Secret Ability to Fly
The Secret Ability to Fly had always seemed like a superpower that I had. A superpower known only to those of us who slipped out of deaths grasp. Some survived cancer, some survived war. I survived a plane crash. I have learned that the Secret Ability to Fly is more than a superpower. The Secret Ability to Fly is a gift from those who have loved, supported, cared and have believed in us.
Devaki Murch, an Operation Babylift adoptee and survivor of the 1975 C-5A Galaxy plane crash, embodies a story of resilience, discovery, and transformation. As she often describes it, her narrative has shifted from “black and white to technicolor" over the years.
"Most people have baby books as the record of their early lives, I have New York Times headlines." Her story was first chronicled in headlines across major news outlets such as The New York Times, Hawaii Star Bulletin, Time Magazine, and features by 20/20. These accounts, told from a top-down perspective, framed her as part of a monumental historical event, leaving little room for personal nuance or connection.
Over the years, Devaki’s understanding of her own story evolved. Memoirs and books were published by adoptees and families. In the 90's website started to pop up with stories with links to communities. Independent filmmakers began highlighting adoptees’ perspectives in documentaries brought the C-5A crash to life. The C-5A Galaxy Crash Facebook page created by pilot Bud Traynor, gathered a community among adoptees, survivors, and participants of Operation Babylift. Conversations about long-published images, names, and narratives breathed new life into archival materials, challenging historical inaccuracies and honoring those lost.
With the release of new books, documents, and digital archives, a broader and more inclusive story has emerged—one that encompasses decades of experiences and perspectives. This dynamic process, which Devaki describes as a “Kaleidoscope of Truth,” underscores her commitment to honoring not just her story, but the complex and multifaceted legacy of Operation Babylift.
contact Devaki info@operationbabylift.net