Vietnam

The teapot was purchased by Tony Lam's daughter, an avid antique collector, during a return trip to Vietnam. She gifted it to her father upon her return to California.

An antique ceramic teapot of unknown maker and provenance, acquired in Vietnam. Though its exact production period and regional style remain unidentified, the teapot bears characteristics consistent with domestic Vietnamese tea wares from the mid-20th century.

Upon his release, Diệp’s father carefully preserved the mango seed cup as a personal relic from his years of imprisonment.

This mango-shaped cup was carved by Nguyễn Ngọc Diệp’s father during his imprisonment at Trại K3 (K3 Camp) in Vĩnh Phú Province, one of the northern “reeducation” camps where thousands of former South Vietnamese military officers were detained after 1975. Using only primitive tools and discarded materials, he engraved a phoenix on the cup’s surface. At the time of his imprisonment, Diệp’s mother was one month pregnant.

Issued in 1993 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok as part of the Humanitarian Operation (HO) Program. The H22 code identifies his case as part of the 22nd phase of refugee departures, reserved for former officers, political prisoners, and public figures detained after the war.

Issued in 1990 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in coordination with U.S. immigration authorities. The “H05” designation identifies the fifth wave of the HO Program, which admitted former political prisoners and reeducation camp survivors of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Nguyễn Đức Trạch, born in 1942, had been imprisoned after 1975 for his role in the Republic of Vietnam. He was released from detention in 1985.

Issued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the HO Program in coordination with the U.S. and Vietnamese governments. Stamped dates (16 May, 11 July, and 21 September 1991) record stages of medical screening and departure processing for emigration.

This plaque was commissioned and presented by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Văn Minh, Commander of the Sở Liên Lạc (Liaison Office) under MACV-SOG (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group). It was gifted to Colonel Daniel F. Schungel, U.S. Army Special Force upon the conclusion of his command assignment in Operation 35.

The Chương-Mỹ Bội Tinh (Decoration of Merit) was often awarded concurrently or sequentially with the Armed Forces Honor Medal to allied officers for meritorious service. This medal was originally presented to Lt. Col. Daniel F. Schungel in 1971 for meritorious service during the Vietnam War.

Recognized Schungel’s exceptional bravery during the Battle of Hậu Đức (Quảng Ngãi Province, Feb. 6–7, 1968), when he commanded Special Forces C Company, 5th SFG (Airborne). This battle also earned him the U.S. Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star.