Nguyễn Văn Trỗi
Nguyen Van Troi (1940 - October 18, 1964) was a Vietnamese Viet Cong urban guerrilla. He became known after being captured by the South Vietnamese when trying to assasinate United States Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge who were visiting South Vietnam in May 1963.
Sentenced to death, Troi became the first publicly executed Viet Cong member when taken in front of a firing squad in October 18, 1964. His last words "Long live Ho Chi Minh!" were held to show ultimate defiance to American imperialism. He was instantly glorified by the Viet Cong and North Vietnam and became a Vietnamese folk hero in the minds of left-wing groups all over the world.
His legacy is celebrated by various honors. In Vietnam, there is a major street in Ho Chi Minh City named after him, as well as a school (Lycée Nguyen Van Troi, in Nha Trang) and an award (The Nguyen Van Troi Prize). Also, in Cuba, the stadium of Guantánamo is called Estadio Nguyen Van Troi.
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