Asian American veterans share their stories of Vietnam War

During his adolescence, William Fong's entire world was contained in San Francisco. But in 1967, over a decade into the Vietnam War, he was drafted. At age 20, he left his home in the city's Chinatown neighbourhood for basic training, and then found himself in Asia for the first time. Anticipating he would be surrounded by American soldiers who were mostly white, Fong grew anxious about being perceived as an enemy combatant. That anxiety only strengthened his conviction and determination to be the best soldier possible, he said.

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"I wanted to be accepted like anybody else, not necessarily Chinese or Asian or, you know, from any particular part of the country, but just to be myself," Fong said. He didn't want to be seen as any of the racist stereotypes about Chinese men he grew up hearing.

Fong, 77, went on to serve as an armour intelligence specialist during his yearlong tour in Vietnam, ultimately forming some of the most important friendships of his life. Five decades after the Vietnam war ended, more Asian American and Pacific Islander veterans are reflecting on the life-changing ordeal that was at times made more complicated by their race. Service members — from the Army to the Marine Corps — are now sharing stories about the racism they faced growing up and again while serving their country. They were often reminded that they resembled “the enemy” and faced hostility and increased violence.