Film tells how Hawkins, Có went from Vietnam foes to friends in higher ed

Some 50 years ago, Jack Hawkins Jr. and Lê Công Có were looking to kill each other deep in the jungles of Vietnam.

But today, the two are titans of education working hand in hand across continents to broaden the understanding of Vietnamese and American students.

Troy University debuted a new documentary short film Sunday, “Beyond a War,” at the the Davis Theatre that tells the story of the unlikely journey for the two men from sworn enemies to colleagues.

Hawkins went on to become Troy University’s long-serving chancellor with a particular focus on international relationships. Có, a former member of the Viet Cong, founded Duy Tan university in Vietnam. 

In the film, Có recalls many close brushes with death from B-52 bombings, including one that killed all six other individuals in his tunnel. Hawkins recalled losing several Korean soldiers to roadside mines that also wounded several Americans.

Despite Hawkins’ first memories of the country being tinged by hostilities, Hawkins later returned to gain a new perspective on the country after broadening his understanding of the world through education.

Interviewed about his return to the country where last he waged war, Hawkins remarked “Last time we came we were carrying bullets; this time we’re carrying books.”

The documentary debut Sunday was celebrated with a short concert from POPulus, Troy’s popular music ensemble comprised of students in the Music Industry Program, performing songs from the Vietnam era. A variety of guest speakers then introduced the film including Jack McManus, president of the Vietnam Veterans of America, and Kent Davis, head of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. 

“This insightful documentary illustrates how extremely far the people of Vietnam and the U.S. have traveled together in friendship since our long-ago war,” McManus said. “The use of historic footage, along with the counterpoint interviews, illustrates what we have long known, that at the heart, we had much in common with the enemy against whom we fought.”