Story of a martyr from Nghe An who sacrificed his life on Toc Tan C Island - Truong Sa

Martyr Lieutenant Phan Van Hanh – a son of Yen Thanh hometown heroically sacrificed for the peaceful sea and islands. His blood spilled on the coral reef, his name was engraved in the history of the nation and the heroic navy.

Coral reef stained with martyrs' blood

Among the many tributes to mark the 76th anniversaryWar Invalids and Martyrs DayThis year, the family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Dung in group 1, hamlet 2, Phu Thanh commune, Nhon Trach district, Dong Nai province - wife of martyr Lieutenant Phan Van Hanh - a native of Yen Thanh (Nghe An) who heroically sacrificed on January 17, 2014 at Toc Tan C island - Truong Sa is one of the red addresses we need to visit.

Nine years have passed since Mr. Hanh fell into the middle of the ocean, and Ms. Dung’s bungalow is still the same. Dilapidated and damp. Ms. Dung welcomed us with emotion: “It’s been nine years since Mr. Hanh died, and my heart can’t be at peace. He built this house, and when he was alive, it was always filled with laughter. I’m trying to get used to life without a man in the house. Being both a father and a mother. When I’m lonely, I feel sorry for myself.”

After lighting incense for her comrades, Ms. Dung told the story of martyr Phan Van Hanh's sacrifice.

The couple are from the same hometown of Yen Thanh. They got married in 2007 and had their first daughter a year later. After completing the Intermediate Ship Engineering course at the Naval Technical College in District 2, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanh was assigned to work as a shore equipment staff at Station 94, Logistics and Technical Support Base 696 - Naval Region 2 and was promoted to Lieutenant. Hanh's first mission at sea was on a ship on duty during Tet 2013 in the waters of the DK1 platform.

On March 27, 2013, Hanh visited his wife and children for 20 days and then received a new assignment: “In response to the mission of strengthening the forces for the submerged islands, he was transferred to Brigade 146, Naval Region 4, to receive the assignment, then went to Toc Tan C Island. The day he said goodbye to his mother and daughter, he patted his daughter’s head and said, “Dad will come back soon. Stay home and take care of the jackfruit tree so it grows quickly. Who would have thought that would be the last farewell?” Dung was moved, tears welling up as she looked at the jackfruit tree and said, “When Hanh was alive, the two of us ate jackfruit, and my daughter took the seeds to plant. The jackfruit tree is old now.”

At 8:00 a.m. on January 17, 2014, Lieutenant Phan Van Hanh and his teammates were assigned to patrol and protect Toc Tan C Island on a motorboat. When leaving the coral reef, his boat was circling the island to check when it suddenly encountered a huge wave rolling in from the ocean. Although he tried to control the boat, the wind was too strong and the strong vortex caused the boat to capsize. Hanh was pushed down into the sea by the edge of the boat and could not escape.

Upon receiving news that Hanh and his comrades were in distress, the island commander dispatched a team of officers and soldiers to rescue them, but it was too late. The raging waves and whirlwind had pushed him down to the coral reef. Holding his comrade in their arms, the soldiers of Toc Tan island were stunned. The tears of Toc Tan's soldiers mingled with the waves. Immediately afterwards, his comrades brought his body to Toc Tan C island and then transferred it by naval ship to the port of the Naval Region 2 Command in Nhon Trach, Dong Nai.

Wife's feelings

In the pain as War Invalids and Martyrs Day approaches, Ms. Dung shared: “After Mr. Hanh died, I started working at Base 696 - my husband's former unit. My current job is stable. The unit's leaders always create favorable conditions for me to complete my tasks.”

Regarding the pension for martyrs, Ms. Dung said: “After Mr. Hanh died, his agency said they would implement the pension for martyrs. My daughter is entitled to pension according to the regulations for martyrs’ children until she is 18 years old. As time goes by, my daughter and I gradually get used to life. Every July 27, the feeling of missing him comes back. Honestly, there are days when I am sick, there are storms and floods, I feel so sorry for myself.”

Dung went into the room and brought out an old suitcase. Inside were her husband's belongings that had been transferred from Toc Tan C island after Hanh died. A Cay-bi hat, a work uniform, a nail clipper, a graduation certificate, a pair of black shoes, a photo of his wife and children taken before they left for the island. Dung looked up at the altar to hide her tears: "After Hanh died, my mother and I were heartbroken. When he was alive, he was a very thoughtful and simple person. He always gave in to his wife and children. The money to build this house was mainly borrowed from his father's family and comrades and has not been paid off yet."

Leaving Dung’s house, it was almost dark. We went to the pier of Base 696 - the place where the body of martyr Hanh was brought back from Toc Tan C island after 3 days of heroic sacrifice. The naval ships were waiting for the order to launch. The image of martyr Phan Van Hanh holding a gun and standing guard outside Toc Tan C island - Truong Sa came back to me./.