SAVANNAH, Ga. () — The end of April marks the 50th Anniversary of the ‘Fall of Saigon’ and one local family is also remembering a man who played a key role in the end of the Vietnam War, Richard Armitage.

Armitage recently died at 79 years old from a pulmonary embolism. Not only was he a naval officer, but he served in many state and defense department roles, notably deputy secretary of state under President George W. Bush.

In a 2018 interview with Viet Diaspora Stories, Armitage talked about his time in Siagon. His mission in April 1975 was to destroy South Vietnamese naval equipment.

While he succeeded, he also made a moral call to bring nearly 30,000 Vietnamese refugees to safety in the Philippines on 31 ships.

“My government was quite angry,” Armitage said. “It wasn’t their plan; it was my plan… I wish we would have gotten 100,000 or 200,000.”

Armitage earned the Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal, all with Combat Vs. His family says he made it his mission to strengthen the relationship between U.S. And foreign countries.

Paul Armitage, one of his eight children, got emotional talking with News 3 about how proud he is.

“It’s just amazing, you get goosebumps just kind of hearing it, and it really puts things into a different perspective,” Paul said.

Paul said the recent passing of his father caused him to look back and reflect on his life and some of the stand-out memories he has of him. Richard spent the last years of his life serving under the title “Dad-a” to his 12 grandchildren, many who live in the Savannah area.

The family bonded over sports – basketball in particular.

“I think the thing I’ll miss most about him is seeing him with the kids,” Paul said.

After he left government service in 2005, he founded Armitage International, a consulting firm which he ran until his death.  In 2005, Armitage was awarded a knighthood from the Queen of England and has since received awards from the governments of Japan, New Zealand, Australia, and Romania as well as an honorary doctorate from Keio University in Japan.  

In 2013, he received the Distinguished Graduate Award from the Naval Academy, where he will be buried.

He is survived by his wife Laura Samford Armitage, eight children and 12 grandchildren.