Wast said he picked up the hat while patrolling a Vietnamese battlefield and crammed it into his backpack. Five months later, he took it home as a war momento and displayed it on a bookshelf for the past 46 years.
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Through the Development of Vietnam Endeavours Fund, a charity organisation, Wast found the owner of the hat and decided to take a return trip to Vietnam.
Wast and three other American war veterans handed over the hat to Hung’s family at a ceremony in Duong Non commune on January 14.
Hung’s family was very grateful and said that they will keep it as priceless gift and a tribute to Hung’s sacrifice.
