Utahn from Vietnam to defend U.S. — his new country

DRAPER — Now Dung Nguyen really will be fighting for his own country.

The Utah National Guardsman became an official citizen of the United States of America on Friday. His citizenship comes just days before deploying to the Middle East.

A member of the 115th Maintenance Company, he will ship out Monday for six weeks of training at Ft. Bliss, Texas, and then on to the Middle East for a year-long deployment. "I just want to go over there and help my country," Nguyen said.

"I'm finally an American now, it feels so good," Nguyen said.

The 28-year-old was born in Vautau, Vietnam, and his family emigrated to the United States when Nguyen was just 4-years-old.

The family moved first to Logan, but eventually settled in Orange County, Calif.

Becoming an American citizen has always been a dream for the citizen soldier.

"I am just happy to have this paper," Nguyen said. "It's official now. I'm an American."

In the official oath of citizenship, Nguyen swore that he will "bear arms on behalf of the United States, when required by the law."

Nguyen is a trained logistics specialist who joined the Utah National Guard two years ago.

Setting up the naturalization ceremony just days before deployment required the help of Sen. Bob Bennett's office, Lt. Col. David Thomas said.

Since 2002, 12,000 immigrants in the U.S. Armed Services have taken advantage of an executive order that expedites the naturalization process.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com