Larry Luong Pham

Born February 5, 1935, in Hanoi, Vietnam, Luong discovered his passion for the sea early in life. As a teenager, he left high school to become a sailor, joining the French Colonial Navy during the French Indochina era. When Vietnam gained independence and was divided in 1954 between North and South Vietnam, Luong joined the newly formed South Vietnamese Navy. Settling in Saigon, he met Ngoc—his future wife—who encouraged him to pursue further education, which paved the way for him to become a commissioned naval officer in the South Vietnamese Navy. He served faithfully until the eventual fall of Saigon in 1975 to the Vietnamese Communists. This would lead to his courageous escape with his family to the United States—starting a new life with just the clothes on his back and his sheer determination.

Upon settling in California with limited resources and options, Luong took on various jobs to provide for his family. Despite facing considerable challenges as a refugee, his perseverance and dedication eventually led to a successful career as a marine electrician, which enabled his family to prosper. Although the journey to his new life in America was not easy, he faced each adversity with unwavering commitment to his family.

Luong was recognized throughout his life as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered for the many sacrifices he made on behalf of his family. He is survived by his wife, Ngoc; sons, Tung, Tu, and Tam; and seven grandchildren.