Tonight, ABC News looks back at a defining moment in history with a special edition of “20/20.” Airing on ABC News Live at 8:30 p.m., “Operation Babylift: The 50 Year Journey” examines the 1975 mission that evacuated thousands of children from Vietnam as the war ended. This special offers a deeply personal look at the event through the eyes of those who lived it.
What makes this special stand out is the inclusion of Amy Mai Hope Tierney, a former “Good Morning America” producer who was one of the children airlifted during the operation. Adopted by a family in New Jersey, Tierney shares her own story, reflecting on her life and sense of who she is decades after being brought to the United States.
ABC News has a long history with the Operation Babylift story, having covered it for the past fifty years. The special draws on this extensive archive, bringing together footage from “20/20,” “World News Tonight,” and “Good Morning America” to provide context and depth. There are firsthand accounts and witness people who were part of the Babylift mission reuniting for a 50th-anniversary event, providing a direct link to the past.
“Good Morning America” gave folks a look at the special earlier today, hinting at the emotional journey viewers can expect tonight. It’s a chance to understand the impact of Operation Babylift not just as a historical footnote, but through the lives of those it directly affected, like Amy Mai Hope Tierney.
