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  • quilt
    Shirley Peck-Barnes of Denver, Colorado, made this quilt in 2000. In 1975, she was a hospital administrator who cared for children involved in Operation Babylift. The “po...Show more
    Shirley Peck-Barnes of Denver, Colorado, made this quilt in 2000. In 1975, she was a hospital administrator who cared for children involved in Operation Babylift. The “postage stamp” pattern quilt is made from scraps of clothing worn by children who came to the U.S. during rescue efforts. Peck-Barnes gifted sister quilts to World Airways and the People of the Republic of Vietnam. Gift of Shirley Peck-Barnes Show less

    Artifact No. 2004.307, Operation Babylift Quilt; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)

  • three frame fragements
    Fragments taken from the tragic C5A crash site on April 4, 1975. Gift of David Barnes

    Artifact No. 2007.65.1, C5A Plane Fragments in Display Case; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)

  • A white and blue horizontally-striped shirt has a blue ringneck and blue cuffs. A pair of matching blue pants has an elastic waistline.
    An assortment of clothing worn by the children rescued during Operation Babylift. Gift of David Barnes

    Artifact No. 2007.65.167 a-b, Blue Striped Shirt and Pants Set; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)

  • White Sneakers
    These shoes were worn by a child who was evacuated from Vietnam during Operation Babylift in April 1975. Gift of David Barnes

    Artifact No. 2007.65.8 a-b, White Sneakers; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)

  • glass baby bottle
    Operation Babylift volunteers used these bottles to feed babies during the airlift. Gift of David Barnes

    Artifact No. 2007.65.18 a-c, Glass Baby Bottle; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)

  • badge with SPOVO PERSONNEL typed on it with the number 32 handwritten
    The SPOVO badge worn by President Gerald R. Ford as he welcomed orphans from Operation SPOVO (Support for Vietnamese Orphans), which was the official name for what became...Show more
    The SPOVO badge worn by President Gerald R. Ford as he welcomed orphans from Operation SPOVO (Support for Vietnamese Orphans), which was the official name for what became popularly known as Operation Babylift. Donor Unknown Show less

    Artifact No. 1992.2, SPOVO - President Ford's Operation Babylift Personnel badge; Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum (Grand Rapids, MI)

    quilt
    three frame fragements
    A white and blue horizontally-striped shirt has a blue ringneck and blue cuffs. A pair of matching blue pants has an elastic waistline.
    White Sneakers
    glass baby bottle
    badge with SPOVO PERSONNEL typed on it with the number 32 handwritten