My name is David O. Chung, but most people call me Doc because those are my initials. I was born and raised in Chicago Illinois. My father served in WWII as an Allied Foreign National 1st Lieutenant Intelligence Officer in the United States Marine Corps. On my father’s side of the family, our genealogy in America goes back as early as the 1800’s. After high school, I attended college majoring in Aeronautical Engineering. During this time my Draft Lottery came up #4. Instead of being drafted into the Army for two years, I enlisted in the United States Air Force.
I served in Vietnam in 1972 and 1973. I was assigned to Bien Hoa Air Base with Detachment 1, 377th Air Base Wing, 7th Air Force, and was attached to the 1st Marine Air Wing, 12th Marine Air Group as a Composite Unit during the 1972 Easter Offensive. As a result of my service in Vietnam, I received the Purple Heart, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, USAF Outstanding Unit Award with “V Device” for Combat Operations, Vietnam Campaign Medal with One Bronze Battle Star, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Award, Good Conduct Award, and Air Force Longevity Award. I am a Disabled Veteran.
After Vietnam, and completing my military service, I helped start up operations with a small company called Federal Express and retired after twenty five years of service. After retiring, I was appointed to the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary’s Office For Minority Veterans as a Program Analyst, and Advisor to the Congressional Committee on Veteran Affairs. I was also a Liaison to Congress and the White House concerning Asian American, Pacific Islanders and Native American, Minority and Female veterans healthcare and administrative benefits.
I served on the City of Chicago Veterans Advisory Board in 1987 to 1989.
I have been, and still am, a member of many veterans organizations. I was a member of the National Committee for Minority Veterans, Veterans Employment and Business Opportunity, and Chair for Minority Veterans Affairs for the State of Indiana Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Committee Member for VVA National.
I was the primary advisor in design of the Lansing Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Illinois which was dedicated in 1992.
I recently retired as a Director for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation (VWMF) in Washington, DC. I implemented, and coordinated the Whistlestop Tour, and managed the transportation of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial across the United States in 1993. I helped coordinate the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial where it now rests on the National Mall across from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) In Washington, D.C.
I moved to Cedar City, Utah after leaving my post with the VA, and coordinated the building and dedication of the Iron County, Utah Vietnam Veterans Memorial which was dedicated in 2008. I was then appointed to the Utah State Veterans Board of Directors Nursing Home Facilities.
I moved to Belgrade, MT and now reside in Polson, MT. I am Sgt. At Arms for the Dept. of MT Military Order of The Purple Heart (MOPH).
I am a member of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Kentucky Colonel’s Association, and a FreeMason. My interests in veterans advocacy include State and Federal Policies, and I sit on the Montana Committee for Veterans Employment, Training and Business Opportunities. I am on Senator Daines Veterans Advisory Board.
My hobbies include Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Jeeps, and muscle cars. I was a private instructor for Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department as a Small Firearms Safety Instructor, and have been involved in many years of public relations in firearm safety and training.
My wife, Donna, is a United States Coast Guard veteran, and served in Iraq.
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