Commemoration of the suicide soldier who was awarded Uncle Ho's badge twice

(Baonghean.vn) – In the days of gratitude in July, veteran Nguyen Trong Tai (72 years old,Hamlet 17, Dien Phu Commune, Dien Chau District) was filled with emotion and pride remembering the two times receiving the noble badge of Uncle Ho.

In a small house at the end of the village, veteran Nguyen Trong Tai lives alone in his old age. His wife suddenly passed away a few years ago, his children have their own families, some are busy working, so he is alone. Looking out into the distance, he recalls the unforgettable memories of the years on the battlefield.

War veteran Nguyen Trong Tai with battlefield relics.

In May 1965, he joined the Youth Volunteers, then he was sent to learn to drive a canoe in Hai Duong province to perform the task of clearing mines and opening channels on the river in preparation for the Mau Than campaign (1968). At that time, he was in the 66 Channel Exploitation Department (KTLL) of the Railway Transport Department.

After finishing the course with excellent results, he was one of the soldiers assigned by his superiors to be part of the suicide squad, driving canoes to clear mines in the Bung River area (Dien Chau district), Cam Bridge (Nghi Loc district) and many other waterways to open a route for our army and people to enter the South.

“At that time, important locations such as Bung River and Cam Bridge were places where the enemy dropped a lot of bombs and bullets to prevent our troops from sending reinforcements to the South. My teammates and I had to use canoes to rush onto the bombs to open a path, which was very dangerous. However, for the sake of the nation’s resistance, my teammates and I did not mind any difficulties or dangers,” said veteran Nguyen Trong Tai.

And among those 11 suicide missions, he and his teammates were thrown ashore or submerged by unexploded bombs, countless times... Thanks to his achievements in bomb disposal and river channel clearance to pave the way for our troops to send reinforcements to the southern battlefield, on May 15, 1969, he was sent by his superiors to Hanoi to report his achievements to Uncle Ho.

“When I received the news from my superiors that I was going to report my achievements to Uncle Ho, I was extremely happy. That night I could not sleep, just wishing for morning to come quickly so I could go see Uncle Ho and report my achievements to him” – the former suicide bomber emotionally recalled.

He still treasures and preserves the certificate of two noble badges of Uncle Ho.

He was excited to go to Hanoi to report his achievements to Uncle Ho. However, when he and everyone was at the Presidential Palace where Uncle Ho was resting, he received information from the guard: "Today Uncle's health is not good, so I will see you guys next time!" - Veteran Nguyen Trong Tai recounted. Although he did not get to meet Uncle Ho, on May 19, 1968, on his birthday, the brave suicide soldier was honored to receive from Uncle Ho the "Badge of Determination to Defeat the American Invaders" and the "Badge of Determination to Win the First Battle of August 5". That was the most sacred and noble memory in the life of veteran Nguyen Trong Tai.

Later, he transferred to the 68th Transport Department, tasked with transporting ammunition and weapons to the battlefield in preparation for the Mau Than campaign (1968). After a while, the unit was dissolved, he transferred to many other state units and then retired due to disability in 1978. Returning to his hometown, with the will of Uncle Ho's soldiers, he made efforts to increase production, revive the family economy, and actively participated in many sports and cultural movements of his commune. Every time he mentioned Uncle Ho and his noble badges, his eyes lit up with pride and emotion. That pride became the motivation for him to promote the exemplary character of a veteran, instructing his children and grandchildren to work and produce, contributing to the homeland.

Duc Chung