All American wants for Christmas is his long-lost Thai love

William Bruce’s memories of the 1970s are filled with the strain and trauma of being an army doctor at the height of the U.S.-Vietnam war. But amid those memories is a wistful sweetness for a dark-haired woman he met during a brief break in Chiang Mai.

The wartime army physician, now retired in California, is now looking to find the long-lost love that he nearly married 51 years ago during the Summer of Love before, at least until duty pulled him away. To rekindle an old flame? Bruce says he’s been happily married 30 years and just wants to “find out what happened to her” and offer any help, if needed.

“She was a beautiful and gracious lady and had a great influence in my life in spite of our short relationship,” Bruce said in a message. “I love the country of Thailand and will return there once this pandemic has been brought under control.”

Bruce,…