Nguyen, Ba Van: - Author Ba Van Nguyen (Nguyễn Văn Ba), born on January 10, 1940, in Long An, Vietnam, was a courageous South Vietnamese Air Force pilot and a symbol of resilience. One of nine siblings, he trained in Vietnam and the U.S., rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and flying the formidable Chinook (CH-47) helicopter. On April 29, 1975, in an extraordinary act of love and bravery, he rescued his family during the fall of Saigon, ditching his Chinook into the ocean after delivering them safely to the USS Kirk-a story immortalized in the Oscar-nominated film Last Days in Vietnam. After escaping to the U.S., Nguyen rebuilt his life with his wife, Nho Tran Nguyen, working multiple jobs, pursuing education, and contributing to Boeing for 18 years before retiring in 2002. A passionate writer for Vietnamese newspapers, Nguyen's legacy endures through his family, who continue to honor the memory of a hero, loving father, and testament to the human spirit. Website: https: //nguyenvanba.com/