Our Family Vietnam History and Legacy

To gain a neutral perspective, the First Republic invited United Nations to send an investigative mission to South Vietnam, despite official protests from North Vietnam. Even though South Vietnam was working toward membership in United Nations, the Secretary General granted the request.

Marguerite Higgins and an independent United Nations investigative team, Southeast Asia Investigations Mission, and Ellen J. Hammer wrote on May 8, 1963 at 8:00PM, a large crowd, under the leadership of Thich Tri Quang, besieged Hue radio station demanding religious rights. The station director, Ngo Gam, refused their demands and barricaded himself. He called on the local fire station and government security forces for help. Major Dang went to see Provincial Head who happened to be at the residence of Ngo Dinh Can. Mr. Nguyen informed Major Dang he has direct contact with Thich Tri Quang who promised no riot would be incited and the gathering was mostly peaceful. Not quite convinced of the crowd's intention based on the reports from the radio station, Major Dang contacted his Division Commander, who was not available. He then consulted with General Le Van Nghiem, commander for First Military Corps, who suggested Major Dang to follow the Provincial Head's order because the incident was a civil not a miltary problem. General Nghiem further advised Major Dang to handle the incident as expediently and as non-lethally as possible, or he would face President Diem's wrath for not surpressing riots. Major Dang also was given the authority to mobilize armor division as well as any means neccessary. When security forces, in armored vehicles, arrived about 2 hours after first reports of riots came in, with the Provincial Head, Nguyễn Văn Đẵng, to negotiate with the venerable and the station director. Major Dang announced to the crowd blocking entrance to the radio station that he had orders from his superiors to use force, if neccessary, to protect the radio station, a military strategic broadcasting position. An agreement was reached and Mr. Nguyễn Văn Đẵng and Thich Tri Quang were allowed to enter the radio station with the purpose of dispersing the crowd. As a crowd of 10,000 got violent and pushed their way inside the radio station, security forces were unable to calm them down. Fire hoses were first used to subdue the crowd, but were greeted with hurling rocks and stones. When Major Dang and his entourage was about 50 meters away, two large explosions blasted at the radio station's perimeter while Nguyễn Văn Đẵng and Thich Tri Quang were inside, causing a massive stampede. In defense against possible Viet Cong intrusion into the radio station during the confusion under cover of darkness, Major Dang signaled his men, with 3 shots to the air, to use MK3 concussion grenades to subdue the riot and secure the area. Fifteen concussion grenades were used. At the time, the military had no other effective means for crowd control such as tear gas and riot gears. After the crowd dispersed, there were 7 dead and 1 dying, along with 15 wounded [United Nations, 1963] [Dommen, 2001] [Hammer, 1987] [Higgins, 1964].

The Trial

Mr. Francis Tan Nguyen opened the defense by stating the trial of Dang Sy was not valid because:

1. The victims were confirmed not to be prisoners of war, political prisoners or oppositions.
2. The Military Tribunal could not hold trial for misconduct, after the accused was cleared on wrongdoings, under South Vietnam Military laws.
3. Even though the military trial was public knowledge, leaking false information to the media to sway public opinion was unethical under any justice system.

These arguments were dismissed by the presiding judge and the prosecution proceeded.

The Tribunal then asked if Major Dang was under any pressure for his testimony in court, he re-iterated that he had been placed in dark isolation for weeks and had twice been pressured to pin the responsibility on Bishop Ngo Dinh Thuc, in exchange for his freedom and future repercussions [Baltimore Sun, 1987], [Higgins, 1964].

Under oath, Major Dang's testified, in the 30 minutes alotted, that he received a distress call from the radio station director asking for help in dealing with a hostile group of advancing people, possibly armed. As head of Security, Major Dang called Saigon Headquarters to report a large crowd beseiging the broadcasting station. Saigon Headquarters ordered Major Dang to protect the station at all cost due to its military use for relaying information to troops and the public. Major Dang requested instructions on dealing with riots. Saigon Headquarters allowed use of military force. With given authority, Major Dang arrived with armored vehicles and troops from the First Division, internal security police and other special forces. As precaution against violence from rioters, Major Dang had his troops equiped with MK3, non-lethal grenades used in local militia exercises. Upon arrival, the police and military police were unable to disperse the crowd. Major Dang announced to a very large crowd of agitated people to disperse; he had the authorization to use force, if neccessary, to control riot. This perhaps, was the cause for the subsequent series of media attacks against Major Dang [Dommen, 2001]. Major Dang then asked the crowd to give way for the security forces to enter the station. With troops cordoned off the immediate area, Major Dang and a small security contingence entered the station. Upon entering the radio station, Major Dang's entourage passed an overpass. Several children were climbing on top of the wall to have a better look at the commotion inside the radio station. One of the accompanying lieutenants warned Major Dang about the military disadvantage of having unknown parties positioning on higher grounds. As a precaution, Major Dang told the lieutenant to have someone removed the young curious people from the wall. Before any order was enacted, a series of blasts knocked the overpass on top of the wall, mortally wounded these young people. The eight victims were: Nguyễn Thị Ngọc Lan, age 12 (female). Huỳnh Tôn Nữ Tuyết Hoa, age 12 (female). Nguyễn Thị Phúc age 15 (female). Lê Thị Kim Khanh, age 17 (female). Trần Thị Phước Tự, age 17 (female). Nguyễn Thị Yến, age 20 (female). Nguyễn Văn Đại, age 13 (male) and Đặng Văn Công, age 13 (male) [United Nations, 1963] [U.S. Congress, 1967]. Using the confusion, the crowd broke into a stampede, threatened to overrun the radio station.

Major Dang defended the radio station in two phases. First he ordered his troops to use water cannons from the local firemen to disperse the crowd. Most of the people withdrew but an advancing crowd hurled back stones and rocks, as well as insults and threats. Major Dang then signaled his men to use MK3 concussion grenades to subdue the people who tried to enter the radio station. The concussion effects were more successful then the water cannons. Major Dang met his objectives: the crowd finally dispersed; the area was secured, and the station Director, Provincial Head Nguyễn Văn Đẵng and Venerable Thich Tri Quang were able to come out of the station [Dommen, 2001] [U.S. Congress, 1967] [Owosso Argus-Press, 1966].

The Witnesses

Other civilian witnesses countered that they heard the shots from Major Dang prior to the explosions that caused the deaths. An audio recording supporting the civilian witnesses claims was presented; however, prosecution could not secure the time and place of such recording.

Four members of the Security Contingence also appeared as witnesses. Two soldiers gave testimonies that Major Dang initiated the barrage of grenades by throwing a green and a white grenades into the crowd. Two other officers testified that Major Dang did not give orders to fire upon the advancing crowd. However, these testimonies were not proven further because these witnesses contradicted themselves upon questioning by the prosecution [Dommen, 2001], [Hammer, 1987]. When facing contraditories from the witnesses, the prosecutor requested additional testimonies, but the presiding judge declined [Christian Science Monitor, 1967] [Hammer, 1987].

The Rebuttals