DNA Identification Concludes Decades-Long Search for Fallen Soldiers in Vietnam

The advancement of DNA identification technology in Vietnam is shedding light on the identities of soldiers missing for over half a century. This technology has confirmed the remains of fallen soldiers after decades of searching, bringing immense joy and relief to many bereaved families. In Bắc Giang province, the family of fallen soldier Lương Bá Nho, residing in Tiền Phong commune, Yên Dũng district, had held onto a faded photograph and memories of his departure for over 50 years, never abandoning their search. Nho enlisted in 1970 at the age of 19 and tragically died of malaria during a march in Cambodia. For years, his family suffered from not knowing his exact burial site. His mother, before her passing, expressed a fervent wish to find her son and bring him back to his homeland. Nho was born in 1951 into a family with a revolutionary tradition. After graduating high school, he studied at Bắc Ninh Industrial School. In 1970, at just over 19 years old and in his second year of university, he voluntarily enlisted. That Tet holiday was the last time he was able to return home. He stayed with his family for only one day before departing. The farewell on a chilly, drizzling morning at 7 AM saw only a few younger siblings escorting him to the edge of the village. His younger brother vividly remembers his elder brother carrying a backpack and a 15kg basket of stones, which their father had personally woven to help him build strength before marching. Since that farewell, the family received no further news except for a Tet greeting letter. In this letter, filled with love for his homeland, he spoke of the "green mountains and forests" where his parents toiled to raise their children by selling vegetables, crabs, and fish at the market. He promised to return to care for his parents and look after his siblings once the country was unified. However, this promise could never be fulfilled. On September 7, 1970, fallen soldier Lương Bá Nho died of malaria while marching through Cambodia. A cousin, who was also a comrade, carried him to the hospital and personally handled his funeral arrangements. Shortly thereafter, the family received the death notification. At that time, his younger brother, Lương Bá Doanh, was only 14 years old and could not forget the image of his parents crying uncontrollably upon hearing the devastating news. For over half a century, the family did not know his exact resting place. Before passing away in 1993, his mother tearfully urged her children: "You must find your brother and bring him back to his homeland to be reunited with his parents in the afterlife." This dying wish became the aspiration of many generations within the family. Despite facing many hardships in life, they never stopped searching. The family repeatedly visited Military Region 7 and Military Region 9 to inquire for information. In 2017, all five siblings continued their search based on the guidance of old comrades. By 2023, upon learning that some fallen soldiers were being relocated to the Đức Cơ Martyrs' Cemetery in Gia Lai, the family contacted the authorities to cross-reference the list, but the identity could not be confirmed. A turning point came in 2024 when the Ministry of Public Security launched a national program to collect DNA samples from relatives of fallen soldiers. Two younger brothers directly participated in providing blood samples, holding onto a faint hope after decades of waiting. Through DNA identification conducted by the Department of Police for Administrative Management of Social Order in coordination with the Department of Police for Administrative Management of Social Order (PC06) of Bắc Ninh province, the identity of the fallen soldier was confirmed to match the DNA sample of his relatives. The identification results brought overwhelming happiness. The remains being reinterred at the Đức Cơ Martyrs' Cemetery were indeed those of fallen soldier Lương Bá Nho. After more than half a century of arduous searching, the wishes of his parents and the entire family had finally come true. Overcome with emotion upon receiving the results, his younger brother shared, "We always dreamed of seeing him again. Now, what seemed impossible has become a reality. Thank you to those who did not give up with our family." Not only the family of fallen soldier Lương Bá Nho, but also the family of fallen soldier Đậu Duy Đào (from Giang Sơn Đông commune, Đô Lương district, Nghệ An) received similar joy when DNA identification results confirmed the identity of their lost relative after decades. Mr. Đậu Duy Thanh, the fallen soldier's younger brother, recounted that from the moment he enlisted, his elder brother harbored a spirit of willingness to contribute to the Fatherland. Because he did not meet the required weight for conscription, he added two stones to his backpack to qualify. Just one year later, the family received the death notification. Amidst the many difficulties of wartime, the memorial service was held simply, and the location of his death and his grave remained unknown for many years. The desire to find their relative was always present, but due to a lack of information and family circumstances, they never had the opportunity to pursue it. In 2025, the family was invited by the Provincial Police to participate in a DNA sample collection program for identifying fallen soldiers. Mr. Đậu Duy Thanh stated that initially, the entire family was concerned about the cost of the procedure. Upon learning that the program was entirely free, they willingly cooperated. The subsequent DNA identification results confirmed that the relative's sample matched the remains of fallen soldier Đậu Duy Đào. After years without any clues, the family finally knew where their loved one rested. "We are deeply moved and overjoyed to hear the news. On behalf of the family, I would like to thank the police force and relevant authorities for helping to correctly identify the soldier's DNA, allowing our family to find our relative's grave," Mr. Đậu Duy Thanh said, his voice choked with emotion. These DNA identification results not only help to restore the names of those who fell for the Fatherland but also bring an end to the decades-long search for countless families. After more than half a century of waiting, these "delayed reunions" have, to some extent, soothed the lingering pain of war in the hearts of those left behind. Source: Nhan Dan