I
learned from Mr. and Mrs. Hung that after the 1968 Tet offensive Luu Huyen
constantly conducted operations with the Special Forces. On several occasions
they advised him to request a transfer to a less dangerous unit, but Huyen
refused to do so.
Among
the junior-grade officers, Luu Huyen was one of the most decorated: he was
awarded the Gallantry Cross with Palm, with Gold Star and with Silver Star; the
Purple Heart medal; and so forth. Huyen's unit conducted many operations with great
success.
When
the Special Forces were re-organized into the 81st Paratroopers Special
Intelligence Group, Luu Huyen was appointed Commanding Officer of a Reconnaissance
Company with the rank of Captain. After Binh Long was attacked and occupied
by the Communists, a Paratroopers Special Intelligence unit was the first unit
that was airdropped to liberate the provincial capital.
Besides
the award of numerous decorations, Huyen was twice selected as one of the
outstanding soldiers of the Republic
of Viet Nam Armed Forces.
On the second of these occasions, Luu Huyen and a number of other outstanding
soldiers were invited to visit Taiwan
by the Republic of China Armed Forces.