Administration (and the Nixon and Johnson administrations), but the complete failure of leadership and failure of Ambassador Martin to listen to those around him led to countless lives lost and many thousands of people stranded in Vietnam.
The courage of individual US diplomats at the Embassy, USAID, DAO, CIA, State Department, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Air America acting, at times, in direct contradiction to official orders made the evacuation even possible. Without them, many more Vietnamese would have likely been killed along with some Americans.
This book is heart-wrenching. It is a character study in terrible leadership at the highest levels of authority. However, it is also a study of what compassion for other humans truly looks like. Those who enabled the evacuation often did so a great personal and professional sacrifice.
This book was a timely reminder that much is at stake to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan. As we seemingly approach the end of the war in Afghanistan, I can’t help but wonder are we ready? To be sure, the situations are drastically different. The Taliban is no where near as powerful as the North Vietnamese were, but they are certainly capable of performing atrocities against Afghanis. In some ways though, the problem is more difficult. The geography of Afghanistan means a withdrawal will have to be executed by air, whereas thousands of personnel were evacuated by boats, barges, and ships from Vietnam. It is unclear how prepared the Afghan government is prepared to lead independently and provide security for its people.
~Graham Martin, US Ambassador to Vietnam
Testimony to Congress January 1976
Few statements adequately describe the reason behind the utter failure that was the US mission in Vietnam. A terrible war culminated by a haphazard evacuation of US personnel, diplomats, contractors, journalists and over 130,000 Vietnamese during the last month of South Vietnam’s independence from North Vietnam. To be fair, much of the blame resides with the Ford Administration (and the Nixon and Johnson administrations), but the complete failure of leadership and failure of Ambassador Martin to listen to those around him led to countless lives lost and many thousands of people stranded in Vietnam.
The courage of individual US diplomats at the Embassy, USAID, DAO, CIA, State Department, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Air America acting, at times, in direct contradiction to official orders made the evacuation even possible. Without them, many more Vietnamese would have likely been killed along with some Americans.
This book is heart-wrenching. It is a character study in terrible leadership at the highest levels of authority. However, it is also a study of what compassion for other humans truly looks like. Those who enabled the evacuation often did so a great personal and professional sacrifice.
This book was a timely reminder that much is at stake to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan. As we seemingly approach the end of the war in Afghanistan, I can’t help but wonder are we ready? To be sure, the situations are drastically different. The Taliban is no where near as powerful as the North Vietnamese were, but they are certainly capable of performing atrocities against Afghanis. In some ways though, the problem is more difficult. The geography of Afghanistan means a withdrawal will have to be executed by air, whereas thousands of personnel were evacuated by boats, barges, and ships from Vietnam. It is unclear how prepared the Afghan government is prepared to lead independently and provide security for its people.
Read
August 7, 2020America’s years in Vietnam were full of shame, but the last days of the war saw a remarkable effort at redemption. Breaking rules set by their higher-ups, ordinary Americans — servicemen, diplomats, spies, private citizens — moved heaven and earth to get their Vietnamese friends and allies to safety. Thurston Clarke’s Honourable Exit brings this little-known story to light with the speed and power of a riveting thriller. It challenges us to remember a time when Americans refused to abandon desperate people in a far-off country. It's a kind of Schindler’s List for America's lost war.
George Packer, author of The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq and The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Vietnam is America’s unfinished war — unfinished because so many, men and women, have yet to come home body and soul. Honourable Exit is that homecoming. Beautifully written, achingly poignant, scrupulously reported, this story is a revelation. We see history in ways we hadn't imagined. Honourable Exit is a book for every generation of readers.
Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 Strong and The Odyssey of Echo Company
Thurston Clarke has a genius for finding episodes in history that deserve re-examination. Just as the U.S. rescued its employees and allies from the embassy roof, this gifted story-teller has found gems of heroism, honour, and suspense in an agonising chapter of the American story.
Strobe Talbott, Former Deputy Secretary of State and Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Brookings
Thurston Clarke’s Honourable Exit is the missing book on the Fall of Saigon we've been waiting for. Among other things, it is a brilliant recounting of President Gerald Ford's vital leadership during the last days of the Vietnam War. Over 130,000 South Vietnamese allies were saved because of Ford’s moral certitude. An epic narrative history for the ages!
Douglas Brinkley, author of Cronkite
In this moving account of the “Righteous Americans”, Clarke celebrates the forgotten men and women who, in the face of great opposition, managed to pull off an epic humanitarian and immigration success story. A powerful and inspiring lesson in courage that could not be more relevant today.
Rory Kennedy, Academy Award-Nominated Director and Producer of Last Days in Vietnam
Filled with new information and riveting recreations of daring rescues, this book adds significantly to the history of a notable moment in U.S. military history.
Publishers Weekly
In this intelligent study, [Thurston Clarke] shows how in those final days a motley group of soldiers, diplomats, missionaries and spies airlifted more than 130,000 refugees to America – all in defiance of superiors and public opinion. He creates a nuanced portrait of those days that popular misconceptions of the iconic photograph miss: a complex one of guilt, betrayal and honour.
Steven Carrol, Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Non-Fiction Pick of the Week’
[Thurston Clarke’s] story is a tribute to these brave people ... Honourable Exit shines a light on a time when Americans refused to abandon thousands of their desperate allies. It is perhaps the only good thing.
Margaret Reilly, Daily Post
Despite its unfortunate subtitle, Honourable Exit is a serious, well-researched and engaging attempt to relate the story of the last days of South Vietnam, or the Republic of Vietnam ... declassified U.S. government documents that shed revealing light on the dismal failure of the Ford administration and the ambassador to South Vietnam, Graham Martin, in particular, to prepare for the repatriation of U.S. personnel and the extraction of Vietnamese whose lives would be in danger if they stayed behind ... Clarke excels at balancing captivating oral history and illuminating political history ... The author’s work as a novelist is evident in the way he delineates key players. The good are very good and the bad, well, very bad ... In its final chapters, Honourable Exit expertly captures the mayhem of South Vietnam’s dying days.
Pierre Asselin, The Washington Post
Honourable Exit is another important, and very readable, history from...Thurston Clarke ... Clarke’s research is relentless—he has unearthed and read pertinent material, and interviewed the players in this extraordinary story. The rich bibliography has 141 citations. It’s an extraordinary effort, giving us the back-story for the fall of Saigon. Perhaps most importantly, Thurston Clarke reminds the reader of what America gained by rescuing the Vietnamese refugees.
Jerry McGovern, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Historian Clarke...offers a thrilling and fresh perspective of the Vietnam War based on new information and a showcase of American heroism ... Fans of military and U.S. history will revel in Clarke's expert storytelling, well-crafted re-creations, and research.
David Miller, Library Journal
A detailed account ... [and] harrowing narrative ... Moving to a hair-raising climax, Clarke meticulously sifts through hasty evacuation measures and relates the sad stories of those who did not make it out. A welcome addition to the literature on the Vietnam War.
Kirkus Reviews
Honourable Exit is by far the best book about the tragic end of Vietnam and a must read for those interested in US military operations and especially operations in Southeast Asia.
US Naval Institute, ‘Proceedings’
Clarke’s writing is clear and comprehensive … Clarke’s story needs to be told; needs to circulate around Washington, DC, and be required reading for members of congressional committees. It’s my understanding that a film of this remarkable story is being made.
Tony Zurlo, Peace Corps Worldwide
Surprising … [A] complete story of the last days of the Vietnam War.
New York Post
Tells of Americans still in Vietnam as it fell to the North Vietnamese and their struggle to rescue the South Vietnamese … Brought tears to my eyes repeatedly.
Washington Independent Review of Books
George Packer, author of The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq and The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Vietnam is America’s unfinished war — unfinished because so many, men and women, have yet to come home body and soul. Honourable Exit is that homecoming. Beautifully written, achingly poignant, scrupulously reported, this story is a revelation. We see history in ways we hadn't imagined. Honourable Exit is a book for every generation of readers.
Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 Strong and The Odyssey of Echo Company
Thurston Clarke has a genius for finding episodes in history that deserve re-examination. Just as the U.S. rescued its employees and allies from the embassy roof, this gifted story-teller has found gems of heroism, honour, and suspense in an agonising chapter of the American story.
Strobe Talbott, Former Deputy Secretary of State and Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Brookings
Thurston Clarke’s Honourable Exit is the missing book on the Fall of Saigon we've been waiting for. Among other things, it is a brilliant recounting of President Gerald Ford's vital leadership during the last days of the Vietnam War. Over 130,000 South Vietnamese allies were saved because of Ford’s moral certitude. An epic narrative history for the ages!
Douglas Brinkley, author of Cronkite
In this moving account of the “Righteous Americans”, Clarke celebrates the forgotten men and women who, in the face of great opposition, managed to pull off an epic humanitarian and immigration success story. A powerful and inspiring lesson in courage that could not be more relevant today.
Rory Kennedy, Academy Award-Nominated Director and Producer of Last Days in Vietnam
Filled with new information and riveting recreations of daring rescues, this book adds significantly to the history of a notable moment in U.S. military history.
Publishers Weekly
In this intelligent study, [Thurston Clarke] shows how in those final days a motley group of soldiers, diplomats, missionaries and spies airlifted more than 130,000 refugees to America – all in defiance of superiors and public opinion. He creates a nuanced portrait of those days that popular misconceptions of the iconic photograph miss: a complex one of guilt, betrayal and honour.
Steven Carrol, Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Non-Fiction Pick of the Week’
[Thurston Clarke’s] story is a tribute to these brave people ... Honourable Exit shines a light on a time when Americans refused to abandon thousands of their desperate allies. It is perhaps the only good thing.
Margaret Reilly, Daily Post
Despite its unfortunate subtitle, Honourable Exit is a serious, well-researched and engaging attempt to relate the story of the last days of South Vietnam, or the Republic of Vietnam ... declassified U.S. government documents that shed revealing light on the dismal failure of the Ford administration and the ambassador to South Vietnam, Graham Martin, in particular, to prepare for the repatriation of U.S. personnel and the extraction of Vietnamese whose lives would be in danger if they stayed behind ... Clarke excels at balancing captivating oral history and illuminating political history ... The author’s work as a novelist is evident in the way he delineates key players. The good are very good and the bad, well, very bad ... In its final chapters, Honourable Exit expertly captures the mayhem of South Vietnam’s dying days.
Pierre Asselin, The Washington Post
Honourable Exit is another important, and very readable, history from...Thurston Clarke ... Clarke’s research is relentless—he has unearthed and read pertinent material, and interviewed the players in this extraordinary story. The rich bibliography has 141 citations. It’s an extraordinary effort, giving us the back-story for the fall of Saigon. Perhaps most importantly, Thurston Clarke reminds the reader of what America gained by rescuing the Vietnamese refugees.
Jerry McGovern, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Historian Clarke...offers a thrilling and fresh perspective of the Vietnam War based on new information and a showcase of American heroism ... Fans of military and U.S. history will revel in Clarke's expert storytelling, well-crafted re-creations, and research.
David Miller, Library Journal
A detailed account ... [and] harrowing narrative ... Moving to a hair-raising climax, Clarke meticulously sifts through hasty evacuation measures and relates the sad stories of those who did not make it out. A welcome addition to the literature on the Vietnam War.
Kirkus Reviews
Honourable Exit is by far the best book about the tragic end of Vietnam and a must read for those interested in US military operations and especially operations in Southeast Asia.
US Naval Institute, ‘Proceedings’
Clarke’s writing is clear and comprehensive … Clarke’s story needs to be told; needs to circulate around Washington, DC, and be required reading for members of congressional committees. It’s my understanding that a film of this remarkable story is being made.
Tony Zurlo, Peace Corps Worldwide
Surprising … [A] complete story of the last days of the Vietnam War.
New York Post
Tells of Americans still in Vietnam as it fell to the North Vietnamese and their struggle to rescue the South Vietnamese … Brought tears to my eyes repeatedly.
Washington Independent Review of Books
Read
August 7, 2020America’s years in Vietnam were full of shame, but the last days of the war saw a remarkable effort at redemption. Breaking rules set by their higher-ups, ordinary Americans — servicemen, diplomats, spies, private citizens — moved heaven and earth to get their Vietnamese friends and allies to safety. Thurston Clarke’s Honourable Exit brings this little-known story to light with the speed and power of a riveting thriller. It challenges us to remember a time when Americans refused to abandon desperate people in a far-off country. It's a kind of Schindler’s List for America's lost war.
George Packer, author of The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq and The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Vietnam is America’s unfinished war — unfinished because so many, men and women, have yet to come home body and soul. Honourable Exit is that homecoming. Beautifully written, achingly poignant, scrupulously reported, this story is a revelation. We see history in ways we hadn't imagined. Honourable Exit is a book for every generation of readers.
Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 Strong and The Odyssey of Echo Company
Thurston Clarke has a genius for finding episodes in history that deserve re-examination. Just as the U.S. rescued its employees and allies from the embassy roof, this gifted story-teller has found gems of heroism, honour, and suspense in an agonising chapter of the American story.
Strobe Talbott, Former Deputy Secretary of State and Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Brookings
Thurston Clarke’s Honourable Exit is the missing book on the Fall of Saigon we've been waiting for. Among other things, it is a brilliant recounting of President Gerald Ford's vital leadership during the last days of the Vietnam War. Over 130,000 South Vietnamese allies were saved because of Ford’s moral certitude. An epic narrative history for the ages!
Douglas Brinkley, author of Cronkite
In this moving account of the “Righteous Americans”, Clarke celebrates the forgotten men and women who, in the face of great opposition, managed to pull off an epic humanitarian and immigration success story. A powerful and inspiring lesson in courage that could not be more relevant today.
Rory Kennedy, Academy Award-Nominated Director and Producer of Last Days in Vietnam
Filled with new information and riveting recreations of daring rescues, this book adds significantly to the history of a notable moment in U.S. military history.
Publishers Weekly
In this intelligent study, [Thurston Clarke] shows how in those final days a motley group of soldiers, diplomats, missionaries and spies airlifted more than 130,000 refugees to America – all in defiance of superiors and public opinion. He creates a nuanced portrait of those days that popular misconceptions of the iconic photograph miss: a complex one of guilt, betrayal and honour.
Steven Carrol, Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Non-Fiction Pick of the Week’
[Thurston Clarke’s] story is a tribute to these brave people ... Honourable Exit shines a light on a time when Americans refused to abandon thousands of their desperate allies. It is perhaps the only good thing.
Margaret Reilly, Daily Post
Despite its unfortunate subtitle, Honourable Exit is a serious, well-researched and engaging attempt to relate the story of the last days of South Vietnam, or the Republic of Vietnam ... declassified U.S. government documents that shed revealing light on the dismal failure of the Ford administration and the ambassador to South Vietnam, Graham Martin, in particular, to prepare for the repatriation of U.S. personnel and the extraction of Vietnamese whose lives would be in danger if they stayed behind ... Clarke excels at balancing captivating oral history and illuminating political history ... The author’s work as a novelist is evident in the way he delineates key players. The good are very good and the bad, well, very bad ... In its final chapters, Honourable Exit expertly captures the mayhem of South Vietnam’s dying days.
Pierre Asselin, The Washington Post
Honourable Exit is another important, and very readable, history from...Thurston Clarke ... Clarke’s research is relentless—he has unearthed and read pertinent material, and interviewed the players in this extraordinary story. The rich bibliography has 141 citations. It’s an extraordinary effort, giving us the back-story for the fall of Saigon. Perhaps most importantly, Thurston Clarke reminds the reader of what America gained by rescuing the Vietnamese refugees.
Jerry McGovern, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Historian Clarke...offers a thrilling and fresh perspective of the Vietnam War based on new information and a showcase of American heroism ... Fans of military and U.S. history will revel in Clarke's expert storytelling, well-crafted re-creations, and research.
David Miller, Library Journal
A detailed account ... [and] harrowing narrative ... Moving to a hair-raising climax, Clarke meticulously sifts through hasty evacuation measures and relates the sad stories of those who did not make it out. A welcome addition to the literature on the Vietnam War.
Kirkus Reviews
Honourable Exit is by far the best book about the tragic end of Vietnam and a must read for those interested in US military operations and especially operations in Southeast Asia.
US Naval Institute, ‘Proceedings’
Clarke’s writing is clear and comprehensive … Clarke’s story needs to be told; needs to circulate around Washington, DC, and be required reading for members of congressional committees. It’s my understanding that a film of this remarkable story is being made.
Tony Zurlo, Peace Corps Worldwide
Surprising … [A] complete story of the last days of the Vietnam War.
New York Post
Tells of Americans still in Vietnam as it fell to the North Vietnamese and their struggle to rescue the South Vietnamese … Brought tears to my eyes repeatedly.
Washington Independent Review of Books
George Packer, author of The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq and The Unwinding: An Inner History of the New America
Vietnam is America’s unfinished war — unfinished because so many, men and women, have yet to come home body and soul. Honourable Exit is that homecoming. Beautifully written, achingly poignant, scrupulously reported, this story is a revelation. We see history in ways we hadn't imagined. Honourable Exit is a book for every generation of readers.
Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 12 Strong and The Odyssey of Echo Company
Thurston Clarke has a genius for finding episodes in history that deserve re-examination. Just as the U.S. rescued its employees and allies from the embassy roof, this gifted story-teller has found gems of heroism, honour, and suspense in an agonising chapter of the American story.
Strobe Talbott, Former Deputy Secretary of State and Distinguished Fellow in Residence at Brookings
Thurston Clarke’s Honourable Exit is the missing book on the Fall of Saigon we've been waiting for. Among other things, it is a brilliant recounting of President Gerald Ford's vital leadership during the last days of the Vietnam War. Over 130,000 South Vietnamese allies were saved because of Ford’s moral certitude. An epic narrative history for the ages!
Douglas Brinkley, author of Cronkite
In this moving account of the “Righteous Americans”, Clarke celebrates the forgotten men and women who, in the face of great opposition, managed to pull off an epic humanitarian and immigration success story. A powerful and inspiring lesson in courage that could not be more relevant today.
Rory Kennedy, Academy Award-Nominated Director and Producer of Last Days in Vietnam
Filled with new information and riveting recreations of daring rescues, this book adds significantly to the history of a notable moment in U.S. military history.
Publishers Weekly
In this intelligent study, [Thurston Clarke] shows how in those final days a motley group of soldiers, diplomats, missionaries and spies airlifted more than 130,000 refugees to America – all in defiance of superiors and public opinion. He creates a nuanced portrait of those days that popular misconceptions of the iconic photograph miss: a complex one of guilt, betrayal and honour.
Steven Carrol, Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Non-Fiction Pick of the Week’
[Thurston Clarke’s] story is a tribute to these brave people ... Honourable Exit shines a light on a time when Americans refused to abandon thousands of their desperate allies. It is perhaps the only good thing.
Margaret Reilly, Daily Post
Despite its unfortunate subtitle, Honourable Exit is a serious, well-researched and engaging attempt to relate the story of the last days of South Vietnam, or the Republic of Vietnam ... declassified U.S. government documents that shed revealing light on the dismal failure of the Ford administration and the ambassador to South Vietnam, Graham Martin, in particular, to prepare for the repatriation of U.S. personnel and the extraction of Vietnamese whose lives would be in danger if they stayed behind ... Clarke excels at balancing captivating oral history and illuminating political history ... The author’s work as a novelist is evident in the way he delineates key players. The good are very good and the bad, well, very bad ... In its final chapters, Honourable Exit expertly captures the mayhem of South Vietnam’s dying days.
Pierre Asselin, The Washington Post
Honourable Exit is another important, and very readable, history from...Thurston Clarke ... Clarke’s research is relentless—he has unearthed and read pertinent material, and interviewed the players in this extraordinary story. The rich bibliography has 141 citations. It’s an extraordinary effort, giving us the back-story for the fall of Saigon. Perhaps most importantly, Thurston Clarke reminds the reader of what America gained by rescuing the Vietnamese refugees.
Jerry McGovern, Adirondack Daily Enterprise
Historian Clarke...offers a thrilling and fresh perspective of the Vietnam War based on new information and a showcase of American heroism ... Fans of military and U.S. history will revel in Clarke's expert storytelling, well-crafted re-creations, and research.
David Miller, Library Journal
A detailed account ... [and] harrowing narrative ... Moving to a hair-raising climax, Clarke meticulously sifts through hasty evacuation measures and relates the sad stories of those who did not make it out. A welcome addition to the literature on the Vietnam War.
Kirkus Reviews
Honourable Exit is by far the best book about the tragic end of Vietnam and a must read for those interested in US military operations and especially operations in Southeast Asia.
US Naval Institute, ‘Proceedings’
Clarke’s writing is clear and comprehensive … Clarke’s story needs to be told; needs to circulate around Washington, DC, and be required reading for members of congressional committees. It’s my understanding that a film of this remarkable story is being made.
Tony Zurlo, Peace Corps Worldwide
Surprising … [A] complete story of the last days of the Vietnam War.
New York Post
Tells of Americans still in Vietnam as it fell to the North Vietnamese and their struggle to rescue the South Vietnamese … Brought tears to my eyes repeatedly.
Washington Independent Review of Books
July 13, 2019
I served at Tan Son Nhut during 1969 and 1970. Much of this book takes place there, so I felt like I really understood more, possibly, than someone who hadn't been there. The book is not an easy read as there are many. many people involved. Some are heroic, some are foolish, some are misinformed and out of touch. If you think the Mexican border is something, check out this book. I've forgotten how much hatred there was in the States with immigrant Asians! Hindsight is 20-20.
July 2, 2019
There are many shameful chapters in history and many shameful wars. Most recently, we have had the ill-fated war in Afghanistan, which perhaps began nobly in the aftermath of 9/11, but which soon morphed into a conflict of ill-defined strategy - was it an exercise in nation building, of anti-terrorism, of drug interdiction? More clearly disastrous, and utterly without justification, was the 2003 invasion of Iraq. And then there’s Vietnam. If any conflict is shrouded in ignominy, it’s arguably America’s war in Vietnam. But in reality, life is never so simple. Whatever the justifications for a given war or intervention, amongst those fighting it might be the brave and honourable. Similarly, some will side with those who history judges to have been in the wrong for all manner of reasons, many not just understandable, but perhaps justifiable also. A good example of this can be seen in Iraq and Afghanistan. Whatever the merits of Western intervention, not a few locals sided with the foreign forces. Many worked for them. And when those forces pulled out, all too often those locals felt abandoned. Interpreters are a case in point. Both the US and UK have faced calls to allow those who assisted their troops seek asylum and many find it shocking how these brave Iraqis and Afghans have felt themselves to be abandoned.
So it is that An Honourable Exit by Thurston Clarke is so relevant. For it tells the story of the efforts by many Americans to help the Vietnamese who assisted them to get to safety. Apart from being a fascinating story in itself, this is also a historical corrective. The abiding image of the American pull out from Saigon after all being one of chaos, of Vietnamese thronging the gates of the embassy compound and watching in impotence as the diplomats inside were evacuated. All this is true, of course. The American withdrawal was chaotic, and those Vietnamese crowding the gates and not being let in were left to their own devices, as were many more. But in this book are the stories, the innumerable stories, of the many efforts to get people out and those they whisked to freedom.
Many of these efforts were unofficial, American men and women disobeying orders to help people escape. Heroism is an overused word, but some of the stories contained in the pages of this book meet the definition, humanitarian efforts in which the Americans concerned went above and beyond to help those who otherwise might face the wrath of the North Vietnamese to flee. A great example is that of the Consul General of Can Tho, who rather than just fly American personnel out by helicopter (thus abandoning the local Vietnamese to their fate) risked a boat voyage and thus evacuated Americans and Vietnamese allies alike. Or there is Al Topping, the Pan Am employee, who adopted 360 Vietnamese employees and their families and thus enabled them to repatriate to the United States.
But there are other more tragic stories in these pages, of rescue missions that didn’t succeed and those that paid the price. One of the most moving in my opinion is that of Tucker Gougelmann. A former CIA officer who had retired to Bangkok, he had married a Vietnames woman and snuck back into the country after the fall of Saigon to help his family escape. Gougelmann was captured by the Vietnamese and tortured to death, his body returned to the US three years later. A friend later managed to secure his family visas and they settled in the United States, Gougelmann posthumously given a star on the famous memorial wall in CIA headquarters in Langley, despite the fact that his rescue mission was unsanctioned, and he was retired at the time.
With the unpopular interventions of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya offering up similar challenges, An Honourable Exit is a fascinating and timely account of how some Americans rebelled at their nations decision to turn its back on friend and ally. This is very readable and gripping account of honourable people in a dishonourable environment and is highly recommended.
So it is that An Honourable Exit by Thurston Clarke is so relevant. For it tells the story of the efforts by many Americans to help the Vietnamese who assisted them to get to safety. Apart from being a fascinating story in itself, this is also a historical corrective. The abiding image of the American pull out from Saigon after all being one of chaos, of Vietnamese thronging the gates of the embassy compound and watching in impotence as the diplomats inside were evacuated. All this is true, of course. The American withdrawal was chaotic, and those Vietnamese crowding the gates and not being let in were left to their own devices, as were many more. But in this book are the stories, the innumerable stories, of the many efforts to get people out and those they whisked to freedom.
Many of these efforts were unofficial, American men and women disobeying orders to help people escape. Heroism is an overused word, but some of the stories contained in the pages of this book meet the definition, humanitarian efforts in which the Americans concerned went above and beyond to help those who otherwise might face the wrath of the North Vietnamese to flee. A great example is that of the Consul General of Can Tho, who rather than just fly American personnel out by helicopter (thus abandoning the local Vietnamese to their fate) risked a boat voyage and thus evacuated Americans and Vietnamese allies alike. Or there is Al Topping, the Pan Am employee, who adopted 360 Vietnamese employees and their families and thus enabled them to repatriate to the United States.
But there are other more tragic stories in these pages, of rescue missions that didn’t succeed and those that paid the price. One of the most moving in my opinion is that of Tucker Gougelmann. A former CIA officer who had retired to Bangkok, he had married a Vietnames woman and snuck back into the country after the fall of Saigon to help his family escape. Gougelmann was captured by the Vietnamese and tortured to death, his body returned to the US three years later. A friend later managed to secure his family visas and they settled in the United States, Gougelmann posthumously given a star on the famous memorial wall in CIA headquarters in Langley, despite the fact that his rescue mission was unsanctioned, and he was retired at the time.
With the unpopular interventions of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya offering up similar challenges, An Honourable Exit is a fascinating and timely account of how some Americans rebelled at their nations decision to turn its back on friend and ally. This is very readable and gripping account of honourable people in a dishonourable environment and is highly recommended.
September 23, 2021
(Audiobook) Read in a vacuum, this is a compelling work of history covering one of the most chaotic and painful times in American history. While it is focused on Vietnam, and particularly the final defeat of South Vietnam and the scramble to evacuate Saigon, this is as much an American story as anything. Perhaps the biggest heroes are those men and women that risked careers and more to save tens of thousands from certain persecution and death. However, some brave acts on the ground do not excuse the mess that got America and the two Vietnams to that point in history. The book covers the miscommunications and errors in political judgment from the White House and the Ambassador as well as the incompetent/corrupt nature of the South Vietnamese government and the duplicity of the North. The author does not spare criticism, but will also acknowledge heroism and dedication to the mission.
Yet, I read this book in the wake of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. The chaos, uncertainty and the drive to try to save those deemed most vulnerable to an advancing adversary…only change the region of Asia and the ethnic groups involved and you might have a similar story. When they write the accounts of Afghanistan 2021, how much will be all too similar to this book about Saigon 1975. It was painful and poignant to read. It showed the best and worst of America in its dealings with its allies.
Perhaps I will be around when this version of the book comes out for Afghanistan. Will be as painful to read as this one? I don’t know for sure. This is a quality read, but not as easy one.
Yet, I read this book in the wake of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. The chaos, uncertainty and the drive to try to save those deemed most vulnerable to an advancing adversary…only change the region of Asia and the ethnic groups involved and you might have a similar story. When they write the accounts of Afghanistan 2021, how much will be all too similar to this book about Saigon 1975. It was painful and poignant to read. It showed the best and worst of America in its dealings with its allies.
Perhaps I will be around when this version of the book comes out for Afghanistan. Will be as painful to read as this one? I don’t know for sure. This is a quality read, but not as easy one.
June 12, 2019
This book fills a void in the history of the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War has been sufficiently covered up to the withdrawal of American troops, however there is little or nothing concerning the massive tasks facing the diplomats and contractors who were remaining after the withdrawal. Many critical issues remained for which there were either no hard plan, or plans that did not meet muster when implemented. The total number of evacuees exceeded the planned number and did not even consider those who were last minute candidates for evacuation. Personal stories such as the Baby Lift disaster, the heroic decisions made either with or without permission such as the Pan Am evacuation highlighted persons who used their assets to the maximum extent. Facing hostile forces, both NVA and routed RVN troops and police, shortages of food and transport these are the stories of heroes who took no lives but saved thousands. It highlighted the confusion, the indecisiveness of diplomats and the political issues which involved people separated not only by thousands of miles, but also by lack of current first hand knowledge of the ground situation. It answered several of my questions about my Vietnamese friends such as LGEN Troung and gave me solace that some survived. This is a must read for all historians of war, it may happen again.
December 22, 2019
‘Honorable Exit’ reads like a thriller, a history lesson and investigative journalism all in one. Clarke leaves few questions unanswered as he takes a deep dive into a long forgotten piece of the Vietnam War, a part that took place long after most Americans had checked out of the conflict. ‘Honorable Exit’ follows the few Americans in leadership positions in Vietnam as they navigate the politics set forth by the US government and South Vietnam as they work to evacuate the remaining US government employees and South Vietnamese allies. At times the book, from the luxury of hindsight, is a frustrating read at politicians in Washington and South Vietnam simultaneously prevented and encouraged various evacuations and future planning for the doomed nation. Ultimately ‘Honorable Exit’ is, at times, dense, but it is an exciting read for Vietnam War enthusiasts and the casual reader who wants to look back on an era many folks try to forget.
December 18, 2024
This was a very informative read. I was familiar with only the basics of this story, but I found it to be gripping. While no one wants to think about the human suffering and failures incurred during this time period, it's important to learn from our history.
While this book was long, the author's pacing and storytelling were excellent. He did a good job providing sources without making you feel like you were reading a bibliography, and reconstructed dialogue was avoided. There are a TON of characters, mostly referred to by last name only, and it can be a lot to keep up with when listening on audio. There was a note at the beginning that in the physical book, there's some kind of list of people with their titles, etc. and that would have been so helpful. I wish there had been an accompanying pdf, because I found myself googling names.
While this book was long, the author's pacing and storytelling were excellent. He did a good job providing sources without making you feel like you were reading a bibliography, and reconstructed dialogue was avoided. There are a TON of characters, mostly referred to by last name only, and it can be a lot to keep up with when listening on audio. There was a note at the beginning that in the physical book, there's some kind of list of people with their titles, etc. and that would have been so helpful. I wish there had been an accompanying pdf, because I found myself googling names.
May 31, 2019
Just like the war itself, the book begins slowly. Stay with it, however, because the end is dizzyingly complex and dramatic. I grew up with the war as my background news. I knew some people who volunteered, and many more who did not. I remember where I was when I heard about Kent State. I wore an MIA bracelet (which I still have). The rhetoric from Washington significantly shaped the political stance I hold today. So, I thought I knew about the war, but reading this book reminds me that I really did not. There were both villains and heroes when it came time to evacuate which means that reading (or listening, in my case) is a very emotional experience. This is an excellent book about a time which, until relatively recently, was too painful to even discuss.
November 24, 2021
It was coincidence that I started this shortly after the withdrawal from Afghanistan. (I had requested it from the library prior to that.) My first thought was "those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it" but when I saw certain names in this book, I realized why the decision on the most recent withdrawal had been made. Reading this book I think you will be surprised by who was showing compassion. One can hope that in twenty or so years that a similar book will be written about Afghanistan and at-risk persons being able to escape.
I do wonder why people from immigrant stock are so anti new immigrants.
I do wonder why people from immigrant stock are so anti new immigrants.
May 21, 2019
Arresting account of the closing of the US embassy in Saigon and the country’s fall to the communists. While this book is indeed about the story behind Van Es’s famous photo, it it is also a carefully researched and painstakingly written account of the political wrangling that led to our exit in April 1975. Then, several hundred pages in, it becomes a more thrilling, harrowing account of human desperation and heroism—the final hours of our presence in Vietnam and a few hearty souls’ efforts to airlift tens of thousands of citizens. Hang in with it, you will be rewarded.
May 31, 2019
Excellent description of the final days of America’s presence in Vietnam and the heroic attempt of a few (some from the Embassy, some CIA, some civilian/contractor) to save as many Vietnamese who were in danger from the North Vietnamese when Saigon fell as possible. Spoiler: we see some very great individuals “where the rubber meets the road” as we used to say when I was a young Infantry Officer at this time; and some in high places who should be ashamed at how they abandoned the brave South Vietnamese and their families who had put their lives on the line for the US for years.
May 13, 2019
Fascinating recount of the heroics of so many people...military, civilian, CIA and State Department...who attempted and mostly succeeded to save both Vietnamese, Americans and others from the brutal violence of the crash of South Vietnam.
June 17, 2019
Clarke has written a true page-turner about heroic men and women acting in the midst of impending disaster. The stories of individual bravery are well researched and filled with great detail. These are stories that few people have heard but need to know.
August 7, 2019
A very well done book. It covered the calamity, confusion and panic that happened when the NVA attacked Saigon. Some miraculous efforts and success by a few innovative individuals. A lot of research was done on this book. Well done.
July 3, 2021
Gripping page-turner that reads like a thriller. The personalities are vividly brought to life by Clarke's writing, and you'll definitely get a feel for all of them as they appear throughout the book. Goodreads doesn't allow half-stars, but this one is a 4.5 in my opinion.
June 6, 2023
An in-depth look at a remarkable moment in history. There's a lot of people to keep track of and the acronyms will make your head spin, but it's well worth the effort.
One person you won't forget: Graham Martin - at best out-of-touch and ill, at worst a certifiably unhinged egomaniac.
One person you won't forget: Graham Martin - at best out-of-touch and ill, at worst a certifiably unhinged egomaniac.
July 5, 2025
In honor of the anniversary and to learn more about the event a dear friend loved through, i picked up this book. I skimmed through most of it. It was an amazing recount of a time when there was no right answer, no heros.
This book was very educational.
This book was very educational.
May 17, 2019
Excellent book. Learned so much about the wars end and the key players. I feel I know so much more about Kissinger and Ford now. What an exciting dramatic book. Would definitely recommend.
June 30, 2019
So what happened to Dottie Martin?
July 23, 2019
Excellent! A story that's well told.
July 25, 2019
A remarkable course of events documented.
So much heroism amongst senseless death.
50 years on and the cycle of endless war & killings continues.
So much heroism amongst senseless death.
50 years on and the cycle of endless war & killings continues.
September 9, 2019
Good reminder of the final days of American involvement in Vietnam. Some heroes, some goats, some I couldn't decide which. Quit reading at the 70% point.
October 7, 2021
Incredible book; hard to read. Reinforced my disgust with the politicians.
January 23, 2022
Again Thurston Clarke does a terrific job with his research and writing. Lots of heartbreak in Vietnam, and the end wasn’t any different. 4 stars.
September 25, 2024
excellent book, reads like a novel, showing the drama of the last weeks of american presence in Dubai through the lense of a few remarkable characters.
October 7, 2025
Excellent account of an extremely painful and divisive chapter in the American story particularly the end of the war.
April 9, 2020
The Vietnam War was the war of my generation. I can still remember watching the horror live on television. The friends who had to serve who came back forever changed. I’m glad to have found this book and also glad I read it. I was introduced to so many American heroes who risked it all in the efforts to save so many thousands of lives both America and South Vietnamese. Incredible heroes. Putting their lives in jeopardy and even defying some orders to save so many. It made me feel so proud of them and so very thankful for their service.
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