“No event in AMERICAN HISTORY is more MISUNDERSTOOD than the VIETNAM WAR. It was MISREPORTED then, and it is MISREMEMBERED now.”

— Richard NIXON

Our Mission:

Our mission is to honor Vietnam combat veterans by providing fully funded return journeys to Vietnam that foster remembrance, healing, and reconciliation, while also supporting veterans, their families, and affected communities in addressing the enduring consequences of war.

Group of fifteen men posing in front of a rock formation with a sign that reads "Camp Peale" and a large star. The men are outdoors on a hill, some wearing hats and sunglasses, with a scenic view of a city and hills in the background.
A group of ten men walking on a beach with mountains in the background.
Group of men standing and sitting among roots and trees in a forest, black and white photo.
Group of men in hats and casual attire standing in a forest setting
Group of older men outdoors surrounded by trees, wearing casual clothing and hats.
A group of eleven men posing outdoors in a garden or park, some standing and some kneeling, surrounded by trees and plants.
A group of twelve men standing outdoors in front of a damaged bridge with metal trusses, surrounded by trees and overgrown grass.
A group of people standing in front of the Mao Is possible in Hanoi, Vietnam. The building has a large sign reading 'Mao Is possible'. The group is posed for a photo, some wearing hats and casual clothing, with a few holding bags or sunglasses.
Black and white photo of eight men outdoors on a hillside with mountains in the background. They are dressed in casual outdoor clothing, some wearing hats and sunglasses, and are positioned among plants and soil.
Group of people walking on a trail through a lush tropical landscape with tall plants and trees in the background.
Group of men standing outdoors in a line, with mountains in the background.
A group of people holding an American flag standing under a sign in Vietnamese script, with trees and utility poles in the background.

Our Vision:

Our vision is a world in which all Vietnam veterans have access to meaningful opportunities for healing and understanding, fostering reconciliation and enduring connections between individuals and communities affected by the Vietnam War.

A portrait of an elderly Asian man wearing a wide-brimmed hat, holding a long bamboo stick on his shoulder, outdoors.
Black and white photo of an older man with a mustache and beard, wearing a baseball cap with military patches, looking surprised or contemplative.
A black and white photo of an elderly man wearing a baseball cap and a button-up shirt, standing outdoors with trees and a pavilion in the background. He is holding a gardening tool.
TGGF-Tet-50th-Marines_0926.jpg
An elderly man with missing teeth, a long beard, and a surprised or expressive facial expression. He is wearing a suit jacket and shirt, with a blurred background.
A man with a serious expression wearing a cap that says 'Airborne' and 'Tiger Bravo', standing outdoors near a bridge.
Black and white photo of an elderly man with gray hair and facial hair, wearing a white collared shirt and a black scarf, looking thoughtfully to the side.
A black-and-white photo of an older man with a beard, wearing a baseball cap and a plaid shirt, standing outdoors with a field of plants and bushes behind him, under a partly cloudy sky.
Close-up black and white portrait of an elderly Asian woman wearing a beanie and a scarf, with a calm expression.
A black and white portrait of an elderly woman wearing a striped sleeveless shirt and a wide-brimmed hat, standing outdoors with trees in the background.
A black and white photo of an elderly man with a long white beard and hair, wearing a striped shirt, outdoors with trees and wooden structures in the background.
A black and white photo of an elderly man wearing a cap that reads 'VTOIST AIRBORNE VIETNAM VETERAN' and a striped polo shirt, with a mountainous landscape in the background.
Close-up black and white portrait of an elderly woman with long, wispy white hair and deeply wrinkled skin, wearing a patterned fleece jacket.
A man in a black polo shirt with folded arms is standing outdoors in front of a thatched-roof structure and a wooden vehicle, wearing a military-style cap that says 'Combat Medic.'
Black and white photo of an older woman wearing a warm hat and jacket, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
An elderly man wearing glasses, a cap with a patch, a checkered shirt, and a bandana around his neck, standing outdoors with palm trees in the background.
Black and white photo of an elderly man smiling and looking joyful, wearing a jacket, outdoors with market stalls in the background.
TGGF-9thID2023_307.jpg
TGGF-9thID2023_576.jpg
Black and white photo of an elderly Asian woman wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a knitted sweater, sitting outdoors.

“My war in Vietnam did not end on the battlefield; it lives on in my memories, in what I lost, and in the lives still touched by its wounds. I have come to believe that true honor is found not only in remembering, but in finding the strength to heal.””

— Capt. Rick ST-JOHN, 506/101st Airborne

TGGF-Vietnam-9thID_0731.jpg

“No veteran walks alone. Guided by those who have served and supported by a caring community, this mission helps carry the weight of the past with dignity, compassion, and a path toward healing.”

— Col. Orson G. SWINDLE III, USMC // POW

Meet the Driving Force

  • An elderly man with white hair, wearing a black jacket over a red shirt, sitting in a room with bookshelves in the background, holding a framed black-and-white photo of three men in uniform.

    Orson Swindle III

    Board member

    Colonel (Retired) Orson G. Swindle, United States Marine Corps, served with distinction as a Marine officer, combat aviator, former prisoner of war, and dedicated public servant. Shot down over North Vietnam in 1966, he endured more than seven years of captivity with exceptional courage and resilience. Following his military service, he achieved notable success in business, government, and veterans’ advocacy, consistently bringing lasting honor and credit to his nation and Marine Corps throughout his and exemplary lifetime of dedicated service.

  • An elderly man wearing glasses in a tuxedo with a bow tie and military ribbons, smiling.

    Barry Beck

    Board member

    Barry Beck is a Marine veteran, attorney, and public servant whose career reflects a distinguished record of leadership, honor, and service. A 1964 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he served with distinction in the Marine Corps from 1964 to 1968, including early combat operations in Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. He also served as Commander of the Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. He subsequently established a highly respected legal career in Texas, earning recognition for his professionalism, integrity, and enduring commitment to public and community service.

  • An elderly woman smiling, wearing a light-colored dress with sparkles, pearl earrings, a pearl necklace, and medals pinned to her chest.

    Elaine Niggemann

    Board member

    Captain (Retired) Elaine H. Niggemann, MD, FACC, is a Vietnam veteran, physician, and educator whose career exemplifies dedication to service and excellence in medicine. Commissioned in the United States Army Nurse Corps, she served in Vietnam in 1971, providing critical care to wounded service members. She later earned her medical degree, specialized in cardiology, and practiced in Arizona. Dr. Niggemann also served as a distinguished professor and mentor at the University of Arizona, shaping future generations of medical professionals.

  • An elderly man with glasses, gray hair, and a mustache wearing a tuxedo with a green bow tie, and several military medals on his chest.

    Grady Birdsong

    Board member

    Sergeant (Retired) Grady Birdsong is a Marine veteran, author, and advocate for veterans whose career reflects sustained leadership and service. Following two combat tours in Vietnam, he established an international business career encompassing engineering, marketing, and technology. In retirement, he has remained actively engaged in veterans’ leadership initiatives, community outreach, and writing, preserving the experiences of those who served. His continued commitment to public service and civic engagement underscores a lifelong dedication to honoring fellow veterans and contributing to the broader community.

  • An elderly man in a suit with medals and ribbons on his chest, wearing a black cap with military insignia, standing outdoors near water.

    Robert Good

    Board member

    Sergeant (Retired) Robert L. Good is a Vietnam veteran and retired law enforcement officer whose career exemplifies distinguished service and professional excellence. Drafted into the United States Army in 1966, he served with the 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and the Army Commendation Medal for valor. He subsequently completed a 32-year career with the Los Angeles Police Department, serving in SWAT, academy instruction, and air support, reflecting sustained dedication to public safety and duty.

  • An elderly man dressed in a tuxedo with a bow tie featuring the American flag, wearing a military cap with Vietnam War medals, standing outdoors near a ship's railing.

    Max Morgan

    Board member

    Captain (Retired) Max P. Morgan is a Vietnam veteran whose distinguished service reflects exceptional courage and devotion to duty. He served as a Navy corpsman with SEAL Team One, completing more than 50 missions in the Mekong Delta. Wounded in action, he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for valor. He later served as a Marine Corps infantry officer, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism, further exemplifying his sustained commitment to service.

  • An elderly man dressed in formal black tuxedo with a bow tie, wearing military medals on his chest, sitting indoors against a dark background.

    James Lawrence

    Board member

    Lieutenant (Retired) James T. Lawrence is a highly distinguished Vietnam veteran whose service reflects exemplary leadership and devotion to duty. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. During the 1965 Ia Drang campaign, he was Executive Officer of Delta Company, where he was wounded in action and awarded the Bronze Star. In later years, he has preserved and conveyed this history through public presentations, thoughtful reflection, and memoir, contributing meaningfully to the historical record.

  • A smiling elderly woman with short gray hair, wearing glasses, a black dress with floral patterns, and celebration medals on her chest, standing outdoors during sunset.

    Gracie Moore

    Board member

    Lieutenant (Retired) Grace Margaret Lilleg-Moore is a Vietnam veteran whose distinguished service reflects exceptional dedication to military medicine and compassionate care. Serving in the United States Army Nurse Corps with the 44th Medical Brigade, she was deployed to Vietnam in 1968, where she provided and supervised critical care for wounded service members at the 12th Evacuation Hospital in Cu Chi. She subsequently continued her nursing career and became a committed advocate for honoring the contributions of Vietnam-era medical personnel.

  • An elderly man with gray hair and a serious expression, wearing a black Carhartt jacket and a black military-style cap with military patches and an eagle emblem, standing outdoors near a stone building.

    Rick St-John

    Board member

    Colonel (Retired) Rick St. John is a Vietnam veteran, author, and military historian whose career reflects distinguished leadership and steadfast devotion to the values of the United States Army. A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, he served with distinction as an Army officer. In later years, he has preserved the history of airborne soldiers in Vietnam through respected scholarship, public speaking, and dedicated advocacy, ensuring that the stories, sacrifices, and service of veterans are faithfully recorded and honored.

  • An elderly man with blonde hair wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie and a white shirt, showing a civilian medal ribbon bar. The background is wooden paneling.

    James Hackett

    Board member

    Sergeant (Retired) James P. Hackett Jr. is a Vietnam veteran whose career reflects distinguished service, resilience, and sustained commitment to public duty. He served two combat tours in the United States Marine Corps and was twice awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. Following his military service and subsequent work in the performing arts, he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he served with distinction for decades, ultimately retiring as a reserve captain while continuing dedicated service to the veterans’ community.

  • A man with gray hair and a beard wearing a black tuxedo with a bow tie, standing outdoors during sunset with a background showing a dark sky and a red barn.

    Timothy Davis

    Board member

    Timothy Davis is an Australian-born nonprofit executive and veterans’ advocate whose career reflects more than twenty-five years of distinguished leadership in mission-driven organizations of international scope and consequence. As the lead creator of Vietnam Inc., he advances initiatives dedicated to peace, reconciliation, and healing for veterans, their families, and war-affected communities. He brings to his work strategic insight, a global perspective, disciplined governance, and a steadfast commitment to transparency, accountability, and the achievement of measurable, enduring impact across diverse operational contexts.

  • An older man with gray hair in a black t-shirt and beige cap standing outdoors against a backdrop of green trees and a partly cloudy blue sky.

    William Albracht

    Board member

    Captain (Retired) William Albracht is a highly decorated Vietnam veteran, Special Forces officer, author, and speaker whose career reflects exceptional valor and sustained public service. As a Green Beret captain with the 5th Special Forces Group, he demonstrated extraordinary courage and leadership at Fire Support Base Kate, earning multiple Silver Stars for gallantry in action. He subsequently served twenty-six years with the United States Secret Service, including assignments under four Presidents, exemplifying continued dedication to national security and duty.

  • For many veterans, the War in Vietnam remains a deeply personal chapter of their lives. Returning is not about travel but a pilgrimage of healing and remembrance—a chance to confront the past, honor fallen comrades, and find peace. In these moments of reflection and brotherhood, time becomes a bridge from pain to healing and reconciliation.

  • This program is exclusively for combat veterans of the War in Vietnam. It is dedicated to organizing meaningful reunions that honor those who served in combat and meet the specified eligibility criteria. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to preserving the integrity of this veteran-centered initiative.

  • To ensure the success of this important mission, the organization operates under a structured framework emphasizing coordination, readiness, and accountability. Each participating unit must designate a primary liaison to oversee communication and logistics, and assemble a roster of 20 highly qualified combat veterans who demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, hold valid passports, and show unwavering dedication to the mission’s objectives. 

  • Each deployment is thoughtfully planned to span twelve days, offering participants the time and space needed for meaningful reflection and connection. This carefully structured schedule balances visits to significant locations with opportunities for quiet introspection, allowing veterans to revisit the places that shaped their service and their lives. The experience is designed to foster healing, encourage camaraderie, and support personal resolution. By creating a respectful and supportive environment, we aim to help each veteran process the past, reconnect with fellow participants, and find renewed peace along the journey.

  • Each itinerary is carefully designed to provide a deeply immersive experience that honors the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These journeys return you to the very regions where your unit once served, forging a powerful link between past and present. Walking these historic grounds offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with your unit’s legacy—gaining deeper understanding of the landscapes, challenges, and pivotal moments that shaped your service.

  • To honor the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans, the Connecting Generations initiative pairs veterans of post-Vietnam conflicts—such as Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq—with Vietnam veterans on return journeys to Vietnam. This meaningful program builds a powerful bridge between generations of service members, fostering shared experiences, mutual understanding, and enduring camaraderie.

  • Each return journey to Vietnam is supported by a dedicated team committed to your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Many are fellow combat veterans who understand the meaning of your return. With medical, logistical, and production professionals by your side, the experience is guided with respect, dignity, and quiet reflection.

  • The Battlefield Repatriation Initiative is restricted to combat veterans who served together as comrades in arms. This eligibility criterion is integral to the intent and integrity of the program and is not subject to exception or extension to family members. We appreciate your understanding and your respect for the purpose and solemn nature of this initiative.

  • Your return to Vietnam will be provided at no cost through the support of a private consortium dedicated to honoring those who served in combat. This support is offered in recognition of your distinguished service and as part of our enduring commitment to those who bore the burdens of war. All aspects of the journey—including international travel, accommodations, and all program-related expenses—will be fully covered. This comprehensive provision is intended to allow you to focus solely on what holds the greatest significance: paying tribute to your service, honoring the fallen, and reflecting on the lasting legacy you share with your fellow veterans.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Vietnam-Inc-Veterans-Return.jpeg

#RETURNTOVIETNAM

This mission honors the fallen, veterans, families, and civilians affected by the war. Together, we uphold healing, unity, and lasting reconciliation.