Forever proud to be a naval soldier...

(Baonghean) - These two Navy commandos fought bravely, striking fear into the enemy and contributing to resounding victories. Returning to civilian life, memories of their time in the "fire and flowers" and the camaraderie they shared still shine brightly.

Stubborn prisoners of war on Phu Quoc Island

This year, Mr. Cao Ngoc Son (Trung Do Ward, Vinh City) turns 74. The lingering effects of war have left him with slow movements and constant headaches whenever the weather changes. This is because the body of this former Navy soldier still contains shrapnel and the scars of the beatings he received years ago. However, when asked about his days of fighting, he seems much healthier, his eyes shining with pride.

Mr. Cao Ngoc Son was born in Hung Thong commune (Hung Nguyen district), a rural area rich in patriotic and revolutionary traditions, and the birthplace of the late General Secretary Le Hong Phong.

Mr. Cao Ngoc Son and his eldest daughter, Cao Thi Huong.

Growing up, Cao Ngoc Son actively participated in the Youth Union and Children's Union, becoming one of the "leaders" of the youth movement in his locality. In 1964, as the confrontation with the American imperialists entered a fierce phase, the young man from Thong Lang volunteered to enlist and was selected for a naval special forces unit. After nearly two years of arduous training, enduring hardships in the rear of North Vietnam, his unit was deployed to fight on battlefields throughout South Vietnam. Cao Ngoc Son himself participated in battles at Cua Viet (Quang Tri) and the coastal areas of Quang Nam - Da Nang. During those years fighting in this war-torn land, he and his comrades attacked and blew up enemy weapons depots and ships, striking terror into their hearts. Each battle was a memory, filled with joy but also sadness. Joy came from completing the mission and returning safely with his comrades. It was disheartening when the plan failed, was discovered by the enemy, and some comrades were killed or wounded.

Nearly 50 years have passed, but the former Navy commando still remembers the names and hometowns of his comrades who fought alongside him, and vividly recalls each fierce battle where the line between life and death was incredibly thin. The memory of the battle at the Lien Chieu fuel depot (Da Nang) in 1969 still appears before his eyes as if it were just yesterday or the day before, because it was there that he deeply understood the meaning of camaraderie and fellowship.

That day, Mr. Son and two comrades were assigned by their superiors to infiltrate and blow up the enemy's fuel depot in Lien Chieu, preventing the enemy from supplying fuel to the battlefields. They went out to sea on a fisherman's boat, then dived back to shore, heading towards the depot. The enemy's defenses were extremely tight, requiring them to pass through many layers of barbed wire fences, not to mention numerous guard posts. Approaching the target was extremely difficult, but unfortunately, they were discovered and opened fire. Mr. Son went first, and immediately his two comrades, Le Xuan Chat and Truong Van Luy, stepped forward to "take the bullets" and push him back. His comrade fell without a word of explanation or last words, and Cao Ngoc Son was also wounded by enemy fire and fainted. When he woke up, he knew he was in an enemy hospital, where they were trying to lure him with valuable information. But from the beginning, this soldier was determined to remain loyal to his comrades, his country, and its people. From then on, he was transferred from one prison to another, finally ending up in Phu Quoc Prison, considered a "hell on earth." There, the enemy classified him as a stubborn prisoner and subjected him to all kinds of torture, beatings, and confinement in a "tiger cage" in an attempt to break the will of the communist prisoner. But, with his hardened will and forged character, the prisoner did not utter a single word.

The Paris Agreement was signed.27/1/1973Cao Ngoc Son was released and sent to the North for recuperation. At the 595th Rehabilitation Center, the wounded soldier met nurse Nguyen Thi Dien (born in 1945), from Cam Xuyen (Ha Tinh province). Through daily interaction, they developed affection for each other, fell in love, and decided to get married. On a day at the end of 1973, their wedding was quite simple, with just a few packets of cakes and some green tea, but it was incredibly warm and happy. Mrs. Dien had previously served in the Youth Volunteer Force in the Truong Son mountains, then transferred to the 559th Regiment, was sent to study to become a military medical officer, and returned to work as a nurse at the 595th Regiment. In early 1975, more than a year after their wedding, Mrs. Dien gave birth to their first daughter, named Cao Thi Huong. Later, they had two more sons, all of whom were well-behaved, diligent, and successful. Mr. and Mrs. Son chose Vinh City as their retirement home because, according to him, it is a very peaceful place – at the foot of Quyet Mountain, beside the Lam River – and not far from their hometown of Thong Lang.

During holidays and festivals, Mr. Cao Ngoc Son often sets up an altar in the courtyard to offer incense and prayers for his two comrades who fell in the battle at the Lien Chieu fuel depot years ago. According to him, they sacrificed their lives so that he could live and have the opportunity to return to his homeland and family. He doesn't know if the remains of his two comrades have been recovered by their unit and families, or if the enemy threw them into the sea. This has been a nagging concern for the former Navy commando for decades.

Mr. Son shared: “As a special forces soldier, returning from the battlefield was a great fortune. Now, I am fulfilled as my children have taken me to revisit Phu Quoc prison and the old battlefield where the battle at Lien Chieu fuel depot took place. My children have understood the losses, sacrifices, and indomitable spirit of the previous generation and cherish these days even more.”

The people who liberated Truong Sa

In Hamlet 4, Nghi Tien Commune (Nghi Loc District), there lives a man alone in a small house. Few know that this soldier has overcome everyday hardships with pride as a Navy commando, achieving resounding victories alongside his comrades, and most notably, he had the honor of being part of the force that sailed across the sea to liberate the Truong Sa Islands. He is veteran Tran Cong Don.

Mr. Tran Cong Don (center) proudly serves as a naval commando.

Born and raised in a coastal village, Trần Công Đôn was a skilled swimmer, accustomed to the rough seas, and possessed a tall stature, leading to his selection for the 126th Naval Special Forces Unit. After months of arduous training, spending his days immersed in water, mud, and scorching sand, the young soldier was assigned to Company 1 (Battalion 1) and advanced directly to the Quảng-Đà front to participate in combat. During the Huế-Đà Nẵng campaign, Trần Công Đôn's unit was tasked with liberating the Sơn Trà peninsula. Fierce battles ensued, with both sides fighting for every inch of trench, every road, and every street corner. Faced with the momentum and fighting strength of our army, the enemy's defensive lines successively fell and crumbled, forcing the enemy to surrender or flee in disarray. The unit quickly gained control of the battlefield and successfully liberated the Sơn Trà peninsula.

Veteran Tran Cong Don recounted: “While on duty in Son Tra, at around 8:30 PM on that day13/4/1975"Our Company 1 received orders from our superiors to urgently set out to liberate the Spratly Islands. That night, our company, commanded by Comrade Mai Năng (later a Major General and Commander of the Special Forces), boarded three ships of the 125th Regiment and headed straight to the frontline waters of our Fatherland with high spirits and determination." The ships of the 125th Regiment were disguised as fishing boats with all kinds of fishing gear, and international flags were flown on top. The soldiers and weapons were positioned in the ship's hold, ensuring absolute secrecy. The rough seas caused the ships to rock and sway, but the special forces soldiers clung tightly to the hold. Facing hardship and danger, the hearts of the soldiers beat in unison with the sea, their will directed towards the sacred territory of their Fatherland.

After about a day and two nights at sea, the ships carrying the special forces soldiers reached the Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands. Ahead, Song Tu Tay Island was very close, and Tran Cong Don and his comrades' mission was to land and liberate the island. Stepping out of the ship's hold, the soldiers boarded rubber boats (three people per boat) and swam towards the island. When they were about 50 meters from the island, they received orders to wade ashore and open fire. From within their fortifications, the enemy returned fire fiercely, countless red bullets tearing through the night sky. Thoroughly trained to fight in all conditions and circumstances, and possessing extensive combat experience, the naval special forces soldiers quickly caused panic among the enemy. After about an hour of fighting, Tran Cong Don and his comrades had secured Song Tu Tay Island, their first mission successfully accomplished. At that moment, the young soldier realized that the sunrise was casting a brilliant red glow on the undulating blue and white waves of the vast ocean...

After liberating Song Tu Tay Island, the unit continued to liberate Son Ca, Sinh Ton, Nam Yet, and Truong Sa Lon islands. At this point, the enemy was truly panicked and quickly surrendered or retreated before our troops advanced onto the islands. During the days of combat and takeover missions in Truong Sa, upon hearing the news that our troops had entered Saigon, the South was completely liberated, and the country was unified, the special forces soldiers cheered, embraced each other, their hearts filled with emotion and pride...

In 1978, Mr. Tran Cong Don was discharged from the army, returned to his hometown, and married Ms. Phan Thi Ve. Ms. Ve, originally from Thanh Hoa province, was a medical soldier at Supply Depot 12 (Unit 559). They met and fell in love while he was training in the North, then went to the battlefield together and lost contact. After the war ended, they found each other again and got married. During her youth in the Truong Son mountains, Ms. Ve was exposed to Agent Orange, which weakened her health; she gave birth to five children but only survived two. She passed away five years ago, and her two daughters have since married. Now, Mr. Don lives alone in his small house. The former special forces soldier remains diligent in his farming and social work. Mr. Don is currently the head of the Veterans' Association in Hamlet 4. He is always respected by the members and neighbors, who share his difficulties in daily life.

Cong Kien