How A Sailor Reunited With Vietnamese Refugees He Rescued After The Fall Of Saigon
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 тра 2022
- When Vietnam fell into communist control on April 30, 1975, those who remained were forced to make a difficult decision - to stay and live under the new regime, or risk everything and try to escape. Fleeing by boat was dangerous: the United Nations High Commission for Refugees estimates between 200,000 and 400,000 people died from storms, disease, starvation and pirates. NBC News' Vicky Nguyen meets a group who fled on a small fishing boat that got lost in the South China Sea before a chance encounter with a container ship. Georg Pedersen was the 44-year-old chief mate on "Gateway City," a container ship making her final voyage before being scrapped. When he passed a small fishing boat full of people fleeing Vietnam, he convinced his captain to take them all on board. Georg and the refugees he helped spent years looking for each other. Decades later, Georg has now reunited with 28 of the 51 people on that boat, and he’s on a mission to find the rest.
» Subscribe to NBC News: nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC
» Watch more NBC video: bit.ly/MoreNBCNews
NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. NBC News Digital features NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, Nightly News, Meet the Press, Dateline, and the existing apps and digital extensions of these respective properties. We deliver the best in breaking news, live video coverage, original journalism and segments from your favorite NBC News Shows.
Connect with NBC News Online!
NBC News App: smart.link/5d0cd9df61b80
Breaking News Alerts: link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/bre...
Visit NBCNews.Com: nbcnews.to/ReadNBC
Find NBC News on Facebook: nbcnews.to/LikeNBC
Follow NBC News on Twitter: nbcnews.to/FollowNBC
#NightlyFilms #Saigon #Vietnam
I’m so proud to call Captain Georg Pedersen a family friend!
Hej Karl, har du en kontakt til Georg ?
I'm proud to call Georg family
blessings to George and Families
Im a Boat Person in 1984
GEORGE PEDERSON was chief of boatswain mate …his job was responsible the safety of drove the ship ,at that time captain of that ship refused to rescued but gave a command to give the Vietnamese resfugee the food and water .. but he recommended to the captain that the fishing boat need to rescue ..thankfully to chief , captain and all crews that helped rescued the refugees in S .CHINA sea .
I can relate as I was a boat person as well. The world is a beautiful place when we reach out and help one another. Thankyou George and everyone who's challenged their superiors to fight for humanity.
You said it best here. Sometimes as individuals we don't have "authority" but it's up to us to challenge authority when "right is right" and helping one another out is always right in my book. I hope we continue to do the same for everyone trying to escape their country for a better and safer life. Not just Ukraine but all other countries, especially the ones that don't get a lot of mainstream media airtime. I hope we continue to help one another ashore. It makes me sad to think of the many lives lost at sea. I will never not support anyone who wants to immigrate for a better life.
Beautifully said.
I was deployed with the U.S Navy as a helicopter crewchief in the late 70’s and 80’s deployed to the South China Sea. I remember picking people up from these little wooden fishing boats that were over crowded and with standing room only. I remember chasing the Thai pirates away from many of the boats as well as picking up the bodies we were unable to be there in time for. After all these years those rescues are my fondest. Seeing my swimmer being hoisted up to the helicopter on the cable below me with babies held in his arms are the ones I’ll never forget.
Thank You.
The people he saved, the future generation he created....how cool is that!
This is exactly why so many Vietnamese people work so hard to have the American dream. I love this country(USA)for giving us and millions of families an opportunity to succeed in life.
Next time anyone tries to say that one person cannot make a difference!!! Wow! So awesome!
Yes, one person can make a difference. The ambassador of the Republic of China (now Taiwan)whom was stationed in Austria during WWII, he signed as many Austrian Jewish visa to China as he could. Many went to Shanghai and saved. The irony was when the 50th anniversary was celebrated, the celebration took place in the communist china, not in Taiwan, I wish people are more interested in history, maybe then, the world will be better. By the same saying, not too many people know what happen in the Middle East in the early 1970’s, and now they support Palestinians, how sad,
I was one of the boat people in 1987, and I couldn't hold my tears watching this video. Thank you George and thank you America!
Thank you for making the best of life here in Orange County CA. We are all Americans from different ethnicity’s.
Streets of Los Angeles You’re right. Americans come in different colors and ethnicities. America The Beautiful is truly beautiful because it’s a melting pot.❤️ 🇺🇸 ❤️
God bless George and your family🙏🙏🙏
Nice comments of 👍❣️
HERE IN SAN JOSE CALIFORNIA LOVE YOU BACK. WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE HERE IN AMERICA AS AMERICANS! YOUR PEOPLE ARE VERY WELL REPRESENTED HERE IN SAN JOSE.
This is humanity in action. He is an example of humanity. May God bless you, Sir.
I want to meet George and thank you him for his beautiful and kind heart. All the people you have saved have made America great again.
My family and I was rescue by the US Navy. We will forever be grateful to America for saving our life and right after graduated High School I enlisted in the US Navy. I would give up my life to defend this great country anytime.. MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA !!
I was a minor refugee escaping in 1984, We had almost the same size boat with more than 40 people crampled into it, We also lost our engine and were drifting for days on the high open sea, Many large ships went pass, they saw us but nobody help us, in the end it was a Thai fishing boat that helped towed us into Malaysian water and again it was a Maylaysian fishing boat that towed us to shore, it goes to show that kind people like George come in all shapes, sizes and colors, This crazy world needs many more of them. I sincerely wish nothing else but all of the best to all of these kind hearted people.
In 1987, the Malaysia oil rig rescued our fishing boat capacity of 57 people. I still own them a gratitude.
own: You mean ... *owe.*
This is such a great story. George looks amazing for 88yrs old! He’s so sharp and a kind man, bless him!
He's so sharp and one of the kindest people i know
Myself was also a 13 year old boat girl in 1983 got rescued by a group of wonderful kind big heart people like George. Thank you George and a wonderful land of USA for everything I have today
This is also my family’s story . My mom organized a reunion in Rhode Island a few years ago for the Captain that saved her boat. We will forever be grateful to our savior and America for taking us in.
love to see any video from the reunion event.
I know most of south Vietnamese people, once you give them a piece of rice when they in need if they have a chance they would give you a whole meal for the rest of theirs life.
So true.
That is true gratitude and love for one another.
Our small boat was also rescued by an American Navy ship in 1980 and I was only 9 years old. God Bless America!!!
Chúa nào cứu được nước Mỹ?.
@@Nguyenphu81why the hate 💬?
@@JimJam8008Việt Nam có thù oán gì với Mỹ??? Sao mỹ mang bom đạn đến Việt Nam. Bạn ngu thật hay giả vờ ngu 😂😂😂
What an amazing story. Thanks to George with big heart who stood up to rescue these people while his other crew members refuse to take them. God bless him n his family for giving a second chance to these refugees.
This man is life's earth angel , you did the work of god god bless you everyday
Great story. I was on a refugee boat in the Spring1982 and was rescued by a black American sailor on a merchant ship. We were taken to Subic Bay in Manila. I traveled back to the Philippines a few years ago, but was not able to find records of the ship.
I hope you find him!
Perhaps it was an angel or aliens in disguised?
If im not mistaken subic bay is actually an american military base before
As a relative of Georg this just confirms every thing i know about him though the information from family and talks with Georg him self
This man is a great man and i hope to see him again
No man is an island ,no man stand alone, each man's joy is joy to me each man 's dream is my own ,we need one another we must defend each man is my brother and each man is precious in GOD'S SIGHT, THANK YOU GEORGE for saving your fellow HUMAN BEINGS.
Thank you Evan James!!
Awesome!!!👍, 🤗-- I had 5 uncles, and I cousin who served during the VIETMAM WAR-- 1uncle did not return-- my moms youngest brother died March 19th 1968 101rst Airborn( Sereamin Eagles)🇺🇲🇺🇲, he had just spent a whole months leave with us & had to return for another 6months,& then he would have been done😢😭-- one thing I've always known, is that if it wasnt for the mountain people( Montagnards) the American Military woul have suffered a greater loss than we actually did😢, The Green Berets & Special Forces trained the Montagnards to fight the enemy along side them👍🇺🇲
I remember those dark days..it's good to see those children grow into adults
I kinda remember when this happened in vietnam I was very young , if I remember correctly many refugees got relocated to miami , my parents went to visit them to help them , they got great support from people in miami , we could relate to them cause we were Cubans and were going through basically same thing , the families were in a hotel were they were temporarily housed , my dad gave them money ... cause he said that's what they really needed ...
George, from the bottom of all of our hearts, thank you! Our tiny boat sank off the coast of Malaysia. We were on a tiny deserted island for about a month before a Navy ship rescued us. This was in 1979.
What a beautiful story! You’re my hero George. Wish you were there for us too. :). Just kidding we were lucky to make it to Indonesia in 1985. We were lost for 8 days and 7 nights without water and food. Long story short I have been living the dream ever since I’ve set me foot here. Thank you America! Thank you for taking us in with open arms.
A great Dane ❤️❤️ Makes me proud to be danish.
I will definitely read the book and link to rest of family of whom many are seamen / navigators.
(My godfather is coincidentally also named Georg Pedersen, former commander of the Royal Danish Navy seals at Avedøre, Denmark).
Never forget in my life. Thanks God and thanks America 🇺🇸 for helping us. We’re very appreciate that always.❤️🇺🇸👍🏻🙏
❤️🙏
You have spoken well ,let’s get to know each other
My tears is running down in 47 years.
I wouldn't dare to cry, because I will losing you 🇺🇸💕🌱🥲
We're glad you're here with us. This is where you belong.
Love this story this man is a hero thank god
This hero reminds me of Schindler List. I'm in tears, Happy tears to kwthat there's still a kind human. God bless him and these Vietnamese survivors🙏🙏🙏
What a lovely story! Hope He get to reunite with all of people he rescued.
Not all
Wow, the Vietnamese people are so very beautiful. I am so glad you were saved. And I am sorry for the loss of loved ones and your birth country.
Barbara, I came here from Saigon on April 75, and start working and studying English at the same time. After 47 years of hard work., now I enjoy my retirement. I never forget what the people in America teach and help me through my whole life. Each working day in the US is just like a holiday for me, because I enjoy the freedom life I had in my homeland, the USA. Not like in the communist country Vietnam. Thank you, thank your parents, your brothers, and sisters who gave me a new life. May God Bless America. Thank you to all the Vietnam veterans, you are like my brothers and sisters.
@@nanalcd5628 Thank you for telling us more. America is richer with you as part of it.
George, you're an amazing person! Although I'm not one of the boat people, my family and I were refugees from the Vietnam War. We escaped communist Laos in 1975 and lived in two different refugee camps in Thailand before several Lutheran Churches in Minnesota brought us to the USA. I thank God and all those who had given us the chance to live.
As a boat person and a Vietnamese political refugee, who had to escape communism, the oppressive and corrupt regime in Vietnam in 1981, I had been and am still very thankful to God, to Catholic charities, to other Christian refugee services from other nations, United Nation Refugee Services and the good heart and generosity of the American people. I thanked my parents who did their best to get all of us out of Vietnam so we could have a better life and freedom as there was no future for my siblings and me because my father was a senator of the Republic of Vietnam. Thank you for bringing this story to light, Vicky Nguyen. The world needs to know the horrific crimes and the evil of communism. The Jewish people did a very good job reminding the world the holocaust and the evil of Nazism; we, Vietnamese, need to constantly remind the world about the evil and the terror that communist regime brought on their own people.
Well said.
Hear hear..
You are absolutely right! My family and I are forever grateful !!!
You cant say that to hundred millions of Vietnamese people, including me, traitor
I agree with you Khoi nguyen!
Thank you George. The world needs more people like you. What a beautiful soul!💝🙏🏼🌹
What an amazing story with inspiring outcomes. I am not Vietnamese and only learned about boat people and their stories as an adult in the mid-2000. I wondered why we didn’t learn about this during k-12 and how if we did, we would all have more appreciation and tolerance of other people’s cultures and unique experiences.
*acceptance
So related to me as well, I was 9 year old, over 40 years ago, escaped Vietnam with mom, siblings, aunts, cousins and others by a little fisherman boat just enough to squeeze everyone in. I am in tears when I watch this story
Me too,I was boat people 1981, tear still went down when watching this clip .Thank you America.
It’s so interesting, my parents and relatives left before the conflict and during that time too on ships too, to Hong Kong then to Canada . It’s interesting how it’s so relatable to many out there. Very interesting indeed
Me too, boat people in 1978. Now I am enjoying my retirement life.
Hello all. I was a refugee myself in 1984. This story is touching my heart when I was watching this. Thanks to all the kind hearts.
Awesome story about awesome people. I didn't know so many refugee boats were lost and doomed. How kind of all of them to reconnect with George and make him feel whole again.
Thank you George and many more like George for the compassion and humanity. Wishing you health and happiness. 💝 From one of the Boat Peoples.
This man is an angel
Humanity at it best!!! Thank you sir. ... From a 12 year old Vietnamese refugee in 1975.
This is amazing and thank God for George helping them and always kept them on his heart and mind.
An incredible story! That baby at 6:38 is SO CUTE! 🥰
The CUTEST!
Thank you George for your love and kindness had saved those families. God bless you Sir.
Thanks to the good hearted people, Mr George is an angel.
You're an angel sent from heaven 😍🤗🤩😭
Thank you sr for savings those people even risking your own person going against your policies showing the big heart
This video make me cry. Tears of gladness for such a wonderful person like George. And tears of joy for all the refugees who got their 2nd chance of life in this world. Spread good works.. Let's be helpful with one another. 💝💝💝
I wasn’t a person on that boat that day. I am just like all the others Vietnamese refugees who was running away from Vietnam. When the Saigon fallen into the hands of the Communists regime. The peoples you were rescued them that was the right time and the right place. I pay my full respects to you. Because you have got a golden heart not many people has the same. That’s why when we are still alive we must remember this.IDIOMS WITH SENTENCES.WHEN YOU EAT FRUIT, YOU MUST REMEMBER WHO PLANTED THE TREE. God blessed you and your family George. This is an amazing story
“When people need help we provide help” said George. Well said, very simple, just that!
Wishing you a great health and get more connection with this interesting piece!
This man is a true hero.
Everyone on that ship was a hero. Thank you.
Salute to you, Sir. From all of us Vietnamese refugees. From USA
Being a boat person myself, this put me to tears. Thank you George and thank you, America!
That is so wonderful they got to reconnect!
I LOVE GEORGE PEDERSEN WHO RESCUED OUR PEOPLE. WE ARE CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM THAT ALL OF US ARE HEADING TO BY UNITY.
Not going to lie I cried my face off. My parents were boat ppl in 1979 and made it to Galang, Indonesia. We ended up in Canada
Omg! 💝💞What a Remarkable man he is to save so many lives!!! I was a refugee too and was lucky enough to escaped communism at 6 years old in the early 80’s. This story about the “boat people” makes me cry… Thank you George!!! The world would be a better place if there were more of you, George!!! 💜 Much gratitude for your act of human kindness!!!👏🏻 🤗
Thanks Vicky, I wasn’t on a boat for settled in US. I settled in the US on a different status, my family wasn’t not left behind and half of us were on the US Helicopter but we got off the chopper for helping our mum and three of hers small one, we missed the trip. 5 hours later the situation in completely changed and became the dark day 4/30/75. I spent 11 years in their controlled. Amazingly we tolerated all those years with food and no shelter nor a roof over our heads to sleep especially with my new born when my breast’s milk dried out. Any time I am seeing any pictures or clips or report taking about these SVN victims, I m choking and sobbing and it has been over 47 years and my heart is broken for the people whose still including the youngers💔💔💔
I was a boat refugee in 1981. Our boat was not rescued and we landed in Indonesia but I can relate to this story. I was unfortunate to go back and visit Galang a few years ago. Thank you George for helping us the refugees. I just bought his book from Amazon, "My 48 Years at Sea: From Deck Boy in Denmark to Captain in America."
Amazing story! Can’t hold my tears.
As myself was 11 years old boat girl in 1978.
Thanks Captain George a heartwarming to rescued and save those family . God bless you and family.
That was so touching and beautiful I have to cry! I am a Chinese refugee from Vietnam also by boat! All people in the boat made it to Hong Kong! I realize now how lucky we were and still are! My parents and my brothers and sisters went to Germany!
Where are you now? Did you go with them or stayed in HK which was almost impossible back then?
@@user-jb6qs8yt9m I went with my family to Gernany
Thx to the sailors. Theses are our heros. These people are angels
Thanks George and May god bless you always.
Thank you for the heartwarming story. We need to be reminded there is good in the world among all the bad things that's currently taking stage.
Sweet man, the world needs more like him
Such a good story🥺🥰🦋
Thank you for rescued my people🙏.
My own family is not boat people-airplane people. My Dad failed to bring his kids out of Saigon after the war. I was born in 1977 and had been experiencing what is communism until we finally escaped Saigon in 2015 to New Zealand. Don't trust what Vietcong say, see what they do - South Vietnam President Nguyen Van Thieu said. Hats off Sir for rescuing our people. Thank you those who welcome us to their countries.
Glad you made it out. Lots of folks don't know how evil commies are. I made it out in 1991.
@@kha9867 Congrat!. We finally made it.
Is it really tough living under the Vietnamese communist regime?
The President, Vice President and vnch generals all followed the French colonialists and were trained by France to suppress and shoot at the Vietnamese people. Don't say they followed French colonialism to fight communism, because they followed France before there was communism in Vietnam. And President diem himself said: America's border is at the 17th parallel. Am I right, cowards? Everyone sees that, but cowards who sell their hometowns are only good at going on the internet and cursing the country where your parents were born and raised.
Now, Vietcong is an ally of the United States to conain China。 Their relationship is on hoatoric high.
Captain Georg Pederson, you’re our Hero!!!
Amazing Captain George. God bless you and family. Thanks to wonderful hero!
This is such a beautiful story. I remember watching the "Vietnamese boat people" on the news when I was a child and being desperately worried about them. Today was the first time I learned how many of them died. I am disgusted to hear that so many ships passed them by and didn't rescue them. But I shouldn't be surprised: Syrian refugees have been facing similar fates in the present day. Like so many other North Americans, my recent ancestors - my grandparents - were refugees. I hope we'll all remember to treat refugees well, and extend as much help to them as we possibly can.
Much much respect to this man. I to am a refugee who came by boat. Brings back memories. It was exactly what he said. We met people at the right time and are very fortunate to have a second chance of freedom
It's move my heart! He is a true angel !
A real sailorman knows what is his duty in open sea, he dont need to think for knowing what to do. George is a true sailorman.
Great reporting, Ms. Nguyen. Your work reminds us that angels do exist. May God continue to bless George, his family and the families that George helped.
Thankyou George and everyone who's challenged their superiors to fight for humanity. May God bless you All
I love this story. I’m an Operation Babylift orphan from 1975 Saigon and think stories such as this one must be shared. Thank you Georg and NBC for telling this important tale!
he will die a hero saving all those peoples lives
For a container ship like the Gateway City, this is a spectacular ending to an otherwise uneventful career carrying cargoes around the world.
I'm luckily to be able to come to America by plane but nevertheless my family is still an immigrants. Thank you America for helping us vietnamese to have a better life. This story definitely got me very emotional!
Thank you Mr. George Pedersen.
On the sea, we are all brothers and sisters - if only we could apply that to the land.
And in space, we are one of humanity but yet not much on land.
My family were the lucky few who were able to be airlifted out after the fall of Saigon. But ive heard so many horrible stories from family friends who came by boat. God bless these people who rescued them
This is the people I will always love and admire because they rescue me too ♥️ 🇺🇸 America
Eternally grateful to George and all the kind hearts that saved and helped the Vietnamese refugees.
No words are enough to describe my gratitude.
God bless you all.
I’m touched. Thank you, Vicky Nguyên and ABC NEWS.
Thank you George. You are a big Hero
I’m a boat person in 1980 . This makes me cry !!
I'm so glad you survived..
Bless you
Beautiful story. Thank you George. You will forever be a hero to this Family’s legacy.
Amazing !!!!
I'm so touched because I was just one of them !!!
Very emotional. This video gave me tears of joy for the Vietnamese people and this kind and compassionate human that helped them . Thank you for sharing this video with me and the world.
Truly a beautiful story.
Such a. heartfelt story Captain Georg Pedersen. It was so nice to see the many Vietnamese you rescued to be so appreciative. Wishing everyone a good life!
So emotional for the reunion. Thank you the sailor!
Thanks Mr.George and to all Mr Kindness around the world did helping us when we run away from communist and don’t know where to go and you are the angels come to save us!! Thanks again and again!! Wishing you and family healthy and good luck !!!
This is a great story.
This is an amazing story! ☺️
As a refugee myself, I can't hold back the tears watching this video. How are these people able to hold back tears whilst talking to their saviour is amazing, I would lose it. My mum told me some stories of what she, my brother (2.5 years old) and I (4) had to endure to get to Australia. She said the boat we were on was rickety and there were countless number of sharks following our boat. She said there was a storm at one stage, and she thought we were going down for sure, so she recited the Hail Mary prayer, and by the end of it, the storm immediately cleared itself. She said that a shipping vessel saw us and saved us before the rickety boat would break apart.
When did you flee? I was 3 years old in 1979 when we fled to Hong Kong by boat
Towards the end of 1982.