The Life and Legacy of Bui Tuong Phong

We examine the life and legacy of pioneering Vietnamese American computer scientist B\`ui Tuong Phong, whose shading and lighting models turned 50 last year. We trace the trajectory of his life through Vietnam, France, and the United States, and its intersections with global conflicts. Crucially, we present evidence that his name has been cited incorrectly over the last five decades. His family name appears to be B\`ui, not Phong. By presenting these facts at SIGGRAPH, we hope to collect more information about his life, and ensure that his name is remembered correctly in the future.