From fleeing Vietnam as a young refugee to orchestrating Afghan evacuations four decades later, France Hoang's life embodies the American dream and the enduring spirit of service. In this powerful presentation, Hoang shares his extraordinary journey: arriving in America as a child refugee, attending West Point, serving in a warzone, advising at the White House, and ultimately coming full circle to help evacuate Afghan allies during America's withdrawal. His story is not just a testament to personal perseverance, but a living example of how America's promise of opportunity can transform lives across generations.
Join us at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library as Hoang explores powerful lessons about gratitude, duty, and the ripple effects of compassion. His journey stands as a living testament to President Ford's courageous leadership during Operation New Life, which welcomed over 130,000 Vietnamese refugees to America's shores. Through Hoang's remarkable story, we see how President Ford's bold humanitarian decision continues to bear fruit today, creating ripples of positive change that span generations and continents.
Details on Attending
Registration
Space is limited and registration is encouraged.
Watch the Livestream
Register to watch the April 23 livestream here.
Where & When
April 23, 2025:
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
1000 Beal Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Program begins: 6:30 p.m.
April 24, 2025:
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
303 Pearl Street NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Program Begins: 6:30 p.m.
Program Supporters
In partnership with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation is proud to bring France Hoang to Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor.
About France Hoang
Born to a South Vietnamese Army Officer father and a mother who worked for the U.S. Naval Attaché, France was among the last wave of evacuees from Saigon in April 1975. On April 23, just days before the city's fall to communist forces, he was airlifted to safety aboard a U.S. Air Force C-141 Starlifter. His family's journey to America took them through the U.S. Navy's resettlement facility on Guam and Marine Corps Camp Pendleton, before reaching U.S. Army Camp Murray, where his family was warmly welcomed by the citizens of Washington State and Governor Dan Evans. France and his family were sponsored by a local family, the Petersons, leading to their settlement in Tumwater, Washington.
From these beginnings as a refugee, France has built an extraordinary career of service and achievement. A graduate in the academic top 1% of his West Point class, he has served in every branch of the U.S. Government, including roles as Associate White House Counsel and Special Assistant to President George W. Bush. His military service includes combat deployment with U.S. Army Special Forces in Southeast Afghanistan and earlier service in the Former Yugoslavia.
France holds degrees from West Point, Washburn University, and Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated magna cum laude. His diverse accomplishments include passing both Ranger School and the CPA Exam. He serves as a Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at West Point and as a Senior Fellow with the National Security Institute at George Mason University. He also serves on the boards of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and No One Left Behind.
His commitment to helping others flee persecution came full circle in 2021 when he served as Executive Chairman for Allied Airlift 21, which has facilitated the evacuation of over 2,000 Afghan Allies from Afghanistan. France helped organize the very first approved civilian charter flight out Afghanistan after US forces departed. France has testified before Congress on behalf of Afghan allies and regularly speaks on leadership, service, and the immigrant experience in America.