Luncheon Meeting

Mrs. Jennifer, Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas Nguyen (RVN) & Family

Mrs. Jennifer, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Nguyen, and their family of six —citizens of the Republic of Vietnam—entered April 29, 1975, known as “Black April,” facing fierce and grueling challenges. Thomas, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force, watched from the cockpit of his F-5E Tigershark as North Vietnamese soldiers and tanks overran Saigon. Narrowly escaping in a bullet-riddled aircraft, LTC Nguyen flew safely to U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield, Thailand. Forced to leave his family behind, he did so only after ensuring evacuation plans for them were underway.

On April 22, 1975, worried for her family’s safety, Jennifer reported to work as rockets and bombs fell nearby. Understanding the impending fall of his country, Thomas sent his driver to retrieve Jennifer and the children for evacuation by U.S. military forces. Told only that it was a short vacation, Jennifer did not realize she and the children were leaving behind everything they had ever known.

After a brief visit later that evening, Thomas departed once more to continue the fight against communism. Jennifer and their four children—the eldest six years old and the youngest eight months old—later boarded a C-130 Hercules aircraft. Alongside eighty-two other women and children, they endured an uncertain journey. Denied entry into the Philippines and Thailand, they eventually arrived in Guam. Seven days later, Thomas reunited with his family.

The Nguyen family was later flown to Camp Pendleton, California, where former U.S. Air Force instructor pilot Major Larry Johnson helped them find a sponsor to begin a new life in America.

Thomas earned a degree in Chemical Engineering and later retired from Northrop Grumman. Jennifer returned to the workforce while joining her husband in decades of community service. Together they supported organizations including the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dallas, the Dallas–Fort Worth Vietnamese American Air Force Association, the Garland Chamber of Commerce, the Garland Multicultural Commission, and the Vietnamese American Community of Greater Dallas. Jennifer also founded the Garland Vietnamese National Community Center in 1999.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen and Mrs. Jennifer Bong Nguyen have been married for 59 years. In retirement, they continue serving their community with dedication and compassion.

During this presentation you will learn:

• How Vietnamese Air Force Pilot LTC Nguyen managed to escape from Saigon to Thailand on a daring flight the very same day the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) invaded Saigon in 1975.
• The Nguyen family’s arduous journey and the challenges they faced to obtain U.S. citizenship, along with their wife Jennifer and daughter Tracy.
• The Nguyen family’s joys and experiences of living in America.

At checkin, please purchase raffle tickets from Marshal Teipel to support our YLC programs.

Please indicate that you will attend by registering with the following options: 1. By registering on the chapter web site and paying by PayPal or credit card at dallasmoww.org “events” NLT 5:00PM THE THURSDAY BEFORE ($38.00); 2. Mailing a check ($37) TO ARRIVE NLT 5:00PM THURSDAY THE WEEK BEFORE to MOWW-Dallas; P.O. Box 12081; Dallas 75225.

Once early registration is closed, walk-in attendance is $40. 

Meal price includes buffet by the Park City Club staff and free parking. Coffee/tea available for $4 at check in.