Remembering Vietnam Veterans: American, South Vietnam vets pause to reflect

Published May 6, 2016
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Team Tinker honored Vietnam veterans during a retreat ceremony held April 27 at the Major Charles B. Hall Air Park.

Recognizing the Vietnam veterans, retired Col. Mark Tarpley said service was what it was all about.

"There was a common link with those serving in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. We served whether on the ground, in the air or sea," said Mr. Tarpley, who was one of two keynote speakers during the event. "The Vietnam veterans have the honor, respect and thanks of a grateful nation."

The other keynote speaker, retired Lt. Col. William Schwertfeger, served uniquely as a prisoner of war after being shot down near the demilitarized zone on his second tour in Southeast Asia.

Colonel Schwertfeger spent more than 400 days in captivity at the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He was released in March 1975.

Recalling the first prisoner he saw, Mr. Schwertfeger talked about Capt. Max Nguyen, a South Vietnamese Army captain who was used for transferring information. He, along with Jeremiah Denton, Admiral James Stockdale, Bud Day and Brig. Gen. Robby Reisner, called themselves the "4th Allied POW Wing."

"We learned to control our mind," said Mr. Schwertfeger. "Robby spent 4 1/2 years in solitary confinement. We tapped out messages on the wall using a 5-by-5 quadratic."
Mr. Schwertfeger said the prisoners knew the Viet Cong could beat up their physical bodies, but if the prisoners gave up their minds, they would die. Some of them did give up.

"Whatever your situation, it is not that bad," said Mr. Schwertfeger. "Our mission is the profession of arms. Everyone's job is to put bombs on target -- however you do that -- we're all one team. Destroy the enemy in his country so none of us die in our country."

Special guest retired Lt. Col. Vinh Nguyen, of the South Vietnamese Army and the chairman of the Vietnamese American community, recalled his trip to America when he and his family fled Vietnam.

"As a lieutenant colonel, I would have been killed," said Mr. Nguyen. "My family and I escaped on a little boat in the China Sea. After 36 hours, one U.S. Navy ship rescued us and took us to Guam. We later went to Camp Pendleton as refugees."

Mr. Nguyen said since the end of the Vietnam War, April 30, 1975, some 3 million people have fled Vietnam for a better life, and 2 million of them have chosen the United States to be home. He said a friend told him to move to Oklahoma City.

To honor Vietnam veterans, Mr. Nguyen has proposed a memorial at Military Park on west Classen Avenue in Oklahoma City. He unveiled the design for the park, and he's nearly raised the $210,000 needed to complete the memorial.

"It is imperative that we never forget those who fought valiantly to preserve liberty for our nation," Col. Stephanie Wilson, 72nd Air Base Wing commander. "We must never forget these heroes. They upheld the highest traditions of our armed forces -- loyalty, commitment, valor, integrity, service before self and excellence."

Colonel Wilson recognized the 58,200 Americans who lost their lives, the 766 prisoners of war, the 200,000 South Vietnamese veterans and the 1,621 U.S. service members who remain unaccounted for.

"On March 24, 1975, the last one left Vietnam and, in a tragedy we must ensure is never repeated, came home to ridicule, not praise," said the colonel. "Honor their sacrifice in all we do and show them the respect they deserve. I am proud to be an Airman and I am proud to serve my country and more proud to have the opportunity to thank you for your service today."