Paul Nguyễn Công Anh
Vietnamese "Righteous Among the Nations"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paul Nguyễn Công Anh (1919 – 2008) was a Vietnamese national who was classed as a Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.
Paul Nguyễn Công Anh | |
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| Born | 1919 |
| Died | 2008 (aged 88–89) |
| Known for | Helping Jews escape persecution during World War II |
| Awards | Righteous Among the Nations Knight of the Legion of Honour |
Early life
Paul Nguyen was born in Vietnam and immigrated to France, where he attended the University of Nice. There he met fellow student Jadwiga Alfabet, a Jewish refugee from Poland, and became engaged to her.[1]
Second World War
In the summer of 1942, French police began arresting Jews with foreign nationality, including some of Jadwiga's relatives. Paul married Jadwiga on 5 September 1942, in the hope that by gaining French citizenship she would be protected from deportation.[1] The couple then moved to Clermont-Ferrand, returning to Nice in 1943 when that city was in Italian control and relatively safe. However, in September 1943 the Germans re-occupied Nice and danger of deportation returned. From this time Paul Nguyen hid his wife, her uncle and aunt, Jakub and Salome Berliner and their baby son Roland.[2] Obtaining false papers in November 1943, he arranged a people smuggler to take Jakub to Switzerland. He arranged a second journey with Salome Berliner and her infant child.
Personal life and awards
Paul and Jadwiga Nguyen had two daughters together. He was recognized as a Righteous Among the Nations on 30 April 2007.[3] He is the only Vietnamese person recognized with this honour. His other decorations included the Knight of the Legion of Honour.[4]