Triệu (Taylor) Vũ

Vũ Quang Triệu (Taylor Vũ), age 92, passed away on May 20 in Murray, Utah. He left this world peacefully, surrounded by his family. After taking his final breath, a helicopter took off nearby, letting his family know he was near.

With his passing, we remember a life lived with immense character, integrity, sacrifice and legacy.

Triệu was born on February 3, 1934, in Lich Dong, Vietnam. His early years were marked by hardship, as he endured poverty, war, and the loss of both his mother and, later, his stepmother.

On August 16, 1952, at the age of 18, Triệu married Lã Thị Không. Their relationship began as an arranged marriage, but over time grew into a deep and lasting partnership built on love, sacrifice, laughter, and devotion.

At 18, Trịệu joined the French Air Force in Vietnam and later served as a pilot in the South Vietnamese Air Force alongside American soldiers during the Vietnam War. In the final days before the fall of Saigon, he secured his family’s escape on a cargo plane bound for Guam while remaining behind to continue serving. Triệu risked his life defending his country until the last possible moment. As Saigon fell to communist forces, he joined fellow helicopter pilots to rescue as many American and Vietnamese evacuees as possible, transporting them to ships of the United States 7th Fleet. During the historic evacuation later known as Operation Frequent Wind, their helicopters were pushed into the South China Sea to make room on crowded flight decks for incoming aircraft carrying refugees fleeing the collapse of their homeland.

After spending two months at Wake Island, Trịệu was reunited with his family at Camp Pendleton in July of 1975. He arrived in the U.S. with nothing but one briefcase of documents and photographs.

Trịệu and his family rebuilt their lives in Utah, where they worked together to provide for their daily needs while also helping Trịệu further his education. In 1977, Trịệu graduated from Utah Technical College with a degree in electrical and automation technology. He became a proud U.S. citizen in 1981 and remained deeply grateful for the freedom, opportunities, and new beginning America gave to his family.

Vũ Quang Triệu’s military career spanned over two decades. He assumed command of a wing as a Colonel and is highly decorated both from the Republic of Vietnam and the United States.

Notable Awards (Republic of Vietnam) include Gallantry Cross with Willow Branch and Gold/Silver/BronzeStars; Air Gallantry Cross with Gold and Silver Bird Wings; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device; Military Service Medals; Technical Service Medals; Good Conduct Medals; Staff Service Medals; Armed Forces Honor Medals; Air Service Medals; and civilian awards for heroic conduct. Notable awards (United States) include Air Medal with a “V” (Valor) Device; “Winged S” Air Rescue Emblems.

Triệu was a man of great character and humility. He was the connector and patriarch of his family and the optimal example of what that should look like. He loved deeply, sacrificed much, and never deviated from doing the right thing. He held high expectations for his family to live with integrity and honor their family, country, and others through their actions and lives.

He has left a lasting legacy that we all strive to emulate.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Vũ Thị Liên, his son Vũ Quang Toàn, his father Vũ Quang Nùng, mother Không Thị Ai, stepmother Pham Thi Cừu, and half-sister Vũ Thi Cừu.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 73 years Khổng Thị Lã, his sons Vũ Quang Trung (T Lich) and Vũ Quang Thomas (Paula), his daughters Vũ Thị Ánh Tuyết (Lô), Vũ Khánh Ngọc Pearl, and Vũ Thị Bích Hồng; 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held on June 6th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel at 7265 S. 2700 W. West Jordan UT 84084. The viewing will begin at 8:30 am followed by a service at 9:30 am. Graveside Service with military honors will be held at Memorial Mortuary in West Jordan, Utah at 11:30am

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the organization Veterans of Foreign Wars.