Pre-1975

Tea pot Origin

Early 20th century

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.

Plaque Origin

February 12, 1971

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.

ARVN Chương-Mỹ Medal Origin

1971

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.

ARVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Medal Origin

February 1968

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.

ARVN Gold Medal Origin

1971

This official military decoration was awarded by President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu to Lieutenant Colonel Daniel F. Schungel, U.S. Army Special Forces, in recognition of his outstanding bravery and service during the Vietnam War.

"Ống nhổ bã trầu" (Betel Nut Spittoon) origin

Pre-1975

This betel nut container (cơi trầu cau), preserved as a family heirloom, was used in preparing and serving betel quid (betel leaf and areca nut). It was central to Vietnamese marriage traditions, where the groom’s family presented trầu cau to the bride’s family during proposals, and the act of chewing produced a red juice symbolic of love and union.

"Cơi đựng trầu cau" (Betel Nut Container) Origin

Pre-1975

This betel nut container (cơi trầu cau), a family heirloom from Diêu Đức Huỳnh’s family, was traditionally used in Vietnamese marriage ceremonies, where the groom’s family presented betel leaf and areca nut (trầu cau) to the bride’s family to the bride’s family as a symbol of respect and union.

"Cân đòn" (scale) origin

early–mid 20th century

A traditional bronze balance scale, commonly used by food vendors in Vietnam to weigh produce and other goods in village market. Represents early trade practices in rural and urban Vietnamese markets before modern weighing devices.

"Chiết Yêu" bowl gets transferred to the Bùi ancestral hall

Post–1954

After the communist government’s land reform, the family house was requisitioned. Surviving heirlooms, including tbe chiết yêu bowl, were relocated to the từ đường họ Bùi (Bùi family ancestral hall), which later became the shrine to Bùi Viện, the 19th-century reformer and diplomat.