Did Any American Soldiers Stay in Vietnam After the War?

In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, a small number of American soldiers, particularly Vietnam veterans, made a surprising decision: they chose to stay in Asia. This article explores the journeys of some of these soldiers and the challenges they faced.

Staying in Thailand and Beyond

Many American and some Australian Vietnam veterans fell in love with the region during their time in Vietnam and decided to stay. After their discharge, some chose to settle in Thailand or other neighboring countries. While working as a TV news cameraman/journalist in Thailand, I met several of these expatriates. Some stayed in Thailand, while others eventually returned to live in Vietnam or Laos.

Robert Garwood and McKinley Nolan

However, not all American soldiers who stayed in Vietnam were doing so by choice. One notable case is that of USMC Pfc Robert Garwood. Captured in October 1965 by the VC, Garwood spent years as a prisoner of war and then, scandalously, became a traitor who collaborated with the enemy. He was eventually returned to US control in 1979, four years after the fall of Saigon, and was court-martialed and convicted by the US Marines.

Another story is that of McKinley Nolan, an American soldier in the US Army who escaped from Army brig and ended up in Cambodia with a family. He was eventually killed by the Khmer Rouge in the late 1970s.

A National Shame and Abandonment

The cases of Garwood and Nolan serve as hard evidence of what many consider to be a national disgrace: American prisoners were left behind at the end of the Vietnam War. The war was ended by six presidents and official Washington, who failed to admit their "guilty secret" and abandoned these soldiers.

Escape Attempts and Life in Bali

During my time working at Bass Pro, I had shifts with a Vietnam veteran who claimed that during his RR/leave he met an Australian woman who asked him to go AWOL and live with her in Australia. Despite this, very few individuals chose to stay. The ease of escaping back then made it possible, yet very few attempted it.

Challenges for American Soldiers in Vietnam

After the fall of Saigon, it was almost impossible for any American to remain in Vietnam. Several reasons contributed to this:

Language Barrier: The Vietnamese language posed a significant obstacle for Americans trying to integrate into society.

Government Control: The Vietnamese government, which had total control over the population, was focused on collectivizing the workforce and classifying and cleansing former South Vietnamese military personnel.

Reeducation Camps: Lower enlisted ranks faced relatively mild reeducation, but officers were often held for many years.

Resentment: Former South Vietnamese soldiers and their families harbored deep resentment towards the Americans, who had deserted them.

For these reasons, it was far safer to move to Thailand, even if it meant crossing through Cambodia, where defense was stronger.

Conclusion

While the majority of American soldiers returned home at the end of the Vietnam War, a few chose to stay in Asia, often due to personal circumstances or love. These stories highlight the complex aftermath of the war and the challenges faced by those who remained behind.