Marine Corps Installations West

Kristen Mai Pham is a woman who arrived at Camp Talega as a refugee after the Fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. Once living a life of leisure and opulence, her luxurious lifestyle came to an abrupt end upon the communist takeover of South Vietnam. Pham was one of 50,000 refugees to pass through Camp Talega during its period of operation. Hear her incredible story of how her experience in a vague piece of Camp Pendleton history helped shape her into, not only a successful published author, but a quality American citizen. (U.S. Marine Corps Video by LCpl. Dylan Chagnon)

A part of the Camp Pendleton 75th Anniversary series that highlights Camp Pendleton's involvement in Marine Corps History. Following the Fall of Saigon, Camp Pendleton opened its doors to refugees from Vietnam.