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Ho Thi Que, also known as the Tiger Lady of the Mekong Delta, was a master sergeant of the South Vietnamese 44th Ranger Battalion, also known as 'The Black Tigers' that fought against the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. She was also a field medic and a nurse.
Was famous for her bravery and courage, earning the nickname 'Madame Death' amongst the Viet Cong she was fighting against. She was three times decorated for valour. Amongst her fellow rangers she was known for her fierceness but also for her compassion; she would physically attack any soldier she found looting after battle but would also comfort and tend to wounded or dying soldiers, often risking her life to reach them on the battlefield. Sometimes she would shave her head to express her grief at the loss of her fellow rangers. She also showed deep compassion for the families of the dead men, fighting for them to receive the benefits due to them or lending them money to enable them to become financially independent.
Was an inspirational figure, often at the front of the battle with the men, charging though paddy fields, spurring her fellow soldiers on to victory. Just a few months before her death she is said to have emerged from a fierce battle against a thousand-strong enemy without a scratch.
But her husband, the Major Le Van Dan – the commander of the 44th Rangers- was also a warrior. He had been awarded almost every South Vietnamese military medal that was issued. His 44th Ranger Battalion had been awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation – the first South Vietnamese unit to be so honoured.
In 1965 the south vietnamese people were shocked when they heard the news that Madame Ho Thi Que had been shot and killed by her husband, the Major Le Van Dan.
Major Dan was quickly arrested and jailed in connection with the death of his wife. On 5 May 1966, after a quick trial, he was sentence to serve one year in prison for the 'murder.'
In court he had testified that Madame Que had attacked him with a knife when she had found him with a younger woman in the tiny village of Vi Thanh, a village often used by the 44th Ranger Battalion as a forward support base during their operations in the U Minh Forest.
He claimed to have shot her in self-defence, stating, “her jealousy was as fierce as her courage in combat.” The prosecutor had countered that the Major hated his wife and had killed her because he though her jealousy had ruined his career.
Other ranking south vietnamese officers believed that Dan was distraught over the fact that he had been replaced as battalion commander of the 44th after the unit had suffered a disastrous defeat after being ambushed by two Viet Cong battalions.
Like his wife, Le Van Dan was a colourful figure. He had led his rangers on many successful combat operations, which made his fellow commanders pale in comparison. Wearing his maroon beret in place of a helmet, and armed only with a .38 calibre revolver, he was an inspiration to his men.
The truth is after the trial, Dan stated, “I accept the verdict. It was inevitable.” He showed no remorse for the death of his wife and long time companion.
Was famous for her bravery and courage, earning the nickname 'Madame Death' amongst the Viet Cong she was fighting against. She was three times decorated for valour. Amongst her fellow rangers she was known for her fierceness but also for her compassion; she would physically attack any soldier she found looting after battle but would also comfort and tend to wounded or dying soldiers, often risking her life to reach them on the battlefield. Sometimes she would shave her head to express her grief at the loss of her fellow rangers. She also showed deep compassion for the families of the dead men, fighting for them to receive the benefits due to them or lending them money to enable them to become financially independent.
Was an inspirational figure, often at the front of the battle with the men, charging though paddy fields, spurring her fellow soldiers on to victory. Just a few months before her death she is said to have emerged from a fierce battle against a thousand-strong enemy without a scratch.
But her husband, the Major Le Van Dan – the commander of the 44th Rangers- was also a warrior. He had been awarded almost every South Vietnamese military medal that was issued. His 44th Ranger Battalion had been awarded the US Presidential Unit Citation – the first South Vietnamese unit to be so honoured.
In 1965 the south vietnamese people were shocked when they heard the news that Madame Ho Thi Que had been shot and killed by her husband, the Major Le Van Dan.
Major Dan was quickly arrested and jailed in connection with the death of his wife. On 5 May 1966, after a quick trial, he was sentence to serve one year in prison for the 'murder.'
In court he had testified that Madame Que had attacked him with a knife when she had found him with a younger woman in the tiny village of Vi Thanh, a village often used by the 44th Ranger Battalion as a forward support base during their operations in the U Minh Forest.
He claimed to have shot her in self-defence, stating, “her jealousy was as fierce as her courage in combat.” The prosecutor had countered that the Major hated his wife and had killed her because he though her jealousy had ruined his career.
Other ranking south vietnamese officers believed that Dan was distraught over the fact that he had been replaced as battalion commander of the 44th after the unit had suffered a disastrous defeat after being ambushed by two Viet Cong battalions.
Like his wife, Le Van Dan was a colourful figure. He had led his rangers on many successful combat operations, which made his fellow commanders pale in comparison. Wearing his maroon beret in place of a helmet, and armed only with a .38 calibre revolver, he was an inspiration to his men.
The truth is after the trial, Dan stated, “I accept the verdict. It was inevitable.” He showed no remorse for the death of his wife and long time companion.
