50 years ago, a four-year-old boy arrived on Guam as a refugee fleeing war torn Vietnam.  This week, Hung Cao, now under secretary of the Navy, returned to the island – this time, as top brass in the military after being appointed by President Donald Trump earlier this month. It's a historic homecoming this week for Cao after a half-century of coming to the island as a young refugee.

"By God's grace," he said, "we came to this amazing country called the United States. And Guam was the doorway to freedom for us."

On Monday night, Cao paid tribute to Vietnam war veterans and former refugees at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 668 Headquarters in Mangilao.  These refugees were part of Operation New Life - the US military operation that brought thousands of Vietnamese families to Guam in 1975. Cao was one of them.

Max Ronquillo, president of the Guam Philharmonic Foundation, announced, "50 years ago, our honored guest was one of over 115,000 refugees, who fled a fallen Saigon in April 1975." Cao described the situation then, saying, "In 1975, we faced this fear that the communists were coming over. So that night, my mom was sowing notes into her clothes saying, ‘This is my son, please take care of him if we get separated.’"

He went on to serve the nation that provided him refuge, retiring from the Navy as a decorated combat veteran after 25 years. Now, Cao has returned to Guam as the second-highest civilian official in the Navy, with direct oversight of military operations in Guam.

"I’m just trying to open up relations because I’m the new senior defense official for Guam. So I represent the entire Department of War when it comes to Guam. I report directly to Secretary [Pete] Hegseth when it comes to Guam and the Mariana Islands," he stated.

Tuesday afternoon, Cao also met with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero at Adelup.  His visit comes amid a federal shutdown and Guam’s growing strategic role in the Pacific. Guam congressman Jim Moylan said, "He has a great responsibility. And by the undersecretary coming here at this time when he just got newly appointed, that means how important Guam is."

In the meantime, Cao took the time to speak with Guam’s Vietnam veterans and refugees, underscoring their shared experience. "I’m proud to serve again, to take care of our sailors and Marines the way they’ve taken care of me over the years," he shared. "To the Vietnam vets, thank you again from the bottom of my heart from a former refugee who depended on you to take care of us as we exited Vietnam, came into the refugee camps, and for your continued service."

We’ll have more from the new under secretary tomorrow as he speaks about the federal shutdown, the military housing situation and discussions with island leadership.