Hang Thi Thu Le-Tormala - Postwar journeys : American and Vietnamese transnational peace efforts since 1975

It was an unforgettable moment when I bid farewell to Dr. Norman Yetman, chair of the Department of American Studies at the University of Kansas (KU) in May 2004, before I returned to Vietnam upon completing my masters program. He said, Look at me in the eye, and tell me if you plan to further your studies. In all honesty, I had not seriously thought about a PhD, but his firm handshake and the great encouragement in his eyes gave me no other options.

I replied, Yes, I will go back to graduate school. I just dont know when yet because I have family obligations awaiting me in Vietnam.

He smiled happily. Of course you dont have to do it right now. I just want to hear you confirm that you will, and I would be very disappointed if you dont want to further your academic career. Thus I left KU with a promise, which was also a great debt for me, and at the time, I could not imagine how I was going to live up to my promise. To make a long story short, Dr. Yetmans encouragement was a great source of academic aspiration. He has my deepest gratitude.

This book was developed from my dissertation at KU. I had the great fortune to receive the guidance and support of extraordinary historians who comprised my dissertation committee. The wisdom and insight of my advisor, Dr. Theodore A. Wilson, has significantly contributed to my academic progress, especially the completion of this challenging project. His expertise in both diplomatic history and military history has been extremely helpful to my topic. I am deeply indebted to him for his timely advice, generous support, and great patience. I owe my interest in history to Dr. William Tuttle, whose knowledge, inspiration, and dedication reshaped my academic path more than a decade ago. Since then, he has been endlessly nurturing and has generously devoted his time to the details of my project. To him, I am forever thankful. Throughout the completion of my research, I have received invaluable suggestions and encouragement from Dr. Sherrie Tucker. She graciously listened to my ideas and challenged me to deepen my thoughts. Her cheerful spirit was also helpful during stressful moments of graduate school. I deeply appreciate her presence and dedication. I owe Dr. Sheyda Jahanbani for the conceptualization of my historical approach for this study. Thanks to her wonderful classes and apt reading selections, I discovered historian Akira Iriyes cultural transnationalism. Dr. Jahanbanis passion for transnational history has served as great guidance for my research. Since the first days of my PhD program, I have also received great assistance from Dr. Jeffrey Moran. He patiently listened to my inchoate ideas for an ambitious project and, again patiently, endured the twists and turns in my academic interests. It is with profound gratitude that I acknowledge Dr. Morans generous support. I was fortunate to also have Dr. James Willbanks on my committee. As an expert in US-Vietnam relations and American veterans, he has been of vital help. I am very grateful for his speedy and insightful feedback.

To complete this research, I relied largely on the Vietnam Center and Archive at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, for its invaluable collections of materials and helpful staff. I am especially thankful to archivist Sheon Montgomery for her hard work. Her resourcefulness and enthusiasm made my time at the archive much easier and more productive. In similar manner, the library staff at KU quietly but greatly contributed to my studies. I also deeply appreciate the staff and residents of the Vietnam Friendship Village (Project USA) in Van Canh, Hanoi, especially the director Dinh Van Tuyen and the manager Nguyen Ngoc Ha, for their helpfulness and hospitality. My heartfelt thanks also go to Nguyen Thanh Phu, the manager of Project RENEWs Mine Action Visitor Center in Quang Tri, Vietnam. Visits to the Friendship Village and the Mine Action Visitor Center were very insightful and inspiring. My deepest thanks go to the interviewees for their crucial contributions to the research. During my stay in Hanoi for my research, I also received great assistance from my friends Nguyen Hien Thi and Tran Thanh Binh. Thi loaned me her scooter and Binh provided me with motherly care in her home. They made my intense trip enjoyable and unforgettable. I am grateful for their friendship and generosity.

I owe a great deal to KU for its generous University Graduate Fellowship and the Doctoral Student Research Fund, without which this project simply could not exist and my dream of becoming a historian may have never come true. I would like to extend my sincere thankfulness to the following professors for broadening my historical knowledge through their wonderful courses: Dr. Paul Kelton, Dr. Kim Warren, Dr. Jennifer Weber, Dr. Jonathan Earle, Dr. Adrian Lewis, Dr. Ann Schofield, and Dr. Benjamin Chappell. They made my academic experiences at KU extraordinary.

In the process of transforming my dissertation into a book, I am deeply grateful to the reviewers chosen by the University Press of Kansas (UPK). Their insightful comments broadened my views and helped improve the manuscript significantly. I thank UPK Editor in Chief Joyce Harrison for her enthusiasm and encouragement throughout the process. Special thanks to Production Editor Colin Tripp for his great assistance and patience. His quick responses were comforting as I was racing to meet deadlines. I also owe a great deal to my copyeditor Jenn Bennett-Genthner, whose diligence and attention to details are invaluable. I benefited greatly from her keen queries. To other staff members of the UPK, I thank you for your hard work during this difficult time as the COVID-19 epidemic is raging through our country.