Nguyễn Qúy An (born January 18, 1943) is a former Major in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force who risked his life to rescue four Americans in a downed chopper while he was on a different mission. For his actions he was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star. In a subsequent combat mission he lost both of his arms when his helicopter was shot down during a combat mission.
In 1962 An graduated from high school in Saigon. He served as a helicopter pilot in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force from 1963 to 1974, and received some of his training at Fort Rucker, Alabama and Fort Wolters, Texas. He flew numerous combat missions in support of American and South Vietnamese troops in Vietnam. He made three attempts to escape Vietnam, but was apprehended each time and imprisoned.[1]
On June 14, 1969, he was awarded the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross for 'Heroism while participating in aerial flight'.
Political asylum granted by the United Statesedit
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The United States passed special laws designed to help South Vietnamese who had experienced special hardship during the war to immigrate to the United States. One provision of this law is that those South Vietnamese who spent a year or more in North Vietnamese "re-education camps" were allowed to enter the United States by special provision. However, because of his amputated arms, Major An was released from such a camp after only nine weeks, and so did not qualify. What he had done for his American comrades-in-arm was completely ignored and only after a staggering amount of paperwork and the special efforts of a U.S. Congressman did Major An receive permission to immigrate to the United States.
After a special law was enacted, Major An was granted legal residency and citizenship on October 31, 1996.[1] However, this special consideration did not apply to his daughter, Nguyen Ngoc Kim Quy, who takes care of him, and additional efforts had to be made before she was able to come to the United States.
Nguyen Van Kiet - Petty Officer Third Class in the Republic of Vietnam Navy recipient of the Navy Cross.
Tran Van Bay, Army of the Republic of Vietnam - Private First Class Tran was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism after he sacrificed his life to save a U.S. Marine on February 19, 1967.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abc. Thomas.loc.gov. Archived from the original on 2014-11-02. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
^. Archived from the original on September 21, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
External linksedit
Senate lets former South Vietnamese major who saved 4 Americans remain in U.S (Photo of Major Nguyen)
King helped Vietnamese rescuer remain in U.S.
THE VIETNAM WAR VETERANS
May 02, 2024
nguyễn, qúy, born, january, 1943, former, major, republic, vietnam, force, risked, life, rescue, four, americans, downed, chopper, while, different, mission, actions, awarded, united, states, distinguished, flying, cross, silver, star, subsequent, combat, miss. Nguyễn Quy An born January 18 1943 is a former Major in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force who risked his life to rescue four Americans in a downed chopper while he was on a different mission For his actions he was awarded the United States Distinguished Flying Cross and Silver Star In a subsequent combat mission he lost both of his arms when his helicopter was shot down during a combat mission Nguyễn Quy AnBorn 1943 01 18 January 18 1943 age 81 Viet NamService wbr branchRepublic of Vietnam Air ForceRankMajor Thiếu Ta Battles warsVietnam WarAwardsDistinguished Flying Cross In 1962 An graduated from high school in Saigon He served as a helicopter pilot in the Republic of Vietnam Air Force from 1963 to 1974 and received some of his training at Fort Rucker Alabama and Fort Wolters Texas He flew numerous combat missions in support of American and South Vietnamese troops in Vietnam He made three attempts to escape Vietnam but was apprehended each time and imprisoned 1 Contents 1 Distinguished Flying Cross citation 2 Political asylum granted by the United States 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksDistinguished Flying Cross citation editOn June 14 1969 he was awarded the U S Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism while participating in aerial flight Political asylum granted by the United States edit nbsp Distinguished Flying Cross United States The United States passed special laws designed to help South Vietnamese who had experienced special hardship during the war to immigrate to the United States One provision of this law is that those South Vietnamese who spent a year or more in North Vietnamese re education camps were allowed to enter the United States by special provision However because of his amputated arms Major An was released from such a camp after only nine weeks and so did not qualify What he had done for his American comrades in arm was completely ignored and only after a staggering amount of paperwork and the special efforts of a U S Congressman did Major An receive permission to immigrate to the United States After a special law was enacted Major An was granted legal residency and citizenship on October 31 1996 1 However this special consideration did not apply to his daughter Nguyen Ngoc Kim Quy who takes care of him and additional efforts had to be made before she was able to come to the United States He now lives in San Jose 1 See also editNguyen Van Kiet Petty Officer Third Class in the Republic of Vietnam Navy recipient of the Navy Cross Tran Van Bay Army of the Republic of Vietnam Private First Class Tran was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism after he sacrificed his life to save a U S Marine on February 19 1967 2 References edit a b c 104TH CONGRESS Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Thomas loc gov Archived from the original on 2014 11 02 Retrieved 2012 02 23 Full Text Citations for Vietnam War Awards of the Navy Cross Archived from the original on September 21 2006 Retrieved January 9 2007 External links editSenate lets former South Vietnamese major who saved 4 Americans remain in U S Photo of Major Nguyen King helped Vietnamese rescuer remain in U S THE VIETNAM WAR VETERANS Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nguyễn Quy An amp oldid 1182502436, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
