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| Nguyen Quang Hung with Samuel Axelrad |
(Scroll down for video) A man was happy to be reunited with his arm after 47 years.
The Vietnam War Veteran had the opportunity to thank a U.S. doctor, who saved his life 47-years-ago.
Nguyen Quang Hung is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was shot in the arm by U.S. troops in October 1966 during a battle near the town of An Khe.
After floating in a stream to escape the shooting, the North Vietnamese soldier took refuge in a rice warehouse before being rescued by a U.S. helicopter.
After he was rescued, the veteran was then taken to a military hospital, where he was treated by U.S. doctor Samuel Axelrad. Hung remained at the military hospital for eight months until he recovered. Hung’s arm was badly wounded. In order to save his life, the affected hand had to be amputated.
Dr. Axelrad later took home the bones as a reminder that when an enemy soldier was brought to him, he did the right thing and treated the man. The bones were sitting in a closet for decades. When the doctor finally took them out two years ago, he was wondering about its true owner.
After some research, the U.S. doctor found the former soldier. Dr. Axelrad flew to Vietnam, where the men met at the home of Mr. Hung in central Vietnam. The doctor also met Hung’s children and grandchildren along with other people who believe the U.S. doctor is a hero.
"I am very happy to see him and have that part of my body again after almost half a century. I never thought it's the kind of keepsake a person would want to own," Hung said.
"I am proud of having shed my blood for my country's reunification, and I consider myself very lucky compared to many of my comrades who died or are missing,” Hung added.
"I cannot believe that the U.S. doctor took the infected arm, cleaned off the infected skin, dried it, reconnected the bones, took it home and kept it for over 40 years,” Hung said.
Hung plans to bury his arm with the rest of his body when the time comes.