The story of two female militia members from Nghe An who shot down an American plane.

Victory at the seaport

Nearly 65 years have passed, but Mrs. Tran Thi Binh (born in 1947) in Thanh Vinh 2 hamlet, Nghi Quang commune (Nghi Loc district) still keeps her Third-Class Military Merit Medal, the medal certificate, and a commendation from the Head of the Education Department, awarded to her when she was a 6th-grade student at Nghi Quang Secondary School, Nghi Loc, for bravely fighting against the US and saving the country in the battles of March and April 1965.

For Mrs. Binh, the mementos associated with her vibrant youth, when she was ready to face hardships and make sacrifices to fight the American invaders and contribute to protecting her homeland, are priceless.

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"Back then, American bombs and artillery rained down on Nghi Quang day and night, devastating villages, burying many people, and forcing residents to evacuate everywhere. The commune established a militia platoon to 'share the burden' with the main army units. Even though I was still a student at the time, I still volunteered to join the militia and fought alongside the older members of the team."

Mrs. Tran Thi Binh, Thanh Vinh 2 hamlet, Nghi Quang commune (Nghi Loc district)

The Nghi Quang commune militia platoon consisted of 25 members, including 6 women, and was equipped with 3 12.7mm machine guns and a heavy machine gun. The platoon's mission was to coordinate with anti-aircraft and anti-aircraft artillery units to establish positions on Hill 200 and Hill 170 to shoot down American aircraft and prevent ships of the 7th Fleet from approaching the shore to attack.

The enemy bombed Hill 200 and Hill 170 day and night. They continuously dropped bombs and shelled the hilltops and slopes, but the militia held their ground, transporting ammunition and supplies to the main army units. Mrs. Binh can never forget the battle of March 31, 1965, the day the army and people of Nghi Quang wrote a major chapter in their confrontation with the American invaders.

That day, just as ammunition was being loaded onto the battlefield, dozens of enemy aircraft swarmed in and dropped bombs. Immediately, female militia member Tran Thi Binh advanced to her 12.7mm machine gun position, pointed it upwards, and fired. At this moment, artillery shells from other positions were also simultaneously fired, creating a "net of fire." An F-4 unexpectedly swerved, turned towards the sea for a short distance, burst into flames, and crashed into the water.

The Nghi Quang militia immediately coordinated with the militias of Nghi Tien and Nghi Thiet communes to capture two enemy paratroopers. That day, the Nghi Quang commune militia platoon, in coordination with the artillery troops, achieved a great victory and was commended.

Nearly three weeks later, on April 19, 1965, Tran Thi Binh's combat unit continued its mission by shooting down an A-4 aircraft, successfully protecting the convoy of transport boats receiving food supplies, and was awarded the Second Class Military Merit Medal. Later, Tran Thi Binh was awarded the Third Class Military Merit Medal and joined the Party at the age of 20.

While serving in the commune's militia platoon, Tran Thi Binh was transferred to become a policy officer of the District Military Command.Nghi LocWith his enthusiastic, proactive nature, unafraid of difficulties, hardships, and dangers, that soldier continued to be present at the "hot spots" of the war to deal with the consequences of bombs and bullets and to treat the wounded and casualties.

Returning to everyday life, Mrs. Binh toiled tirelessly in the rice fields, cornfields, riverbanks, and estuaries to make a living and care for her children, waiting for her husband who was fighting on the battlefield. Not long after her husband returned, he passed away from a serious illness, leaving Mrs. Binh with three young children who had not yet grown up. She had to shoulder the burden of being both mother and father...

Now, at nearly 80 years old and with almost 60 years of Party membership, whenever her children and grandchildren are present, she proudly recounts the heroic deeds she and her comrades accomplished in shooting down American planes in the past.

Shoot down enemy aircraft in Vinh City.

Like Mrs. Tran Thi Binh, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dan (born in 1950) in Tan Phuc block, Hung Dung ward (Vinh City) still keeps the photo of herself and her comrades on duty next to the 12.7mm machine gun from when she was a female militia member of the "Red Village" movement. And Mrs. Dan can never forget the memory of July 25, 1968 - the day the petite female militia member coordinated to shoot down an American F4H aircraft that was attacking Vinh City.

Born and raised in Hung Dung, the "Red Village," and continuing the heroic and resilient traditions of her homeland, after finishing junior high school, Nguyen Thi Dan volunteered to join the anti-aircraft platoon of the commune. At that time, Vinh City was one of the key targets of fierce bombing by the US Air Force, with enemy planes relentlessly attacking buildings, factories, and even residential areas day and night.

The militia platoon, consisting of 11 members, mostly women, was tasked with ambushing and coordinating combat operations with the regular army and air defense forces of Vinh City against the destructive bombing campaign of the US Air Force. Their weapons included a 12.7mm machine gun and rifles to protect key targets such as the Ben Thuy ferry, power plants, and fuel depots.

With unwavering determination, Nguyen Thi Dan and her comrades always stayed focused on their targets and battlefields, often going without meals and not returning home for a whole week to fulfill their resolve to intercept enemy aircraft. Especially in 1967-1968, when the destructive war waged by the US imperialists entered its most intense phase, the nhiệm vụ of the militia platoon became even more arduous, and the soldiers were constantly in a state of alert.ready to fight.

With their resourceful and courageous fighting spirit, the Hung Dung commune militia platoon, in coordination with the main army and other units, repeatedly set up a "fire net," causing panic among enemy pilots. On June 13, 1968, the anti-aircraft troops shot down an American plane, and the pilot parachuted into the Lam River area. Afterwards, the Americans mobilized many planes to fly close to the Lam River to rescue the pilot.

Nguyen Thi Dan's platoon participated in supporting the encircling forces, determined to capture the American pilot alive. Facing the intense fire of the main army units and the Hung Dung air defense militia, the rescue aircraft had to increase their altitude and quickly fly away. The pilot was subsequently captured alive by our forces.

On July 25, 1968, the platoonmilitiaThe commanding officer in Hung Dung commune was ordered to mobilize and set up a defensive position to protect Vinh Station, as there was a high probability that enemy aircraft would attack the area. As predicted, at around 5:30 PM, a group of two F4H aircraft swooped down and bombed the location. As the number one gunner, when the first aircraft dived down to drop its bombs, Nguyen Thi Dan decided to ignore it, because firing would expose the position.

As the second plane plunged downwards, the female militia member of the "Red Village" held her breath and pulled the trigger. A volley of 15 12.7mm bullets struck the F4H, causing the enemy aircraft to burst into flames, wobble in the sky, and crash in Nghi Phu commune (Vinh City). At that moment, her comrades jumped into the trenches, embraced Nguyen Thi Dan, and shouted, "Dan! The plane is on fire!"

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With the achievement of shooting down an American plane, in 1971, I was assigned by the Central Military Commission to accompany a delegation from the Ministry of Defense to visit the Soviet Union. For two months, I traveled throughout the country, recounting the battles of the Red Village militia platoon and the story of shooting down an American plane with a burst of 12.7mm bullets.”

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan (born in 1950) residing in Tan Phuc block, Hung Dung ward (Vinh City)

After leaving the militia platoon, Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan continued to participate in social work, serving for many years as the Chairwoman of Hung Dung commune (ward). Now 75 years old, her health has declined significantly, and her joint disease makes walking difficult, but Ms. Dan still serves as the Secretary of the Tan Phuc Party Branch. She always believes that "As long as the Party needs me, I will continue to serve."