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General Nguyen Trong Nghia observes the search and recovery operations at the excavation site. |
The delegation observed a minute of silence in tribute to General Secretary Tran Phu; the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Tet Mau Than (1968) General Offensive and Uprising; and Heroic Martyrs Le Thi Rieng and Tran Van Kieu.
Political Commissar of the Ho Chi Minh City Military Command and Standing Deputy Head of the city’s Steering Committee 515 Major General Nguyen Thanh Trung reported that 29 sets of martyrs’ remains had been recovered, including 13 accompanied by personal artifacts. One set of remains was identified as Martyr Huynh Van Quen of Unit 962. Further verification confirmed that the unit was Company 2, Battalion 1 of Long An province, which took part in the attack on Y-shaped Bridge on January 19, 1968, during the Tet Mau Than General Offensive and Uprising.
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General Nguyen Trong Nghia inspects the work. |
Excavation has revealed two burial layers. The upper layer contained mainly artifacts belonging to the Liberation Army, particularly regular units involved in the first phase of the offensive, while the second layer contained numerous artifacts initially believed to belong to Saigon Special Force soldiers. Authorities have expanded the first burial trench, measuring about 50 meters long, 3 meters wide, and 3.5 meters deep, and plan to continue excavating two additional parallel trenches.
The Ho Chi Minh City Military Command has coordinated with Military Region 7’s Steering Committee 515, the city’s Steering Committee 515, and relevant Ministry of National Defense agencies to collect DNA samples from all recovered remains. It has also requested Tay Ninh province’s Steering Committee 515 to collect DNA samples from relatives of martyrs who served with Battalion 1 of Long An province, particularly those who served between 1965 and 1968, for comparison once forensic testing is completed. DNA samples are also being collected from relatives of fallen Saigon Special Force soldiers.
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General Nguyen Trong Nghia and delegates offer flowers and incense in tribute to martyrs. |
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General Nguyen Trong Nghia encourages and presents gifts to members of the recovery team. |
Authorities have verified information on Martyr Huynh Van Quen with his family in Vam Co commune, Tay Ninh province, arranged DNA testing for his relatives, and collected a sample from the recovered remains. Test results are expected within approximately three weeks.
General Nguyen Trong Nghia praised the dedication and achievements of the recovery team, describing the search for and recovery of martyrs’ remains as a sacred and noble mission that reflects Vietnam’s tradition of remembering those who sacrificed for the nation and honoring those who served. He stressed that every effort must be made to fulfill this responsibility.
The GDP’s Chief also noted that recent recovery efforts at Le Thi Rieng Park and other sites across the country had deeply moved the public. He said the discoveries would provide valuable historical evidence, helping further clarify the heroic history of the Vietnam People’s Army, Military Region 7, and the participating units.
During the visit, General Nguyen Trong Nghia encouraged the officers and soldiers on the recovery team and presented them with gifts. Acknowledging that the mission remains difficult and long-term, he urged them to continue overcoming challenges and successfully complete their assigned tasks.
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Forces search for and recover martyrs’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park. |
On July 11 alone, the Ho Chi Minh City Military Command’s recovery team discovered an additional 20 sets of martyrs’ remains, seven sets of accompanying artifacts, and one collective burial site at Le Thi Rieng Park. To date, authorities have recovered a total of 49 sets of martyrs’ remains, one collective burial site, and numerous personal artifacts from the park.
Translated by Tran Hoai