US veteran supports efforts to locate fallen soldiers' remains

Together with fellow members of a US veterans' group, Connor spent years examining military maps, historical coordinates and personal records in an attempt to identify the locations of suspected mass graves.

Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Returning to Ho Chi Minh City in early June, US veteran Robert Ambrose Connor visited the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History before attending a workshop on verifying information related to fallen Vietnamese soldiers, a mission he has pursued for many years.

5.jpg
US veteran Robert Ambrose Connor (left) visits the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of History. (Photo : sggp.org.vn)

During his visit to the museum on June 7, the 80-year-old veteran spent time viewing artefacts reflecting the history and development of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam. He listened attentively to presentations on ancient cultures, archaeological discoveries and collections depicting the lives and cultural traditions of Vietnamese people throughout history.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1946, Connor served in the US Air Force and was stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base, now in the southern province of Dong Nai, during one of the most intense periods of the war in Vietnam. In the 1968 General Offensive, known internationally as the Tet Offensive, he witnessed the historic battle at Bien Hoa Air Base, where Vietnam's armed forces launched an attack.

Decades later, while helping his granddaughter with a history assignment, Connor came across a photograph of Bien Hoa Air Base taken in 1968. The image revived memories of a mass grave believed to contain the remains of about 150 Vietnamese soldiers who had fallen in the battle. The recollection inspired him to begin a years-long effort to help locate wartime burial sites.

Together with fellow members of a US veterans' group, Connor spent years examining military maps, historical coordinates and personal records in an attempt to identify the locations of suspected mass graves.

Over multiple visits to Vietnam, he has met with authorities, historians, veterans and relatives of fallen soldiers. Connor and his fellow former servicemen have provided Vietnamese authorities with more than 20 sets of coordinate data linked to suspected burial sites to support the verification, search and recovery of martyrs' remains.

At the museum, Connor showed his interest in stories about Vietnam's land and people. The visit also offered him an opportunity to deepen his understanding of the history and culture of a country he has returned to many times over the past decade in the hope of contributing to post-war reconciliation and healing.

Earlier, Connor and his delegation visited the Reunification Hall. During this trip, he was among the historical witnesses participating in a workshop on verifying information related to martyrs and martyrs' graves in the area of the former Chi Hoa–Cho Quan cemetery area, now Le Thi Rieng Park in Hoa Hung ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

The memories, documents and information preserved by Connor and other US veterans are expected to provide additional evidence to help clarify historical details that have remained unresolved for nearly six decades, supporting efforts to locate and recover the remains of fallen soldiers and honour those who sacrificed their lives for national independence./.

en.vietnamplus.vn

Other News

14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress convened

14th Vietnam Trade Union Congress convened

The three-day congress is regarded as an important political event for Vietnam’s working class and trade union organisations, marking a new development stage of the organisation as the country advances its integration and development agenda.

Development resources unlocked via two-tier local administration model

Development resources unlocked via two-tier local administration model

According to the Ministry of Finance's one-year review report on the restructuring of administrative units and the operation of the two-tier local administration model, the first phase of handling 25,885 state-owned land and property facilities has been completed nationwide.

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.