Veterans of Quang Tri ancient citadel provide much information about the remains of martyrs from Nghe An

Thus, up to now, the total number of martyrs' remains found in Gio Binh commune is 38.

Previously, based on information provided by the people, on September 11, 2018, the Martyrs' Remains Collection Team 584 coordinated with the Gio Linh District Military Command and local Party Committees and authorities to conduct a survey and search for the remains of our soldiers who died in the Doc Mieu Farm area in Xuan Mai village, Gio Binh commune (separated from Gio An commune).

As of 5 p.m. on September 26, the Collection Team had found a total of 38 martyrs' remains. The remains were wrapped in tents and hammocks, and some relics such as shoes, sandals, army belts, fountain pens, lighters, and leather wallets were buried with the remains...

Officers and staff of Collection Team 584 and Gio Linh District Military Command collect martyrs' remains at Doc Mieu Farm. Photo: Huy Cuong

Notably, among the remains that were just collected, 2 remains were accompanied by relics, which were Truong Son fountain pens with the martyrs' names clearly engraved on the body of the pen. One pen had the words "Hoang Xuan Quy" engraved on it, the other had the first line engraved with the words "Nguyen Van Hung", the second line engraved with the words "My Loc, Can Loc, Ha Tinh", the third line engraved with the words "Le Thi The" (or "Le Thi The"); the tip of the pen's nib was also engraved with the words "Hung" and "The" (or The).

Currently, the Quang Tri Military Command is directing forces to continue expanding the search area and coordinating with relevant agencies to carry out procedures to verify information about the martyrs.

Relics found with martyrs' remains. Photo: Huy Cuong

Also during this time, from information posted on mass media, veteran Le Ba Duong, a former soldier of the 27th Trieu Hai Regiment (27th Soviet Nghe Tinh Regiment) who fought at this front, provided additional information about the identities and burial locations of the martyrs.

Veteran Le Ba Duong said he had fought in Gio An commune since May 1968 and had witnessed many of his comrades die and be buried in this area. It is very likely that his comrades in the same unit died in battles during the siege of Con Tien.

Regarding the pen with the words Nguyen Van Hung, a relic found with the martyr's remains, veteran Le Ba Duong said that this could be martyr Nguyen Van Hung, born in 1948, enlisted in August 1968 in Company 2, Battalion 2, Regiment 27. Died on September 13, 1968 in Xuan Hai, Gio An, Gio Linh, Quang Tri.

He also added that on September 13, 1968, 26 comrades from Battalion 2, Battalion 3, Regiment 27 died and were buried in this area.

According to veteran Le Ba Duong, in addition to the martyrs of Regiment 27, there may be many more martyrs who died at different times. Or there may also be martyrs who were local soldiers and friendly units who fought together.

Veteran Le Ba Duong's information is an important source of information for martyrs' families and authorities to verify the identities of martyrs.

List of 26 martyrs who died on September 13, 1968

(List of burials in Gio Hai commune (now Gio Binh - PV), Gio Linh district provided by veteran Le Ba Duong)

1. Martyr Nguyen Van Hung, born in 1948, enlisted in the army on August 1966; unit: C2, D2, E27. Hometown: My Loc, Can Loc, Ha Tinh.

2. Martyr Vo Van Lau, born in 1940, enlisted in the army in October 1964; unit C3, D2, E27. Hometown: Thien Loc, Can Loc, Ha Tinh.

3. Martyr Bui Van Xuan, born in 1948, enlisted in the army in November 1966; unit C2, D2, E27. Hometown: Thuong Loc, Can Loc, Ha Tinh.

4. Martyr Bui Thanh Ty, born in 1949; enlisted in the army on August 1966. Hometown: Ky Phong, Ky Anh, Ha Tinh.

5. Martyr Nguyen Cong Chuong, born in 1948; enlisted in August 1966; unit C1. Hometown: Thach Tri, Thach Ha, Ha Tinh.

6. Martyr Ho Sy Hong, born in 1950; enlisted in April 1968; unit C3, D2, E27. Hometown: Dien Trang (possibly Dien Trung), Dien Chau, Nghe An.

7. Martyr Cao Dang Dat, born in 1949; enlisted in April 1968; unit c3 d2 e27. Hometown: Dien Tho, Dien Chau, Nghe An.

8. Martyr Cao Tien Xinh, born in 1949; enlisted in April 1968; unit C2, D2, E27. Hometown: Dien Phu, Dien Chau, Nghe An.

9. Martyr Le Duc Thinh, born in 1949; enlisted in the army in April 1968. Hometown: Nghia Thu (possibly Nghia Thuan), Nghia Dan, Nghe An.

10. Martyr Ngo Tien Han, born in 1948; enlisted in April 1968; unit c1, d2 e27. Hometown: Hien Luong, Ha Hoa, Phu Tho.

11. Martyr Truong Van Thai, born in 1935; enlisted in April 1968; unit C2. Hometown: Minh Luong, Ha Hoa, Phu Tho.

12. Martyr Tran Huu Phuc, born in 1948; enlisted in the army on August 1967; unit C1. Hometown: Gia Dien, Ha Hoa, Phu Tho.

13. Martyr Trinh Van Tuc, born in 1949; enlisted in the army on April 1968. Hometown: Lam Loi, Ha Hoa, Phu Tho.

14 Martyr Tran Quang Nha, born in 1950; enlisted in April 1968; unit c2. Hometown: Lam Loi, Ha Hoa, Phu Tho.

15. Martyr Ha Xuan Nhoi, born in 1937. Hometown: Minh Dai, Thanh Son, Phu Tho.

16. Martyr Pham Trong Hoi, born in 1949; enlisted in the army on July 1968. Hometown: Luong Lu, Thanh Ba, Phu Tho.

17. Martyr Bui Van Bich, born in 1939; enlisted in the army in December 1967. Hometown: Son Phu, Phu Hoa, Dan Hung, Phu Tho.

18. Martyr Ngo Gia Tung, born in 1946; enlisted in August 1967; unit C1. Hometown: Tuy Loc, Cam Khe, Phu Tho.

19. Martyr Nguyen Kien Hoi, born in 1944, Hometown: Thuan Thanh, Pho Yen, Thai Nguyen.

20. Martyr Dang Suu, born in 1950; unit c1, d3. Hometown: Van Phuc, Phuc Tho, Hanoi.

21. Martyr Bui Van Binh, born in 1935; enlisted in December 1967; unit c2 d2.

22. Martyr Doan Thang Duc, born in 1942; enlisted in December 1967; unit D3. Hometown: Van Phuc, Phuc Tho, Hanoi.

23. Martyr Nguyen Van Hong, born in 1935; unit d3. Hometown: Phuong Do, Phuc Tho, Hanoi.

24. Martyr Vu Van Pham, born in 1939; enlisted in the army in 1967. Hometown: Le Giang, Tien Hung, Thai Binh.

25. Martyr Trinh Xuan Lu, born in 1938; enlisted in September 1966; unit C2. Hometown: Yen Quy, Yen Dinh, Thanh Hoa.

26. Martyr An Van Au, born in 1950; enlisted in the army February 1968; unit C1. Hometown: Hung Dao, Tien Lu, Hung Yen.