Vietnam War-era Navy SEALs rediscover their combat interpreter
After 45 years the US Navy SEALs finally rediscover their combat interpreter, fulfilling their creed to "leave no one behind"
The passing of Minh
December 24, 2019
It is with great sadness and deep respect we announce the passing of a true hero and wonderful man and friend, Nguyen Hoang Minh.
We are grateful for his service, his loyalty and his smile. All of us involved in the making of this film and surely all who served with him will never forget him and his heroism and many acts of kindness. Sending messages of condolence to his family, friends and all whose lives he touched in person or through this film .
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
A BOND UNBROKEN screening at the Intrepid Museum
Monday June 24th, 2019
6:00pm
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
includes light reception
Film will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, Navy SEALS featured in the film and advocates for wartime allies.
Free advance registration. For more information and to register visit
https://a-bond-unbroken-intrepid.eventbrite.com
Onsite in Vietnam
About the Film
Synopsis
A Bond Unbroken is a film that tells a rare positive story to come out of the anguish of the Vietnam War.
Narrated by world-renowned broadcaster Bob Woodruff, and featuring a song written for the film by Grammy winner Rob Thomas, A Bond Unbroken spans a period of war and culminates in the moving reunion of the U.S. Navy SEALS and their Vietnamese combat interpreter Nguyen Hoang Minh. Warriors reunited for the first time in more than 40 years at the Navy SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce.
The SEAL Museum, the SEAL Foundation and UDT-SEAL Association all support the film project and have given the filmmakers extraordinary access to their archives and to the Little Creek, Virginia and Coronado, California Naval bases to conduct exclusive interviews. The film contains original film footage shot during the war by one of the SEALs who worked with Minh.
Director & Cast
Director Mary Ann Koenig working with cast members Captain Robert "Pete" Peterson US Navy SEAL (ret.) and Captain Rick Woolard US Navy SEAL (ret.) aboard a boat on the Ben Tre Canal, Vietnam
The History
This documentary came out of a recognition that the story was too special to be left untold. A Vietnamese combat interpreter who worked with the Navy SEALs during the war was about to meet them again for the first time in 40 years. Additionally, finding out that the battle-tough, super-covert warrior SEALs have hearts of gold, was an element that made the story particularly compelling. They raise money to support their old colleague and his family in Vietnam. The time-frame to film the reunion, interview many of those involved, and to take a crew and two SEAL officers back to Vietnam to see their old friend again, was over three years. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to have access to the story and the people, full of admiration and gratitude for an old comrade. I just wanted the world to know about it.
About Us
Captain Robert "Pete" Peterson Navy SEAL (ret.)
Captain Robert "Pete" Peterson Navy SEAL (ret.)
Captain Robert "Pete" Peterson Navy SEAL (ret.)
SEAL Captain Robert “Pete” Peterson is a pioneer in development of Naval Special Warfare operational concepts. With two tours in Vietnam, with Special Operations Group and as commander of SEAL Team TWO 7th Platoon, he led approximately 100 combat missions. He received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star with combat V, and the Presi
SEAL Captain Robert “Pete” Peterson is a pioneer in development of Naval Special Warfare operational concepts. With two tours in Vietnam, with Special Operations Group and as commander of SEAL Team TWO 7th Platoon, he led approximately 100 combat missions. He received the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star with combat V, and the Presidential Unit Citation. He holds a Master’s in International Security Affairs from Naval Postgraduate School where he was selected as class honor graduate. He lives in Austin, Texas and Florida with his wife. They have a son and two grandchildren.
Captain Rick Woolard Navy SEAL (ret.)
Captain Robert "Pete" Peterson Navy SEAL (ret.)
Captain Robert "Pete" Peterson Navy SEAL (ret.)
SEAL Captain Rick Woolard joined the Navy after graduating from Colgate University and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Over his 30-year Naval career he commanded SEAL Teams TWO and SIX and received the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts. He’s the former President of the Special Operations Fund, a non-profit organ
SEAL Captain Rick Woolard joined the Navy after graduating from Colgate University and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Over his 30-year Naval career he commanded SEAL Teams TWO and SIX and received the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars and three Purple Hearts. He’s the former President of the Special Operations Fund, a non-profit organization that supports widows and children of Special Operations units and serves on the board of the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum. He lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he spearheaded the construction of the country’s only Navy SEAL Monument.
About Us
Nguyen Hoang Minh
John Donovan former U.S. Navy Lieutenant
Captain Ron Yeaw Navy SEAL (ret.)
Nguyen Hoang Minh grew up near Saigon, he learned English in High School, and from his father who spoke the language well. As a young man Minh joined the Navy and had the rank of seaman. He moved to My Tho, left the Navy in the late 1960’s and became a translator, and worked independently with the Navy SEALs beginning in late 1967 and co
Nguyen Hoang Minh grew up near Saigon, he learned English in High School, and from his father who spoke the language well. As a young man Minh joined the Navy and had the rank of seaman. He moved to My Tho, left the Navy in the late 1960’s and became a translator, and worked independently with the Navy SEALs beginning in late 1967 and continuing until 1971. He still lives in My Tho where he is retired.
Captain Ron Yeaw Navy SEAL (ret.)
John Donovan former U.S. Navy Lieutenant
Captain Ron Yeaw Navy SEAL (ret.)
SEAL Captain Ronald E. Yeaw A retired U.S. Navy captain within the Naval Special Warfare Community. His work included commands of Underwater Demolition Team 21 and SEAL Team SIX, the world’s premier maritime counter terrorist force. Served three combat tours in Vietnam, was chief of staff of the Counterterrorist Joint Task Force, earning
SEAL Captain Ronald E. Yeaw A retired U.S. Navy captain within the Naval Special Warfare Community. His work included commands of Underwater Demolition Team 21 and SEAL Team SIX, the world’s premier maritime counter terrorist force. Served three combat tours in Vietnam, was chief of staff of the Counterterrorist Joint Task Force, earning Superior Service Medal, Navy Legion of Merit; Defense and Navy Meritorious Service medals; and a Purple Heart. He‘s a graduate of the National War College and the U.S. Navy Command and Staff War College, earned an M.A. in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School and attended several specialized training schools.
John Donovan former U.S. Navy Lieutenant
John Donovan former U.S. Navy Lieutenant
John Donovan former U.S. Navy Lieutenant
Former U.S. Navy Lieutenant John Dononvan served in Vietnam in 1967 with River Section 531. He first returned to Vietnam 1999 and has gone back nearly every year since. A consultant in corporate strategy in health care with international clientele, he helps promote business in Vietnam, including in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. He created
Former U.S. Navy Lieutenant John Dononvan served in Vietnam in 1967 with River Section 531. He first returned to Vietnam 1999 and has gone back nearly every year since. A consultant in corporate strategy in health care with international clientele, he helps promote business in Vietnam, including in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. He created the Loving House Project, (now Compassion House Project) a charity that raises funds to build homes for needy Vietnamese families.
About the MUSIC & The Narration
Rob Thomas & Captain Rick Woolard US Navy SEAL (retired)
Multiple Grammy winning international star Rob Thomas contributed his haunting song THE GREAT UNKNOWN to the film. It is availalble on his album of the same name
Ben Talmi
Ben composed and performs the original score
Bob Woodruff
Broadcaster and world renown ABC journalist Bob Woodruff narrated the film and recorded his contribution from locations around the world
Links Below
Available on DVD and download
Distributed by Cinedigm
Get it at iTunes, Amazon, Barnes & Noble (B&N.com), Walmart.com, Target.com, Kmart.com and wherever you buy your DVDs and downloads.
Amazon
iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/a-bond-unbroken/id1326362692