Two remains of fallen soldiers found in Quang Tri acacia forest

Two sets of remains believed to belong to fallen soldiers have been recovered from an acacia forest in Quang Tri province, after local residents provided information about the site.

Team 589 surveyed the area after learning that the forest had been planted over an old cemetery. Information gathered by the team indicated that soldiers who died while fighting in Laos had once been brought there for burial.

The first set of remains lay about 1.3 meters underground, still wrapped in a military tarpaulin. Investigators also found a military belt, 24 coffin nails and a shirt button. The second set lay about 1.1 meters deep, with a tarpaulin, shirt buttons, five military trouser buttons and 30 coffin nails.

The bones had decomposed and broken apart, leaving only several relatively clear sections. Team 589 said the artifacts could help researchers compare and verify information about the soldiers. It has preserved the remains and associated items, provided care and incense according to custom and regulations, and expanded the search in the forest.