“Hãy nhớ lấy lời tôi!”
Có những phút làm nên lịch sử
Có cái chết hoá thành bất tử
Có những lời hơn mọi bài ca
Có con người từ chân lý sinh ra. . .
Those are To Huu's poems for the hero who planted a mine to assassinate US Secretary of Defense McNamara at Cong Ly Bridge 57 years ago: Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Van Troi.
Mr. Troi was born on February 1, 1940 in Thanh Quyet village (Dien Ban district, Quang Nam province), in a family with revolutionary traditions. When he was 16 years old, he bought a train ticket to Saigon, no matter how hard it was, he worked as a hired worker at night and studied theory at Ba Nghe School (now Cao Thang Technical College), then applied for a job as an employee. employees at Cho Quan Power Plant. His dream at that time was simple: a peaceful country, opening an electrical repair shop to live. But soon he soon realized: "As for the American aggressor, no one is happy".
In early 1963, Mr. Troi met and fell in love with Ms. Phan Thi Quyen. In the middle of that year, with patriotism and youthful enthusiasm, he became a soldier in the Saigon commando. In 1964, knowing that McNamara's delegation came to inspect the actual situation to prepare to escalate the war to invade Vietnam, the Saigon Special Forces immediately drew up a plan to destroy. At this time, Mr. Troi had only been married for a few days, so he was not sent to participate. Beyond his personal happiness, he resolutely demanded to go to war, asking someone to sign the death book instead. However, on May 9, 1964, when he had just placed an 8kg mine next to Cong Ly bridge, he and his teammates were unfortunately arrested.
Despite being brutally tortured, Mr. Troi still kept his bravery, determined not to reveal the organization, and took all responsibility for himself to protect the lives of his teammates. On August 11, 1964, he was sentenced to death by the Saigon court of Nguyen Khanh's government. At the execution site, he calmly took off his mask and said, “No, let me see this land, my dear land”. At 9:45 am on October 15, 1964, he was executed at Chi Hoa prison when he was 24 years old. Before his death, he chanted:
Take my words
Overthrow the American Empire!
Down with Nguyen Khanh!
Long live Ho Chi Minh!
Viva Vietnam !
His blood dripped, but his spirit was immortal. Following his example, the Saigon - Gia Dinh Youth Union launched the "Year of Volunteers" movement throughout the South, attracting over 2 million turns of Southern youths to register to participate. Tens of thousands of union members and members joined the Liberation Army and youth volunteer units, contributing to the historic 1975 Spring Victory, liberating the homeland, worthy of the title of youth on the land of the bronze.
A thousand years from now will remember yesterday
One autumn morning, in the middle of Chi Hoa jail. . .
He walked over, eyes on, calmly
Like you are the judge
The grass in the garden is cool at your feet
Life is still fresh and green. . .
Must fight like a communist
Big hearts are not afraid of guns!
Take my Word – To Huu
Today's youth generation continues to "Live like you", enthusiastic, resilient, proud and indomitable. The fight against the Covid-19 pandemic is taking place every day, every hour on all fronts. Many young people, union members and party members are not afraid of difficulties and dangers to join the frontline of the whole country in fighting the epidemic. Then we will once again Great Victory.
On the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Traditional Day of the Vietnam Youth Union (October 15, 1965 - October 15, 2021), let's review the images of Mr. Nguyen Van Troi.
Mr. Nguyen Van Troi (bicycle driver) when he was in commando before being captured by the enemy. (Photo: Family documents)
Ms. Phan Thi Quyen and Mr. Nguyen Van Troi on the wedding day. (Photo: Family documents)
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Wedding photos of Mr. Troi and Ms. Quyen were restored in color.
Mr. Troi and Mr. Loi at the time of being arrested with a landmine (Documentary photo of the old regime)
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Praising the heroic sacrifice spirit of hero Nguyen Van Troi, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: "For the Fatherland, for the people, martyr Nguyen Van Troi bravely fought against the American imperialists until his last breath. together. Troi's heroic spirit is a shining example of revolutionary sacrifice for all patriots, especially for young children to study".
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Nhan Dan Newspaper, No. 3860, October 25, 1964, published the article "Remember my words" by poet To Huu and the article "Representatives of Hanoi religions vehemently oppose the US-Khanh murder of Nguyen Van Troi, demanding Immediately release Mr. Le Hong Tu".
A picture of Quyen in front of Mr. Troi's grave in Do Thanh Cemetery on October 17, 1964. On the day Mr. Troi was shot, she ran everywhere but could not find his resting place. The next day read the new newspaper that he was buried in Do Thanh Cemetery. Early on October 17, his grave was found. His family chose Phap Van Pagoda to pray for him. Then she took his father back to his hometown in the Central region. In early 1965, organized for her to escape to the liberated area. On the night of December 29, she secretly set out to "R" (war zone).
Phan Thi Quyen with writer-director Luis Correa (who was involved in the "Kidnapping Smolen" case). Photo: Embassy of Venezuela.
A little hint: The images of the resilient and indomitable struggle of Mr. Troi and many Vietnamese revolutionary soldiers are also on display at the War Remnants Museum. When the translation is over, please visit to learn more about the arduous, sacrificed, heroic and heroic struggle of our forefathers!
Praising heroic sacrifice spirit of hero Nguyen Van Troi, President Ho Chi Minh wrote: "For the Fatherland, for the people, martyr Nguyen Van Troi bravely fought against the American imperialists until his last breath. together. Troi's heroic spirit is a shining example of revolutionary sacrifice for all patriots, especially for young children to study".
The Armed Forces of the National Liberation of Venezuela (FALN) under the command of Commander Luis Correa planned for 12 FALN members to kidnap the US military attaché Smolen in order to demand the White House release Mr. Troi. US claimed to agree to FALN's conditions but in fact launched a hunting campaign. Right after Smolen was released 3 days, Mr. Troi was shot by the Saigon regime.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Smolen
Mr. Martínez was a member of the group that kidnapped Smolen
After Mr. Troi was executed, Mr. Martínez was also arrested and brutally tortured, sentenced to 12 years in prison. The 12 guerrillas who participated in the Smolen abduction that year were captured and one died. With the Venezuelan guerrillas, the Vietnamese people's resistance war against the US to save the country was a source of immense encouragement and encouragement.
Mr. Martínez once affirmed that the kidnapping of an American officer was an act of solidarity with Vietnam and the progressive world. He said: “I was very sad to hear that Nguyen Van Troi was executed, but he never died. He lives forever. Those who fight for life never die. When I heard that he was still being executed, I was heartbroken because we really hoped we could change the situation."
The book "Living like you" written about Mr. Troi's life and the book "From the front lines of the Fatherland" together with a backpack and rubber sandals are intimate items of each soldier participating in the resistance war against the US imperialists.