Tien Kirk Tran always knew her masculine middle name was unique.
Classmates would even ask her about it, but she'd simply joke that it was a reference to Star Trek's Captain Kirk.
But, as an adult, Tien Kirk learned there was an extraordinary story behind her unusual name, one that explains the course of her life.
"I was traveling and I got a phone call from my mom during a layover and she was so excited," Tien Kirk told NPR. "I couldn't understand what she was saying on the other end of the line, but she was talking something about the ship. And I was like 'I have no idea what you are talking about.'"
As it turns out, the ship her mother was referencing saved their lives.
Tien Kirk's mom evenutally told her about a newspaper article she saw on May 7, 2005, and the incredible story began to unfold. (It's a Vietnam War story as heartwarming as the two sailors who reunited 38 years after the war ended!)
Read the story below along with photos…
The USS Kirk was a U.S. Navy ship that rescued thousands of South Vietnamese refugees after the Fall of Saigon — or what’s known as the end of the Vietnam War.
Among them was a pregnant woman named Lan Thi Nguyen.
On April 29, 1975, her husband insisted she leave the country with her mom. (Lan Thi's father was murdered by communists.) All Lan Thi had were her clothes and sandals, but she did what her husband said.
"U.S. sailors brought the food and drinks to us,” she told NPR. "Everyone was so grateful and happy because they knew they were all going to survive."
Lan Thi and her mom were told to stay inside the ship because she was pregnant.
The USS Kirk captain, Commander Paul H. Jacobs, put 18-year-old Don Cox in charge of taking care of her as they transferred the refugees to safe territory. They quickly formed a bond.
"She and I had an infinity for each other. She, to me, was like my little sister," he said.
Despite speaking different languages, they were somehow able to communicate.
"There’s times when individuals, especially in stressful situations, are able to communicate their basic needs and wants and maybe it was a lower level, a subconscious level, that we were communicating on," he said.
The ship left the refugees at the U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines.
Lan Thi and Cox parted ways. They would never forget each other.
Lan Thi immediately left the Philippines and continued to Guam, an island territory of the U.S.
Hours later, she gave birth to a baby girl.
She named her Tien Kirk Tran. Had it been a boy, his first name would’ve been Kirk (after the ship), but she settled for the middle name for her baby girl.
Tien Kirk always wondered about her name. And, finally, 30 years later, she understood it all.
Lan Thi and Don Cox, the man who helped her through such a difficult time, reunited years later thanks to a newspaper article.
Watch the beautiful moment below.
This incredible story from aboard the USS Kirk is one that needs to be told. Please SHARE if it touched your heart!
