Bernard Tuc Tran

Early on in his military career, Bernard graduated from the class of ‘Vi Dan Thu Duc—V’ (South Vietnam Army). He also trained and was certified at the U.S. Army Infantry School in 1961 (Fort Benning, Georgia) and received a diploma from the U.S. Army Transportation School (Fort Eustis, Virginia) in 1968. After receiving the U.S. Army Commendation Medal in 1970 and being promoted to Captain, Bernard served at the Quang Trung Military Transportation School in Vietnam. During his final military assignment, he worked for the ‘Lien Doan 5 Van Tai’ (5th Transportation Company) in Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam.

After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, he was imprisoned for six years in the communist re-education camp. After being released, he and his family faced political oppression and poverty under the communist government. In 1982, Bernard decided to seek freedom, fleeing the country by boat, however he was unsuccessful. Bernard prayed and made a plea with the Virgin Mary, that if he could successfully escape the country in his next attempt—he would convert to Catholicism. Keeping with his promise, Bernard would be baptized and confirmed in the Philippines that following year.

Once in the US, Bernard settled in San Francisco, California. He enrolled in an electrical technician program, was a taxi driver, and worked as a custodian for 12 years at the San Francisco General Hospital. In 1987, he sponsored his wife and two youngest sons to the U.S. After retiring in 1997, Bernard relocated to Portland, Oregon. However, wanting to further provide for his family, Bernard would come out of retirement in 1998 and work as a custodian for Jackson Elementary School (Hillsboro District). In 1999, Bernard suffered a stroke that would leave him permanently disabled. Though his health declined, spiritually Bernard grew in faith—praying religiously for all departed souls throughout the remainder of his life. By 2016, Bernard would fulfil his dream of sponsoring all his children to the U.S.

Bernard passed away on February 20, 2022 at his home in Beaverton, Oregon at the age of 87. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Martha Tran, and his children Quoc Dung (Nhi) Tran, Quoc Phong (Oanh) Tran, Phuong Dung Tran, Eric (Lieu) Hoang, Theo Tran, Joseph Tran, Sophia (Darick) Tran, and nine grandchildren.

Bernard’s final resting place will be at Saint Anthony’s Cemetery and Columbarium, in Tigard, OR.