About the Author Michael Do

NTUGraduateBorn in 1946 in Quang Tri Province (Central Vietnam).  Graduated from Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Polwar College (1st Class, 1966-1969); Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (Valedictorian) from Van Hanh University, Saigon; Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, Master of Science in Engineering Management from National Technological University at Fort Collins, Colorado.

Admitted to the US as Political Refugee in May 1990. Worked for Lockheed Martin, Advanced Micro Devices, National Instruments, Motorola;  Math Teacher at Pflugerville Independent School District. Retired in 2014.

*** Political Activities:

  • Editor in Chief, GIO CAT monthly Newsletter, 20th Air Tactical Base, 2nd Air Division, Phan Rang (1972 – 1974). Editor in Chief, LUA VIET magazine, TRACH NHIEM magazine (Austin) (1992 – 2000). Editorial Manager, THACH HAN magazine (1998 – 1999).
  • Permanent writer and commentator for scores of Newspapers, Magazines, and Radio Stations nationwide.
  • Spoke to Vietnamese American Youth and Students on Austin Community TV Channel 10, April 30, 1992.
  • Was keynote speaker at Central Texas Police Gang Units Conference, July 29, 1994.
  • Was twice introduced on 1st page, section B of Austin American Statesman thanks for his community activities (1993-1999).
  • Was interviewed and introduced by “The Voice of Vietnam Overseas” in 1966.
  • Took part in the 30-minute Discussion Panel on PBS/KLRU to protest the movie “Regret to Inform” produced by Mrs. Barbara Sonneborn, in June 2002.
  • Was interviewed by Fox-7 News on April 30, 2002.
  • Led a successful campaign to obtain the official recognition of the RVN flag from the State of Texas, Travis County, and the City of Austin (November 11, 2004).
  • Was a member of the Design Committee in the Texas Capitol Vietnam War Monument project (2006).
  • Was interviewed and featured in the special session “Vietnamese War Veteran Recounts Horrors of Prison” by News-8-Austin on April 30, 2005.
  • Spoke at the Human Right Torch Lightning Ceremony at Texas Capitol to boycott 2008 Olympics in Peking, China.
  • Was interviewed and featured in the special session “Vietnam Monument Controversy” by Texas Newswatch TV (2015)
  • Was interviewed and featured in the special session “Vietnam War Summit 2016” by VOA (2016)
  • Was introduced as “Typical Former Political Prisoner” on NGUOI VIET newspaper/online on February 14, 2005. Later, this article was published in the book “Chân Dung H.O.” (Portrait of Former Political Prisoners) by Huy Phuong, Nam Viet Publisher, CA, 2015 (pages 311-317)
  • Was Saturday Lunch Speaker at International Conference on Vietnam at Texas Tech University in April, 2001.
  • Presented papers at the Third International Symposium on Vietnam at Texas Tech University in May, 2002.
  • Presented papers at the Sixth International Symposium on Vietnam (Tet Mauthan Event) at Texas Tech University in March, 2008.
  • Presented papers at the International Conference on Vietnam Peace Movements at Texas Tech University in April 2017.
  • Presented papers at the International Conference on Vietnam on “Vietnamization” at Texas Tech University in April 2019
  • Took part in the 30-minute Discussion Panel “Vietnam: Virginia Remembers” on PBS/WCVE to protest the movie “The Vietnam War” produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, August 2017.
  • Has been serving the Vietnamese American Community since 1992, beginning as President of the Vietnamese American Veterans Association of Austin, Texas.
  • President of the Vietnamese American Community of the USA (Term of 2014 – 2017), Chairman of the Board of Directors (2017-2020).
  • Was awarded the “Hero of Vietnam War” coin by Counterparts (An association of Veterans of the 2nd Indochina War and their foreign counterparts), 1995.
  • Was honored and awarded the Resolution of Recognition by the State of Texas for his outstanding leadership and contributions to community services, in 2022.

*** Writings and Publishing:

  • Vuon Dia Dang (The Garden of Paradise) consisting of short stories translated from Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales.
  • Que Huong va Hoai Vong (Homeland and Reminiscence). Volumes 1 and 2.
  • Cuoi Tang Dia Nguc, English version: The Depths of Hell. Memoirs of a Political Prisoner in Communist Concentration camps (published in both Vietnamese and English)
  • Nanh Hum Noc Ran (The Horrors and Venom of Communism): Critics on Communism and Vietnamese Communists.
  • Mot Thoi Ao Tran, English version: A  Day in the Iron Triangle Secret Zone. Memoirs of an infantryman.
  • Que Me Mua Xuan Chua Ve (Spring Hasn’t Come to My Motherland): Dedicated to my homeland.
  • Chuyen Minh Chuyen Nguoi (Issues of our Time). Volumes 1, 2 and 3.
  • 52 weeks Around the Wolrd (Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Selected important news and commentaries. Broadcast every Saturday from 8 to 9 p.m. (CT) on the Vietnamese Public Radio.
  • Remembering the ARVN (2020) Collection of Patches, Badges, Insignia, Medals, and Photos of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

These books are available on www.amazon.com

*** Military Career:

Interpreter, US Counter Terrorism Program (1965-1966)
Cadet, Polwar College (1966-1969)
Company Commander, 5th Infantry Division (1969-1971)
Chief Political Education, 2nd Air Division (1971-1974)

*** Detained in Communist Concentration Camps

10 years from 1975-1985

*** Decorations:

  • 1 Gallantry Cross with Palm (1971)
  • 1 Gallantry Cross with Gold Star (1971)
  • 1 Gallantry Cross with Silver Star  (1970)
  • 3 Gallantry Crosses with Bronze Star (1969-1971)
  • Wounded Medal (1969)
  • Staff Medal 1st class (1972)
  • Medal for Campaigns Outside the Frontier. (1971)
  • Good Conduct Medal 5th Class (1972)
  • Civic Action Medal 1st Class (1973)
  • Service Medal 5th Class (1972)
  • Campaign Medal with 60- Device (1971)
  • 2 Certificates of Commendation (1968, 1973)