Trần Ngọc Huế Oral History

Tran Ngọc Huế is a Vietnamese military officer whose oral history has been preserved as part of an effort to document personal accounts of the Vietnam War. His testimony details his early military formation in the city of Huế—a place that profoundly shaped his identity—and traces his progression from a young cadet into a high-ranking officer. He describes his education at military schools modeled after French institutions and recounts how these formative years instilled in him a deep sense of duty, national pride, and the tactical acumen needed for combat. Throughout his account, Huế provides a vivid chronicle of his participation in several major military engagements, most notably during the Battle of Huế in the Tet Offensive. As the commander of the rapid-action Hát Báo Mobile Company, he explains how his unit was tasked with securing key positions, rescuing isolated personnel, and breaking enemy encirclements. His narrative includes detailed descriptions of relentless 24-hour battles, strategic maneuvers, and the heavy casualties suffered on both sides. In recognition of his leadership and valor, he was awarded the Silver Star Medal by the United States—a testament to the international dimension of the conflict. Despite these accolades, Huế’s recollections also reveal the personal costs of war, including severe wounds, the loss of comrades, and a long period of imprisonment lasting nearly 13 years. ----------- This interview is part of the Vietnamese in the Diaspora Digital Archive. http://vietdiasporastories.omeka.net Interviews were conducted by the Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation as part of the national 500 Oral Histories Project. The interviewee has granted The Vietnamese American Heritage Foundation copyright of the audio, video and photo materials and it is being made available for non-profit educational use. These interviews were conducted and filmed entirely by volunteers. http://www.vietnameseamerican.org/