Honoring Captain Dana French: A Commemorative Bench & Tree

Update (March 25, 2025):

Thanks to your incredible generosity, we've nearly reached our original goal of $5,200! We've since learned that we will need to hire someone to water the tree regularly for the first few months to ensure it thrives. We're now aiming for a stretch goal of $6,000 to cover those ongoing care costs.

We're also working on organizing a gathering in Baker Park once the bench and tree are installed—everyone in the Boat 262 community will be warmly invited. More details to come in the coming weeks!

Thank you for helping us create a tribute to Captain Dana French that will endure and continue to honor his legacy for years to come.

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On December 10, 1980, more than 300 Vietnamese refugees boarded a 40-foot wooden cargo boat, risking everything in search of freedom. Forty hours later, on December 12, 1980, the USS Robison (DDG-12), under the command of Captain Dana French, rescued the passengers of Boat 262. His decision to save these refugees was an extraordinary act of kindness and bravery—one that shaped the future of hundreds of Vietnamese families, including our own.

45 years later, we want to honor Captain Dana French in a permanent and meaningful way.

The Pham Family is raising funds to place an 8-foot bench with a commemorative plaque and plant a large shade tree in Baker Park in Frederick, Maryland, as a tribute to Captain Dana French.

He currently resides in Frederick, MD – and we would love to place this gift just steps from his home. This bench will be a place where visitors can reflect on his heroic legacy, the resilience of the Vietnamese refugee community, and the profound impact of one man's integrity.

How You Can Help

Our family has been in touch with the local Frederick, MD city government and respective Baker Park agencies, and are actively working to get both the tree and bench placed in late Spring / Summer 2025. We are raising funds to cover:

Note: any overage in funds will go towards the early maintenance + watering of the tree, as City staff is not available to water newly planted trees.

This tribute in Baker Park will ensure that Captain French’s heroism is remembered for generations to come.

Every donation, no matter the amount, helps bring this homage to life. If you’re unable to donate, please share this fundraiser with your friends, family, and community. Your support means everything.

Thank you for being part of this tribute to Captain Dana French.

With gratitude,

The Pham Family

Nguyen, Tuyen, Kim, and Vanessa Pham

Learn more about Boat 262: https://www.facebook.com/boat262/