The revolutionary mother of Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen

The mother is a descendant of Can Vuong

Her family was poor, she raised 7 children alone, but she always encouraged her children to study to be good people, turning her house into a solid base to hide revolutionary cadres.

Mr. Vo Minh Khieu, a retired history teacher in Quang Trung commune who called Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen his uncle, said: “The late Mrs. Dang Thi Cap (1882-1982) was the granddaughter of Mr. Lanh Tran, a talented commander of Admiral Le Truc, who participated in the Can Vuong movement along the Gianh River. Local history still records that she was the one who ignited the flame of patriotism and the family tradition of fighting the enemy during the Can Vuong period for her children, and inspired them to follow the revolution.”

Mother Dang Thi Cap raised her children to follow the revolution.

Elderly man Nguyen Huu Khanh, 100 years old, once told his children and grandchildren about his admiration for Mrs. Dang Thi Cap: “Mr. Cap’s husband died early, when he was only 47 years old, and he tried to raise his children alone. Although the family was poor and had many children, she still made sure that her children finished primary school. Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen was able to study until high school at Saint Marie School in Dong Hoi, then joined the revolution.”

Mr. Pham Van To, Secretary of the Quang Trung Commune Party Committee, said: “Co Cap was enlightened about the revolution very early. In 1937, he hid revolutionary cadres in his house. His house was a place to print and hide secret Party documents, as well as a meeting place and a place to hide weapons in preparation for the August 1945 General Uprising in Quang Trach District, Quang Binh.” Because it was a base for hiding pre-uprising cadres, and seeing the French invaders causing chaos, she let all five sons participate in revolutionary activities.

To set an example, Mrs. Dang Thi Cap became the President of the "Association of Mothers of Soldiers" during the resistance war against the French. Teacher Vo Minh Khieu said: "She was once imprisoned by the enemy but still wholeheartedly believed in the leadership of the Party and Uncle Ho, and was extremely loyal. After peace was restored, she was a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Binh province from 1958 to 1976. That was the spirit of patriotism that was forged on the banks of the Gianh River."

The sons went to war

Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen. Photo courtesy of Hoang Thuy

Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Trung Commune, flipped through the notebook and briefly listed the family of Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen. The late Mrs. Dang Thi Cap had 100 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who were party members, including 1 member of the Politburo, 3 of whom were members of the Provincial Party Standing Committee (or equivalent). Now all 5 of her sons are veteran revolutionary cadres, 2 of whom are cadres who participated in pre-uprising activities, 4 of whom have received the 60-year Party membership badge. Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen received the 80-year Party membership badge. Major General Nguyen Huu Anh, former Deputy Director and Party Committee Secretary of the Logistics Academy, is the late Mrs. Cap's 6th child. The late Mrs. Cap's grandson is Lieutenant General Nguyen Huu Cuong, former Commander of Military Region 4. The late Mrs. Cap had nearly 40 grandchildren participating in the armed forces, including 13 colonel-level officers and 12 lieutenant-level officers.

“To be recognized and awarded ranks by the Party and State, she encouraged her children and grandchildren to go to war. Some became martyrs, some were wounded, but no one disobeyed their mother’s instructions for the country and the people,” said Mr. Hoa.

With a loyal heart for the country, when the country was completely unified in 1975, the late Dang Thi Cap was honored to join the delegation of Quang Binh province to go to Hanoi to attend the ceremony to celebrate the liberation of the South and the reunification of the country.

The late family was honored to receive the “Golden Board of Honor” from the Government, especially the “Family with merit to the country” certificate. For all her revolutionary activities, the late Dang Thi Cap was awarded the Second Class Resistance Medal. On March 22, 1982, she passed away at the age of 100.

General Dong Si Nguyen and General Vo Nguyen Giap. Photo archive

In 2005, the house of the late Cap was recognized as a revolutionary relic by the Party, State and Government. A stone stele was erected in the small house to remind generations of a resilient mother. Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen also followed his mother's words, encouraging his children to leave when the country needed them. The war took away his fourth son, a Captain of the Artillery Company, while protecting the Fatherland's border.

With 96 years of life, 84 of which were spent participating in the revolution, Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen lived nearly a century full of excitement with great contributions and merits.

He was the Commander of the Truong Son Corps for the longest period (1967 - 1975) and was one of two people promoted from Colonel to Lieutenant General.

Lieutenant General Dong Sy Nguyen has done a lot to help his comrades and repay those who have died for the country. He is an active founding member and Honorary Chairman of the Truong Son Veterans Liaison Committee - Ho Chi Minh Trail.

He was the one who directed and directly managed the process of finding a location to design and build a truly meaningful Truong Son Martyrs Cemetery, worthy of the sacrifice of millions of martyrs at Ben Tat Hill, Quang Tri Province on the eastern slope of Truong Son.