Episode 27: The Shadow of War: The Journey of a Vietnamese-American Soldier

In Episode 27 of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast, we allow Army Lieutenant Colonel Ken Nguyen to tell his harrowing, inspiring story. Ken was born in Saigon in 1975 just before the capital of South Vietnam fell to the communist north, ending the Vietnam War. His father, a Lieutenant Colonel (“trung tá”) with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), was captured, tortured, and forced into hard labor and political indoctrination. After his father’s release, the family was granted asylum in the United States as political refugees. While Ken’s father, who felt abandoned by the American military that encouraged him to fight the north, died too soon to see his son join the U.S. military, Ken has always served in his father’s honor. Ken tells his family’s incredible story on the XVIII Airborne Corps podcast. This is a wrenching story of staggering hardship and incredible odds. It is a story that was difficult for him to tell, but one that must be heard. We strongly encourage all to listen to and pass on this episode. The XVIII Airborne Corps headquarters releases new episodes of the 18th Airborne Corps podcast every Tuesday and Thursday. The show offers insight and wisdom for Army leaders from history, current events, or future technology. If you have a suggestion for the show, please reach out at [email protected].