Minh SEAL Team TWO Interpreter VIETNAM

From: John donovan
Subj: Obituary for Minh

Minh, the indomitable combat scout and interpreter who fought with great courage and was wounded several times with his SEAL comrades during the Vietnam war, died peacefully in MyTho on 23 December 2019. He was 80 years old.

Minh learned to speak English before joining the Vietnamese Navy to fight for his country. He operated in the Mekong Delta on the River Patrol Boats and then with the SEALs, taking part in hundreds of missions from 1966 to 1970. His courage, local knowledge and fluency in English saved many SEAL and Vietnamese lives, and he helped develop tactics that are still used by SEALs today.

When Minh's SEAL Teammates left Vietnam, they looked forward to seeing the tough, high-spirited fighter again on their next deployment. They never returned. North Vietnam took over the Republic of Vietnam in 1975, and his American friends could not know that after suffering 3 years in "re-education" camps, Minh was relegated to the bottom of Vietnamese society along with others who had helped the Americans. Having lost contact, the SEALs feared that he had been killed.

But Minh was improbably found alive in 2008, and the SEAL brotherhood rallied to raise money to lift him and his family up from poverty. Through the efforts and generosity of the SEALs, River Patrol sailors and many others, Minh and his family lived in peace and comfort from then on. The Navy SEAL Foundation put Minh's granddaughter through college.

In an unprecedented cooperative effort, the Navy SEAL Museum, the Navy SEAL Foundation, the UDT-SEAL Association, and the wonderful Vietnamese communities of Fort Pierce and Virginia Beach joined forces to bring Minh and his wife to the United States in 2013 to reunite him with his SEAL comrades from 45 years earlier. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam may have been treated Minh poorly but he was received like a rock star here…and he loved every minute.

An excellent short film, Minh: A Bond Unbroken, was made of his life in 2017.

The bonds forged in close combat are incredibly strong. In these times of fast-moving technology and expedient relationships, some things stand out for their permanent nature: loyalty, resilience, courage.

The unbroken bond between Minh and the SEALs who fought and bled with him brought out the very best in us. It survived a half century, spanned 10,000 miles, and was impervious to differences in language and culture.

The SEALs who patrolled the rivers and jungles of Vietnam with him 50 years ago in that far-away war will never forget Minh.

He was one of us; U.S. Navy SEALs

SEALs, All Generations, HELP Old Minh with $$ to survive in "Commie" Vietnam please contact "Doc" Riojas if you care to send a few bucks for Minh's monthly allowance check. You will receive a SEAL coin if donation is more than 25 bucks. Thank you very much

Anyone want one of these Doc Rio coins; Please Donate $20.00 to Minh's fund. Email me to get my snail mail address so that i can accept you check and mail you the coin.

Support of Minh

From: Bo Rodriguez Jan 30, 2019,
to: Karen, John, Rick, Doc Riojas

Mr. Pete
Thank you again for the reply. I will send a money order to your address ,and will send something every month. and i not looking for a tax deductible. Also i spoke with Mr. Donovan this morning,'' very nice gentleman man''.

I will also send some pictures of Myself and My Wife, and our 2 Dogs who are like my kids. ''We do not have any Children''. and pictures of my Home and Business. now that i have your address . I also have Mr. Minh home address i want to send him and his family gifts .

Mr Minh reminds me so much of my Grandfather he was from Spain and spoke broken English like Mr Minh. and they have that same big smile.

my Grandpa pass away in 1987 .'' I still think of him everyday''

Bo Rodriguez Cell # 504-201-5939 Home Bo's Power Generator & Equipment LLC Terrytown, LA (504) 603-2235

Bởi Mike Hixenbaugh The Virginian-Pilot © Tháng Mười 23, 2015 VIRGINIA BEACH

Mười ngàn đô la.

Trải qua bốn năm.

Nó không có vẻ như nhiều, đặc biệt là theo tiêu chuẩn Mỹ.

Nhưng trong một ngôi làng nhỏ ở nông thôn Việt Nam, đóng góp này có thể thay đổi tương lai của cả gia đình - và có thể giúp trả một món nợ 50-năm-tuổi.

Nhu Nguyen đã không yêu cầu tiền.

Ông nội của cô, Nguyễn Hoàng Minh, chảy máu cho nó.

Các thông dịch viên tình nguyện chiến đấu cũ để chiến đấu bên cạnh một số các SEAL của Hải quân đầu tiên tại Việt Nam, hướng dẫn họ trên hàng trăm nhiệm vụ ban đêm bí mật sâu trong lãnh thổ đối phương - làm việc bây giờ được ghi nhận trong truyền thuyết SEAL sớm.

Nhưng khi chiến tranh kết thúc, Minh đã không nhận được để lại với các biệt kích. Hiệp hội của ông với "The Men Với Faces Green," như Việt Cộng đã biết đến họ, sẽ khiến ông mất.

Hai năm trong một trại tù cộng sản. Nhiều thập kỷ làm việc trong các lĩnh vực và làm những công việc lặt vặt cho lương ít ỏi. Không có cách nào để có được trước.

Khi đồng đội SEAL cũ của ông cuối cùng đã tìm thấy anh ta một vài năm trước đây, Minh đã sống trong một túp lều tranh nhỏ với một mái bị dột và một nền đất, nơi ông và vợ của ông đã nuôi cháu.

Các huynh đệ SEAL sứt mẻ để nâng cấp nhà Minh. Sau đó, họ đã gửi cho anh tiền để trang trải chi phí y tế. Nuôi sống gia đình. Điền vào các thùng xăng của xe máy của mình. Họ trả tiền để đưa ông ta tới Bãi biển Virginia hai năm trước, hoàn thành giấc mơ của mình để xem Mỹ trước khi ông chết.

Và bây giờ, trong tuần này, có lẽ là đóng góp quan trọng nhất của tất cả: Hải quân SEAL Foundation đã đồng ý trả tiền để gửi Nhu, cháu gái lớn của ông, Đại học Quốc gia tại Việt Nam.

"Đó là một chút bên ngoài của những gì chúng ta thường làm," Robin King, SEAL Foundation Giám đốc điều hành cho biết. "Nhưng khi một người nào đó quan trọng như Minh cần hỗ trợ, chúng tôi sẵn sàng để flex sứ mệnh của chúng tôi và làm những gì chúng tôi có thể."

The $ 2,500 một năm cho học phí và lệ phí không phải là nhiều để làm từ thiện SEAL lớn nhất của quốc gia, lãnh đạo cơ sở thừa nhận.

Nhưng ở Việt Nam, số tiền có thể nâng một gia đình thoát khỏi đói nghèo - đảm bảo con cháu Minh sẽ không phải chiến đấu như anh đã làm, ông Rick Woolard, đội trưởng SEAL về hưu, người đã dẫn đầu những nỗ lực để giúp thông dịch viên cũ của mình.

Woolard và hai cựu chiến binh khác trở về Việt Nam vào đầu năm nay đến thăm Minh và gia đình ông. Ở đó, họ nở ý tưởng gửi đứa cháu gái học đại học.

"Minh hiện đang ở độ tuổi giữa 70 và trong không sức khỏe," Woolard đã viết trong một email để SEAL lãnh đạo Quỹ đầu tháng này. "Sau khi ông qua đời, triển vọng của gia đình để thoát nghèo là ảm đạm. Hy vọng duy nhất trên đường chân trời là cháu gái của Minh."

Như đã là một học sinh sao chỉ để được chấp nhận vào các trường đại học, Woolard nói. Nhưng nếu không có sự giúp đỡ tài chính, cô ấy sẽ không thể đi.

Cháu gái của Minh muốn trở thành một dược sĩ.

Lớp học bắt đầu vào mùa xuân tới tại thành phố Hồ Chí Minh.

Minh and "Eagle" Gallagher
Navy SEALs announce reunion 45 years in the making
ideagardendonna#391803 Posted June 26, 2013 at 1:52 p.m., updated June 26, 2013 Navy SEALs announce reunion 45 years in the making Posted June 26, 2013 at 1:52 p.m., updated June 26, 2013 at 1:55 p.m.

VERO BEACH — The weekend of July 20 the Navy SEALs will take part in a reunion 45 years in the making.

The National Navy SEAL Museum in conjunction with the Navy SEAL Foundation and UDT-SEAL Association is pleased to announce that Nguyen Hoang Minh, and his wife, Hyunh Thi Nhi, will make their first visit to the U.S. to be reunited with members of SEAL Team Two whom they assisted during the Vietnam War.

A Vietnamese interpreter and operator, Minh worked hand-in-hand with numerous SEAL Team Two platoons. After having lost contact for more than 40 years, retired Brown Water Navy Officer John Donovan eventually located Minh. Minh and his wife will be the honored guests of over 5,000 former and active duty SEALs and their families at the Navy SEAL annual reunion at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, VA over the July 20th weekend.

In the Mekong Delta in the late 1960’s Minh and his wife risked everything to assist the Navy SEALs in numerous dangerous operations. Minh was wounded several times in his work as undercover intelligence source, point man, gunman and translator. And he’s one of a kind. He’s the only Vietnamese civilian to have acted in this capacity with SEAL platoons during the war, and has become a somewhat mythical figure in Vietnam-era SEAL lore.

His wife’s role was also significant, as she became the primary contact for “intel” on the Viet Cong. Together their contributions marked a turning point in SEAL mission success. Over the last few years it has taken fundraising, government cooperation, and SEAL perseverance to make this historic trip a reality.

Before traveling to Virginia, the couple will spend time at the Navy SEAL Museum while staying at the Trident House located in Sebastian, a private home donated to the Navy SEAL Museum and located nearby. The house is used as an “R&R” accommodation for SEALs and their families. Several of the couple’s old friends from SEAL platoons will visit and even stay with them at Trident House.

For more information, contact: UDT-SEAL Museum Executive Director Rick Kaiser, 772-595-5845 x205, rick@navysealmuseum.com or Mary Ann Koenig, 917-656-2800, mak@r-dog.biz

This story is contributed by a member of the Treasure Coast community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.com

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/jun/26/navy-seals-announce-reunion-45-years-in-the-making/

NGUYEN-HOANG-MINH
U.S.Navy SEAL Interpreter

---- Original Message -----
From: John Donovan
To: mcdavitt_fred;; doc riojas
Cc: peter.huchthausen ; taz_diemtrang
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008
Subject: Nguyen Hoang Minh

Gentlemen,

As you know, I have been working to track down Minh recently. I think I have found him living outside of My Tho. (see below email from Lung's daughter Trang who lives in the Dallas area). Lung is the co-author of "Echo's of the Mekong" with Peter Huchthausen and knows Minh and has kept in touch over the years. He was a great help to all of us who worked with him--both on the river as an interpreter and late with Seal Team 2.

The purpose of the is email is to see if we can help Minh and his family emigrate to the US--He has been unable to do so because he lacks documentation that he served with the US Forces. I believe we can help by writing letters confirming his service with both the River Sections (531, etc. and Seal Team Two from 1967 to 1971. I intend to contact Minh directly to get more info. as to how we can help. As you may know, this is a common issue for many So. Vietnamese Vets who served with us without any remaining records of their service

In the mean time if you can help find any other Seal Team officers that might be able to write a letter for Minh--He mentions some names Boink (would this be Moose Boitnott??) Murphy, Quiet, Shutman, Bishop, Woolard .

--Doc, If you have any contact that worked with Minh in Seal Team 2-- and could verify his service that would be great.

--Fred, I know you told me a story about how you "hired" Minh to work for the PBR's--and if you could write a letter confirming this that would be helpful. I will do the same for the time after you left in March 1967..

I have been wondering about Minh for the last 40 years..He was a close friend and a tremendous asset on the boats.

Best regards, John J. Donovan

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

-----Original Message-----
From: Pete Peterson
To: Doc Riojas docrio45 [at] gmail DOT com
Cc: John Donovan
Sent: Tue, 6 May 2008
Subject: Re: Nguyen Hoang Minh

Letter certifying the employment of Mr. Nguyen Hoang Minh as an operational interpreter.

During the time period October 1967 through March 1968 I was the platoon officer for the Seventh Platoon of SEAL Team Two. The Platoon was assigned to the US Navy River Patrol Force in My Tho, RVN. Mr. Nguyen Hoang Minh worked for the platoon as an operational interpreter.

In this capacity he accompanied the platoon on operational missions and provided on scene combat interpreter services. Mr. Minh was a key member of the platoon and made very important contributions to the units operational success. Mr. Minh was instrumental in assisting the platoon to question the local inhabitants in the area of operations to identify the enemy combatants in the area and to ensure that the innocent locals were not mistaken for combatants.

Mr. Minh was a totally reliable, honest and trustworthy individual. He was also very courageous and accompanied the SEALs into very dangerous enemy held areas, always wanting to make any contribution he could to the units success and safety

I accompanied Mr. Minh to the MACV headquarters in Saigon and assisted with his application to be hired as an official interpreter for the US Military. I can certify that he was officially hired by MACV.

I strongly recommend that Mr. Minh receive every consideration in his application to immigrate to the United States. He served the US Military honorably, with courage and dedication. I am fully confident that he will continue to show his love of the USA here in America.

Robert W. Peterson Captain US Navy, retired

Standing: Lt. to Rt: Minh, Hook Tuure, Jack Rowell, Bob "Eagle" Gallagher, Roy Dean Matthews. Sitting: Erasmo "Doc" Riojas SEAL Team TWO, 7th Platoon 1967-'68 MyTho, Vietnam. Other members not in picture: Lt. Peterson, CWO Charlie Watson, Gene Fraley, Curtis Ashton, Mike Boynton, Chuck Jesse. Billy Burbank was sent to work with the P.R.U.s

Sunday 7 July 2013 13:00 -- Visit with Lilly Nguyen (local Vietnamese business owner) and family at Trident House, Sebastian

Monday 8 July 2013 15:00 -- Minh and Nhi arrive UDT-SEAL Museum 15:30 -- 16:00 Minh’s SEAL Team members and friends arrive at UDT-SEAL Museum A camera crew will be at the museum to document the reunions

Tuesday 9 July 2013 Minh and Nhi at Trident house, visitors welcome 8:00 -- Cocktail Party at Mary Ann Koenig’s home 965 Reef Lane Vero Beach, Fl 32963

Wednesday 10 July 2013 9:00 -- film crew arrives at Trident House to begin set up and record interviews with Minh, Nhi and SEAL Team Members and friends. Interpreter/translator will be on site.

The Trident House which was donated to the UDT SEAL Museum. Thisis where Minh stayed during his visit to Fort Pierce FL. Doc Rio spent one night there visiting Minh and John Donnovan.

From: BOBURWELL [at] aol DOT com

Bringing Minh to the Museum and to Little Creek. Thank you guys for making this happen.

I have spent so much time wondering what happened to this one or that. Same as our reunions, we want to know how each other are and we should also want to know how those guys are. One of the LDNN officers that we trained in Rosey Rds was in a refugee camp and had written a letter, much like Minh wrote, asking if anyone could confirm that he was trained by us. I was the only one in ST2 that had knowledge of them coming here and was able to help the guy get out of a tent city that he had lived in for years..

Those of you who were involved in bringing him here are to be highly commended for being true to what we as human beings should be -- our fellow man.
Thank you Teammate for your efforts,
Bo

Minh departed Ft. Pierce to Little Creek VA and from there the SEALs took him to Washington D.C. to the Vietnam Wall.

Minh hosted by Navy SEALs at Little Creek Va. Lt. to Rt: John Tran, Norm Olson, Rick Woolard, Rudy Boesch, Minh, Tinh, John Donnovan, Jim Madison, Chuck Williams, Tuan Nguyen

The LINK on sealtwo.org STORY about MINH

From: Dennis Keeffe

Hi Doc Thank you for the link to sealtwo.org the story Minh was great I often Think of him and wandered what ever happened to him when we all left. I figured he was Wasted by the Vietcong I believed he had a Bounty levied on him. Thank God he maid it I imagine they maid life hell for him sense he worked for us. I don't know if you remember me or not But I remember you and a great number of team 2 I was privliged enough to be allowed to go out on that Mike battle wagon you guys had I think your Gunners mate on the Mike, the first time, was a GM called Rosey.

I was a GM From NAS My Tho I went Through the TET Offensive In 68 and was one of the 4 that went to bring the Philippine Nurses Out of harms way. You did some thing for me that I never got to thank you for. You brought back a 9mm Pistol to the states for me, and then sending it to my Family in a box that said it was books .

Well it got home OK and I kept it for a long time. I ended up staying in country for three more tours. You didn't come back to My Tho when the teem rotated back The Doc that came back was called Pee Wee and the gunner's Mate for the Mike boat was a guy named Kelly.

Like I said I never got to Say Thank you for doing what you did for me It has been a great reminder to me to DO what you say you will do. And that has stuck with me all thees years. I am a stickler to that and always try to do what I say I will do. So once again

Thank you

Dennis Keeffe

Standing: Lt-Rt: "Hook" Tuure, Jack Rowell, Curtis Ashton, Mike Boynton, Fred Keener, Roy Dean Matthews. Sitting: Lt-Rt: Robert "Eagle" Gallagher, Erasmo "Doc" Riojas, K9 Rinney, Harry Constance, Lt. Robert "Pete" Peterson, Chuck Jesse

Minh asked Bacsi Riojas for a made in USA zippo lighter with the SEAL emblem on it. He got it !

The house built by donations from Navy SEALs that worked with Minh in Vietnam war and many other benevolent friends, even civilians helped with $$.

I telephone Minh today. His English is very much improved with all the practice here in USA with us. No kidding! He said he was in Saigon at his workplace. He said he enjoys working.

He also told me that his entire trip went well and that the "commies" did not bother him at all.

He was very grateful to the UDT SEAL Museum and the UDT SEAL Assn and all the folks that make his trip possible and most enjoyable.

Minh always asks about Gallagher. I keep telling him that I am lucky that he answers his phone when i call him once in a blue moon. No problema. Eagle has always been that way and I am used to it. I lived in the same hotel room with him for six months, I know him pretty well.

We did not talk about money. That is unusual because before he came to USA he always asked for some help with his finances. I am of the opinion that he was among friends that assured him that we would sending him an allotment check every month. I promise you he will get it !

MinhAND 10thPlt SEAL Team TWO, 'nam: Standing Top Row: Bob Nidrauer, Big Al Ashton, Terry Sullivan, Jerry Hammerle, Mike Bailey (Dog Handler) with camera (I think), MINH in front of him, LDNN Be, Al Quist, Harry Constance, ??, CWO Dale McCloskey (Sp), LDNN?? kneeling: Doc Patchurich? , LDNN, ??? Fellows?

Mr. Pete took Minh this Zippo. this is the fourth Zippo we have sent Minh. He should quit smoking Tobacco !

Erasmo "Doc" Riojas Challenge Coin: star on the "C.A.R." which
stands for 1st war Korea, the 2nd is the Vietnam War is the ribbon itself.

Email me to get my snail mail address so that i can accept you $$$ and mail you the coin. Email: docrio45 [at] gmail DOT com Thank you very much.