Trần Văn Trực passed away peacefully at home on the evening of March 31, 2026, in Ashburn, Virginia.

Born on December 16, 1938, in Thị Nghè, an eastern suburb of Sài Gòn, Vietnam, to Trần Văn Hiển and Lê Thị Quyến, he was preceded in death by his two older sisters and three older brothers. He is survived by his devoted wife, Dương Thị Vương; his children: Khanh Tran, Quoc Tran, Loan Jellá, and Linh Tran; 12 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

His life was one of service: to his country, his faith in God, and above all, his family. He valued honor, loyalty, education, grit, and freedom, and was known for his strong will and a wicked sense of humor.

Raised during decades of war, he came of age in a divided Vietnam. After the loss of his older brother, who refused to align with the communists, he chose to serve his country. He began as a pilot in the Vietnamese Air Force and later served with the elite Airborne Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. In recognition of his service alongside the United States Air Force Red Marker Forward Air Control unit, and his role as Director of Operations within the Red Beret Airborne Division, he was awarded the U.S. Air Force Air Medal in 1968. He served with courage until the fall of Saigon in 1975.

As the country fell, he remained at his post until the final retreat was ordered. Only then did he evacuate with his family, knowing that staying would likely cost him his life and an uncertain future for his family. He carried Vietnam in his heart for the rest of his life and chose never to return while it remained under communist rule. His journey to the United States took him through refugee camps in Guam and Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, before his family was sponsored by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in New Castle, Pennsylvania. There, he began again with humility and determination, working as a night janitor and enduring long winter walks in unfamiliar conditions. In gratitude and as a sign of respect to his sponsors, he and his family attended Lutheran services on Sundays in addition to Catholic Mass on Saturdays.

He later settled his family in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia, industriously seeking both opportunity and community. He earned his GED and built a stable career as a machinist, working for Bendix and Siemens for over 20 years until his retirement in 2002. Together with his wife, he created a strong foundation for his family, ensuring that all four of his children received higher education and the opportunity to live freely.

His Catholic faith was central to his life. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the local veterans group, and the Vietnamese Catholic community. He helped establish and supported the Our Lady of Vietnam Catholic Church in Hampton, Virginia, strengthening both faith and community for future generations.

He found joy in simple pleasures: tinkering with tools, tending his garden, watching soccer and boxing, and searching for treasures at Saturday morning garage sales.

He leaves behind a legacy of resilience, sacrifice, and honor. More than anything, he will be remembered as a man who endured great hardship, rebuilt from nothing, and gave his family the opportunity to live a better, more peaceful, and prosperous life- a gift that continues through generations.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Society or planting a tree:

https://donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ifrc/local-everywhere/~my-donation