Hero of the People's Armed Forces Hoang Van Nam: Navigating through war with willpower, courage, and responsibility.

From a young man from Nghe An to a missile soldier.

Born in 1948 in Nghi Hai commune, formerly Nghi Loc district (now Cua Lo ward), and raised in a coastal area rich in revolutionary traditions, in 1965, at the age of 17, Hoang Van Nam falsified his age to volunteer for military service, beginning a glorious military career.

Starting as a 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gunner in the Nghe An Provincial Military Command, he directly participated in protecting key targets such asCam Bridge, Vinh AirportIn Cua Lo, those early days of carrying a gun under low-altitude fire honed his calmness and quick reflexes – vital qualities for a future anti-aircraft soldier.

In 1966, due to the army's development needs, Hoang Van Nam was assigned to study to become a SAM-2 missile operator in the Yen The forest (formerly Bac Giang province). Training conditions were extremely difficult; there were no modern models or simulation equipment, and many technical lessons had to be memorized using hand-drawn diagrams and through late-night study sessions by oil lamp. But it was in these hardships that Hoang Van Nam's perseverance, thinking ability, and sense of responsibility gradually emerged. In May 1967, he was assigned to be a rangefinder – a crucial position in the missile crew, responsible for determining the range and parameters of the target for accurate targeting.

During the period 1967-1969, as part of the 52nd Battalion, 267th Regiment, Hoang Van Nam participated in the defense of Hai Phong Port City. The Minh Kha battleground (An Hai, Hai Phong) became a renowned "steel battleground," where his combat team shot down many types of modern aircraft. Hoang Van Nam's ability to accurately track targets was so precise that he could distinguish between actual aircraft signals and the most complex types of interference. It was here that General Vo Nguyen Giap, during a visit to the unit, personally shook hands with the radar operators and praised them as the "golden hands" of the armed forces.

In 1967, at the An Lão battlefield (Hai Phong), during a fierce American bombing raid, a 20mm shell struck the generator area. While trying to roll the burning fuel drum away to protect the equipment, Hoang Van Nam suffered severe burns and a leg injury. After treatment, he quickly returned to his unit and continued fighting. On November 8, 1967, he was admitted to the Party right on the battlefield – a special milestone in the life of this soldier.

Victories in the skies of Northern Vietnam and Nghe An

In late 1971, his unit moved from Hai Phong to Nghe An, tasked with protecting transportation routes, safeguarding strategic supply lines, and preparing to engage the enemy along the retreat route of the US Air Force. This was the preparation phase for the final decisive air battle.

In July 1972, despite not having received formal training at an officer school, Hoang Van Nam was appointed as a missile control officer – a position considered the "brain" of the combat crew. In this role, he had to make life-or-death decisions in just a few dozen seconds, amidst dense electronic interference and immense combat pressure.

On the night of December 18, 1972, at the Dat Thit battlefield (formerly Nghia Dan district, Nghe An province), a tense situation unfolded. The sky over Nghe An was densely covered with jamming signals from a group of B-52s that had just dropped bombs on Hanoi and were flying towards the sea. With his composure and extensive experience, he calmly led his radar crew to track the jamming signals. With just two missiles, his crew successfully hit one B-52. The "flying fortress" was severely damaged, burst into flames, and was forced to make an emergency landing at Da Nang airport, no longer able to continue fighting.

This achievement not only demonstrated masterful technical skills but also affirmed the ingenuity of the Vietnamese missile troops in the face of the technological superiority of the United States. Throughout his military career, Major Hoang Van Nam directly participated in 106 battles, operating 177 missiles, contributing directly to the unit shooting down 29 American aircraft, 16 of which crashed on the spot. These impressive figures have placed him among the most outstanding missile operators of the Air Defense - Air Force Command.

The strength of character in everyday life and the bridge of friendship across the ocean.

Behind the life-or-death battles lay a private life full of sacrifice. In November 1971, at a film screening in Hai Phong, Hoang Van Nam met Nguyen Thi Hien – a girl from Nghi Khanh commune, Nghi Loc district (formerly), who was interning at a civilian affairs agency. Recognizing each other by their hometown accents, they quickly bonded amidst the brutal war.

In January 1972, the couple held a simple wedding in their hometown. But that fleeting happiness lasted only seven days before Mr. Nam left to take on his new assignment. War doesn't give soldiers ample choice, but it was the love of his family that became his strong spiritual support, keeping him steadfast in every combat decision.

After 1975, Mr. Hoang Van Nam continued his studies, receiving training as a mid-level commanding officer, then becoming a teacher and chief commanding officer for missile and radar technology. In December 1989, he was discharged from the army and returned to work in Quan Hanh town, Nghi Loc district (formerly), now Nghi Loc commune. In his civilian life, the former missile soldier continued to contribute in many positions: Vice Chairman of the People's Committee and Head of the Police Department of the town, Acting Chairman of the People's Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee, and Chairman of the Veterans Association of Nghi Loc town (formerly)... In any position, he maintained a disciplined and straightforward demeanor, putting the common good above all else.

His family has four children, all of whom grew up in peacetime. Not living off the glory of his military achievements, his children were educated in the simple, disciplined lifestyle of their father – a soldier. In their humble home in Block 4, Quan Hanh town, former Nghi Loc district (now Nghi Loc commune), stories about B-52s and the war are not told for personal pride, but to remind future generations of the value of peace.

In August 2015, a momentous event took place: the President of Vietnam signed a decision awarding the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to Major Hoang Van Nam. This was a well-deserved recognition for his life of combat and dedication. In his twilight years, this hero still maintains a simple lifestyle. The owner of a small photocopy shop in Quan Hanh still diligently works every day, personally repairing machinery and devotedly serving the people with the same hands that once operated B-52 "sniffing" missiles.

In particular, in September 2025, Hero Hoang Van Nam had the honor of participating in a high-level delegation accompanying the President of Vietnam on a visit and exchange with Vietnamese and American veterans in New York.

Standing in the heart of America, facing those who had once been on the other side of the battlefield, Mr. Nam carried no hatred, but a message of reconciliation and a yearning for peace. The "golden hand" that once shot down enemy aircraft now clasped the hands of American veterans in a moment of overwhelming emotion. This is a symbolic image of a Vietnamese people who are tolerant, peace-loving, yet always ready to defend their sovereignty with unparalleled courage.

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To the officials, Party members, and people of Block 4, Mr. Hoang Van Nam is not only a Hero of the People's Armed Forces, but also a veteran Party member who worked at the grassroots level and lived a very exemplary life. In Party branch activities and community life, he always maintained the disciplined demeanor of a soldier, being straightforward yet sincere. The stories he told about the war were not meant to recount personal achievements, but rather as a way to remind the younger generation to cherish peace and live more responsibly towards the community.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Binh - Secretary of the Party branch of Quan Hanh 4 hamlet, Nghi Loc commune