Prelude

Mathew Sy Dang (Vietnamese: Matheo Đặng Sỹ), was an officer in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam who was known for his unjust implications in the deaths of several young people at a state-run radio station in Hue during the turbulent 1960s. He was initially exonerated by the First Republic, imprisoned by the Military Junta, indicted by the Revolutionary Council and ultimately freed by the Second Republic. His subsequent trial and imprisonment were results of appeasing the volatile politics[1].

Born in the province of Thua Thien, Hue, Sy Dang attended Lasallian school, Pellerin, and graduated from National Military Academy of Dalat as first Lieutenant.

Military life was no stranger to Sy Dang. His father was a captain for the local national guard unit. At age 14, Sy Dang ventured as an interpreter for the local French garrison. He tried the prospect of being a Christian Brother, like his mother's brother, but found out he was not suited for a pious, teaching life. Sy Dang then decided to follow a military career, a popular choice for young men at the time. Sy Dang's mother was from the family of Michael Hy Ho-Dinh.

Lieutenant Sy Dang married at the age of 21. His wife, Maria Cam De Nguyen, came from a long line of devout Buddhists. Her paternal grandmother was a daughter of Emperor Minh Mang. Her maternal side was another line of successful mandarins, the Ho Dac. She converted to Catholicism through marriage and stayed as one until her death.

After attending U.S. Infantry Center & School at Fort Benning, GA. Captain Sy Dang quickly progressed to the rank of major, assigned to the First Infantry Division.

During the early years of the First Republic government, Major Sy Dang was in campaigns aimed at securing a unifying South Vietnam. Major Dang received commendations and medals for doing his duty of protecting his men during security details and patrols to secure Thua Thien province.

In his early 30s, Major Sy Dang was thrusted into a position of responsibility and complex politics. As deputy Provincial Head and Security Chief, in charge of Thua Thien and Hue city, he was embroiled in the midst of political unrests which led to the incident at a state run radio station in Hue and Trial of Dang Sy. Dishonorable press campaign was leveled against Major Dang and the Catholic Church of having directly oppressed the Buddhist[4]. Led by Thich Tri Quang, a crowd of agitators attacked government troops and latter claimed that they were attacked themselves, served as a springboard for denoucement of the government[5]. This serious episode caused many believed the trial was set up to appease the escalating violence and protests even after the ouster of the First Republic's President Diem[1][2].