As the United States marked its 250th anniversary in 2026, the story of a Vietnamese refugee who rose to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force highlights the enduring impact of the nation’s founding principles. Born aboard a U.S. military vessel after his parents fled Vietnam in the aftermath of Saigon’s fall in 1975, Colonel Asan reflects on a journey shaped by hardship, resilience, and the pursuit of freedom.
In May 1975, shortly after North Vietnamese forces captured Saigon, Asan’s family joined thousands of others escaping the country. His father, a former South Vietnamese military officer who had worked alongside American forces, chose to leave rather than face imprisonment or persecution. With five young children aboard an overcrowded fishing boat, the family drifted for four days in the South China Sea with limited food and water before being rescued by a U.S. military ship. Shortly afterward, Asan was born and named after Camp Asan, the refugee processing center in Guam where his family’s path to the United States began.
Today, Colonel Asan serves as the director for cyberspace and technology at the Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command. His military career includes deployments to the Middle East, leadership roles at Patrick Space Force Base and MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, and domestic humanitarian responses to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Michael. His story exemplifies the opportunities made possible by the United States’ commitment to liberty and self-determination.
Reflecting on the nation’s 250 years, Colonel Asan emphasizes that America’s strength lies not in wealth, military power, or geography, but in the ideals that unite its people. He notes that the United States is unique among nations in being founded not on ethnicity or ancestry, but on principles of liberty, equality, and self-government. These principles have inspired generations spanning from the original colonists to immigrants and refugees seeking freedom, including his own family.
Arriving in the United States with limited resources but supported by communities, sponsors, and faith groups, Asan’s family found opportunity rather than guaranteed success. He stresses the distinction between opportunity and entitlement, underscoring that citizenship is both a privilege and a responsibility. His father, who lost his homeland but never his faith in freedom, taught that gratitude requires active participation and service.
Colonel Asan also highlights the diverse backgrounds of those serving in the U.S. military today. Despite differences in race, religion, political views, and personal histories, individuals are united by a shared commitment to a cause greater than themselves.
The Vietnamese refugee’s journey from the South China Sea to the leadership ranks of the U.S. Air Force reflects the broader American narrative: a nation continuously striving to live up to its founding ideals. As the United States celebrates its milestone anniversary, Asan’s story serves as a reminder of the power of opportunity and the ongoing responsibility to uphold the principles that have shaped the country for 250 years.