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PORT HUENEME, Calif. Aug. 19, 2025.– For more than half a century, the United States has carried a solemn promise to account for those who never returned from past conflicts. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) leads this mission of remembrance and resolve, working tirelessly across the globe to bring closure to families of the missing and honor the nation’s commitment to never leave a service member behind.
“I never forget the saying we have in the military: We never leave anybody behind,” Ho said. “Every time I think about the missions I’ve been part of, I say to myself, it’s an honor. We brought brothers and sisters home after 60, 70 years, and I love to be part of that promise.”
Equipment Operator 2nd Class Hung Ho, a Seabee assigned to Naval Construction Group One, was named the U.S. Navy’s Linguist of the Year for Fiscal Year 2024 after volunteering for multiple missions with DPAA, which works to recover and repatriate the remains of U.S. service members missing from past conflicts. His fluency in Vietnamese has made him an indispensable bridge between U.S. recovery teams, local officials, and communities in rural Vietnam where many recovery efforts take place.
Born in Vietnam and immigrating to the United States as a teenager, Ho carries a unique cultural fluency that strengthens his work in the field. His interpretation skills and ability to foster trust and understanding between American teams and Vietnamese communities, makes him a unique asset to the U.S. Navy. “I am pretty much the voice of my team leader,” Ho explained. “From official negotiations to simple safety instructions on site, everything runs through the linguist. Without that bridge, the mission doesn’t move forward.”
Ho recalls how many villagers, some living far from the cities, had never interacted with Americans before. Despite the history of conflict, he found openness and friendship. “These local villages—they love Americans,” he said. “We gave them jobs, we worked alongside them, and they enjoyed it. That connection helped the mission and strengthened relationships for the future.”
The recovery missions are far from simple. Teams spend weeks in the jungles of Vietnam, often in austere conditions. Equipment shortages, environmental restrictions, and the delicate task of balancing mission needs with respect for local landowners are constant challenges. Ho’s Seabee background proved vital when machinery or field equipment broke down. “There are times when the mission depends on a generator or a water pump,” he said. “If those fail, divers can’t dive and we can’t dig. That’s when engineering skills become as important as language skills.”
Beyond recovery operations, Ho sees his work as part of a larger story of healing and partnership between former adversaries. Where war once divided, cooperation now unites. Each mission represents closure for American families whose loved ones have been found and hope for the 1,567 U.S. Personnel from the Vietnam War that remain unaccounted for. “These missions are about respect,” Ho said. “Respect for our fallen, respect for the families waiting at home, and respect for the people of Vietnam who help us in this work. Every successful mission brings us closer together.” Ho’s recognition as Linguist of the Year shines a spotlight on the vital role of language and culture in military operations.
Though his official Navy rating is Equipment Operator, his volunteer service as a linguist has directly supported DPAA’s sacred mission. “I’m just lucky enough to be recognized for the work I’ve done,” he reflected. “You don’t have to be in the linguist career field to make a difference. If you know a second language, you can help. And if you get the chance to bring someone home, it’s the most honorable work you can do.”
From jungles in Vietnam to recognition by DPAA in Port Hueneme, EO2 Hung Ho embodies the Navy’s commitment to never leave a service member behind. His award is a testament to his personal dedication and the enduring bonds forged between the United States and Vietnam in the pursuit of remembrance, reconciliation, and respect.
Naval Construction Group One (NCG 1) is homeported in Port Hueneme, Calif., and leads and manages the overall capability and readiness of its Naval Construction Regiments (NCR’s), Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB’s), Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU), and Underwater Construction Team (UCT). NCG1 provides the required engineering support that the Navy and Nation needs to construct and maintain base facilities, repair battle damaged facilities, conduct defensive operations as required, and to meet disaster preparedness and recovery missions.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2025 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 545901 |
| Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Hometown: | MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Navy Linguist of the Year Helps Bring America’s Fallen Home from Vietnam, by Oscar Garcia, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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