Today, Huan Nguyen, age 60, became the first Vietnamese-born US Navy Rear Admiral. He is the fourth Vietnamese-born general and flag officers. US Army Major General Viet Xuan Luong, age 54, was promoted in 2014 and soon to be US Army Major General Lap The Chau Flora, age 57, was promoted in 2016. Not in picture is US Marine Corps Brigadier General Bill Seely III (promoted in 2016).
Nguyen
was born in Hue Vietnam, the son of an armor officer in the Army of the
Republic of Vietnam. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, Nguyen’s mother and
father, along with his five brothers and sister were killed by Viet
Cong Communist guerillas in their family home outside Saigon.
Nine-year-old Nguyen was shot in the arm and thigh, with another bullet
piercing his skull. He stayed with his mother for two hours, until she
bled out and died. Amazingly, Nguyen survived and escaped after dark.
In 1975, at age 16, they fled Vietnam, seeking refuge in the United States following the fall of Saigon.
Theme from "The Lion King"
In 1975, at age 16, they fled Vietnam, seeking refuge in the United States following the fall of Saigon.
More @ Little Saigon
Theme from "The Lion King"
As the news spread about the nomination of Navy Captain Huấn Từ Nguyễn to be rear admiral, some astute studiers of the Vietnam War could not help but notice the captain's history.
At 14, Nguyen arrived in Guam as refugee
right after the Fall of Saigon in 1975.
Seven years before, he was badly injured during the attack by the communist rebels during the surprise Tet Offensive. Some of the rebels pretended to be civilians and infiltrated key areas in Saigon. Nguyen's family was captured at their home in the early morning of the fight. The rebels targeted his family because his dad, Lt. Colonel Tuan Nguyen, was the head of an armored division protecting the city. His parents along with his 6 siblings and his 80 years old grandma were executed. He was the only one in his family survived the brutality.
Seven years before, he was badly injured during the attack by the communist rebels during the surprise Tet Offensive. Some of the rebels pretended to be civilians and infiltrated key areas in Saigon. Nguyen's family was captured at their home in the early morning of the fight. The rebels targeted his family because his dad, Lt. Colonel Tuan Nguyen, was the head of an armored division protecting the city. His parents along with his 6 siblings and his 80 years old grandma were executed. He was the only one in his family survived the brutality.
More @ Little Saigon Inside
