Viet X. Luong

Major General (Retired) Viet Luong emigrated from Vietnam with his family to the United States in 1975 as a political refugee. He received his commission as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer upon graduating from the University of Southern California, serving on active duty for the next 34 years until his retirement in late 2021. Throughout his career, Luong had commanded at the rifle platoon to flag level and participated in numerous operational and combat deployments. Outside of extensive combat experience, Luong also served in several critically important strategic assignments, including tours as the Deputy Director for Pakistan Afghanistan Coordination Cell, where he assisted the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs in shaping national policy for the region, and Army G-8 Director of Joint and Integration, where he was responsible for the Army Modernization Strategy and facilitating the Army Requirements Oversight Council (AROC). Most recently, he served as the Commanding General of U.S. Army Japan, from 2018 to 2021. In this capacity, he effectively operationalized his command and improved U.S. Army force posture in Japan in the face of superpowers competition against near-peer adversaries in the region. He also worked closely with the Japan Ground Self Defense Force to improve interoperability and assisted the latter in enhancing its lethality, capabilities and capacity in the defense of Japan. Just as important, Luong effectively cultivated long lasting relationships with U.S. Allies in the region and promoted a culture of trust, dignity, respect, and inclusivity throughout his command.

Luong recently served as the Chief Operating Officer for OrthoMed Anesthesia and currently serves as a member of the board of advisors for two private companies, where he provides advice on campaign planning, leader development, strategic engagement, and process improvement. In addition, he is a member of the board of directors for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation and a AUSA Leadership Fellow.

Luong holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Southern California and a Master of Military Arts and Science from the Army Command and General Staff College. In 2012, he attended Stanford University as a National Security Fellow, where he focused on U.S.- China Policy under the tutelage of Former Secretary of Defense, Dr. William Perry. In addition to his military awards and recognitions, he is a recipient of the 2010 Daughters of the American Revolution’s Americanism Award, 2016 Andrew Carnegie Great Immigrant, USCIS 2021 Outstanding American by Choice, 2018 Republic of Korea Cheonsu Medal, and 2021 Japan Imperial Order of the Rising Sun. He is married to the former Kimberly Lau of Denver, Colorado. They have three children, a daughter, Ashley, and sons, Brandon and Justin.