The Foreign Service Journal, March 2022

AFSA NEWS 72 MARCH 2022 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL ous and rapidly evolving situation will serve as an inspiration to future generations of those who voluntarily serve America abroad. … “On April 30, 1975, barely 46 years ago, the People’s Army of Viet Nam captured Saigon, bringing an end to the South Vietnamese govern- ment and terminating America’s two-decade long involvement in the country. … “Thanks to the bravery and determina- tion of a small group of Foreign Service officers, including Lionel Rosenblatt, Craig Johnstone and Parker Borg, who are here today, the first Vietnamese were rescued. “Rosenblatt, Johnstone and Borg operated without official sanction and often in the face of opposition. Other Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel took the initiative to begin planning inWashington without official blessing or orders and putting their careers at risk. Over time, what these individuals began … developed into a massive undertaking. Thousands of others, employees of the United States government and their families and members of Viet Nam’s government and military establishments were evacuated. “We remember those in government and military service, who made it possible for the United States to discharge a debt of honor.” The awards luncheon was attended by 120 people, including AFSA President Eric Rubin, as well as Barbara Stephenson, a former president of AFSA, and Ambassador (ret.) Tom Pickering. Past recipients of the Annenberg award include Ambassa- dor (ret.) John Negroponte, former Secretary of State James Baker III and Ambassador William Burns, director of the CIA and former deputy secretary of State. n Annenberg Award Honors Diplomats Who Helped Evacuate Allies from Afghanistan (2021) and Vietnam (1975) On Nov. 9, 2021, the American Academy of Diplomacy presented its annual Walter and Leonore Annenberg Award for Excellence in Diplomacy during a luncheon at the DACOR Bacon House. This recognition of exemplary contributions to the field of American diplomacy was presented to all U.S. government personnel engaged in the August 2021 Afghanistan evacua- tion, and to Foreign Service and Civil Service personnel who contributed to the evacuation of Vietnam in 1975. Ambassador Ross Wilson, who was serving as chargé d’affaires at Embassy Kabul at the time of the evacuation, accepted the award on behalf of all who served dur- ing the U.S. withdrawal fromAfghanistan. The Vietnam evacuation award was accepted by Ambassa- dor (ret.) Parker Borg, Ambassador (ret.) Craig Johnstone and retired Foreign Service Officer Lionel Rosenblatt on behalf of all personnel who engaged in the effort. Ambassador (ret.) Ronald Neumann, president of the academy, presented the awards, reading from the full citations, excerpted here: “Today, we focus on the extraordinary bravery, commitment and dedication to the service of our country in Afghanistan of American diplomats and military personnel during the tumultu- ous days of evacuation last summer. Our women and men, and representatives from dozens of other countries and organiza- tions, affected the air evacuation fromAfghanistan of U.S. nationals and staff, their allied and other foreign counterparts, Afghans at risk, and family members—124,000 people in all, the largest such evacuation in history. … “Dangerous, chaotic circumstances and competing demands weighed on all those involved at the Kabul airport. U.S. troops and diplomats mourned the loss of 13 American Marines, soldier and sailor, as well as over 200 Afghans, in the suicide attack carried out by ISIS on August 26. “Embassy personnel and many military colleagues deployed to help carry out this massive evacuation, fielded thousands of pleas for help, and sought to accomplish as much as possible for as many as possible safely and securely. … “They answered the call of duty. Their professionalism, dedication, courage, and creativity in the face of a very danger- Ambassador Ross Wilson (at left) and Ambassador (ret.) Ronald Neumann. The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Award for Excellence in Diplomacy was presented to U.S. personnel who engaged in evacuation efforts 46 years apart. PHOTOSFROMTHEAMERICANACADEMYOFDIPLOMACY/JENIFERMORRIS