Vietnam confirms identity of fallen soldier Huynh Van Quen via DNA after 60 years

After nearly six decades, fallen soldier Huynh Van Quen has been officially identified and returned to his family through DNA testing. The announcement by the national committee for searching, collecting, and identifying the remains of martyrs brings closure to a long-standing uncertainty.

The confirmation resolves discrepancies between the soldier's name on official documents and the belongings found with his remains. This official recognition is what his family has awaited for almost 60 years.

Quen, a deputy squad leader, fought in the Saigon area during the 1968 Tet Offensive. His remains were found with personal effects, including a pen, comb, wallet, and balm, during a search at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City. A note found with the remains bore the name "Huynh Van Quen" and unit information, which matched historical records.

However, the identification process faced challenges due to a death notice that listed his name as "Huynh Van Quyen" while a " bằng Tổ quốc ghi công" (certificate of national merit) held by the family used "Huynh Van Quen." DNA testing of relatives and further archival research were conducted to clarify the discrepancy. The program confirmed that the death notice was indeed for Huynh Van Quen, resolving the name variation that persisted for decades.

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The family lost a person