Hoang Nguyen 1943-2012

NGUYEN

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/24/2012 at 22:31:59

Sioux City Journal
May 09, 2012

SIOUX CITY -- Hoang Nguyen, 69, of Sioux City died Monday, May 7, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel. Cremation will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel.

Hoang was born on Jan. 18, 1943, in Hai Duong, Vietnam. He married Hoa Nguyen, who was coincidentally born on Jan. 18, 1949. Hoang was a Navy Seal for the South Vietnam government. He was captured, tortured and forced to undergo re-education camp for four years.

After its completion, he took his wife, Hoa, and daughter, Yen, on a dangerous escape from their homeland. Hoang took care of not only his family, but was also in charge of the small fishing boat that took his family and 46 other refugees on a treacherous journey out to sea looking for a new life. He navigated through the waters and successfully led all the refugees to a fresh start. In 1989, the Nguyen family arrived in the United States and eventually settled into their new home in Sioux City.

A hero, loving husband and father, Hoang leaves his wife, Hoa; his two daughters, Yen and Oanh; and two sons, Thanh and Hiep.