Those who are "barefoot but have the will of steel"...

(Baonghean) - During the war against the US for national liberation, the militia and self-defense forces of Nghe An closely coordinated with other forces to shoot down 46 aircraft of various types; contributing to sinking and burning 36 enemy warships... Upholding the heroic tradition, today's militia and self-defense forces always maintain a high level of vigilance, readiness for combat, and actively train to keep the homeland peaceful and prosperous...

Mr. Lu Van An (center) recounts his memories of shooting down a US HU16 aircraft in 1967. Photo: CN

During the war against the US, the militia of Thong Thu commune (Que Phong district) was the first unit in western Nghe An province to shoot down an American plane. Mr. Lu Van An, 85 years old, then the deputy squad leader of the Thong Thu self-defense militia, proudly recounted: “To protect our homeland, the Thong Thu commune militia was established very early. My militia platoon in Loc village had 14 people, divided into two shifts on duty on the anti-aircraft hill. One day in June 1967, my squad was on duty when we saw an American plane coming from the west, sneaking through the mountain pass and infiltrating the interior. In a favorable position, seven of us aimed and fired, and I was the one who fired the first shot. The American plane was hit, smoke billowed, and crashed into the Huoi Tang area in Muong Piet village, Thong Thu commune. Shooting down the American plane brought great joy to the soldiers and people of the commune because this victory reduced casualties among our people.”

For the people's struggle, the militia and guerrillas of Thong Thu commune always strived to fulfill their assigned tasks well, worthy of the trust of the Party and the support, nurturing, and protection of the people. Besides the resounding victory of "shooting down the 996th American plane in the North," during the war against the US, the militia of Thong Thu commune also achieved many other silent victories such as digging more than 200 A-shaped bunkers, hundreds of individual foxholes, and more than 2km of trenches. In 1976, the militia and guerrillas of Thong Thu commune were awarded the prestigious title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.

According to Mr. Sam Van Ha, Commander of the Military Command of Thong Thu Commune: Continuing that tradition, in recent years, the militia of Thong Thu Commune has always been a vanguard force in maintaining security and order in the border region, regularly coordinating with border guards to protect the border line, working with the police force to dismantle drug hotspots, cooperating with forest rangers to protect forests, and effectively carrying out recruitment tasks and local tasks such as flood and storm prevention, and search and rescue.

Speaking about their local militia, the people of Thong Thu commune all expressed pride and deep trust in them. Mr. Luong Van Tuan from Muong Piet village gratefully shared: "During the historic flood of August 2012, around 4 a.m., my family was sleeping when a flash flood swept away our entire house. My wife, children, and I only managed to cling to the support stakes and trees around us. Luckily, in that moment of danger, the militia arrived and rescued us in time. We are very grateful to the militia of our commune…”

While in mountainous areas the militia plays a crucial role in maintaining peace in the border regions, in coastal areas we see the shining examples of heroic qualities of the past and the "Dien Hong" spirit of defending our homeland's seas today... Mr. Ngo Sy Ai, from Dong Trai village, Dien Ky commune, Dien Chau district, led us to Cau Bung bridge and recounted the historic battle 50 years ago...

On the morning of April 3, 1965, brothers Ngo Guom and Ngo Sy Ai were ordered to the district military headquarters to receive combat weapons, including one machine gun and two magazines. Just as they arrived at Cau Bung, they suddenly heard the roar of enemy aircraft – two RF 101 bombers coming from the sea. “At that moment, one of the two planes dived and dropped its bombs. Immediately, I gave the magazine to Guom and knelt down. Guom loaded the ammunition and rested the gun on my shoulder. I held the gun while observing and guiding Guom in firing. After the first pull of the trigger with three bullets, my ears were ringing. In the second burst, one plane was hit. After that, we learned that the RF 101 had crashed in the Do Luong district area.” With his clenched fists, stern face, and fiery eyes as he described the scene, Mr. Ai helped us understand more about the courage of the people and soldiers who used rifles as gun emplacements and their readiness to sacrifice themselves that year.

Mr. Bui Sy Hau recounted to a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper his memories of attacking enemy warships in the Gulf of Tonkin.

"A heart of gold and an iron will," "barefoot and unwavering determination"—these are the qualities that enabled the militia to achieve resounding victories. In the golden pages of the nation's and province's history, the heroic deeds of the Quỳnh Long commune's maritime militia in Quỳnh Lưu district—shooting down two American warships and one seaplane, and, in coordination with other units, shooting down two aircraft and destroying four other warships—will forever be remembered. Mr. Bùi Sỹ Hậu, a 76-year-old former squad leader of the Quỳnh Long commune's maritime militia, shared: "Before setting sail, all of us militiamen were given a 'living funeral' ceremony. We knew we would die, but we still went because for us and many others, the sea was life itself. It wasn't just about food and clothing. It was our homeland, our sea and sky. When the enemy came to steal, we had to fight back..."

In that battle, the casualties among the Quỳnh Long militia were heavy; all the ships were set ablaze by the enemy, and many were wounded or killed. Mr. Bùi Sỹ Hậu, however, survived by clinging to a piece of wreckage. He was later captured. He still remembers one detail: when he was captured, they tortured him and asked, "Why did you dare engage in hand-to-hand combat with American ships on such a small, outdated vessel?" Mr. Hậu replied, "As long as the enemy is invading Vietnam, every citizen will fight the enemy at all times, in all places, and with everything they have."

The bravery and courage of the militia soldiers have written a legend about love for their homeland and country. This is the belief that today's generations will forever learn from and emulate. For everyone, the memory of a time when "Phong Dinh men plowed the fields by day and worked in the trenches by night / Phong Van mothers with steady hands plowed the fields / Picking green tea leaves to give to the artillerymen" is the belief and vitality that enabled Hung Dung (Vinh City) to rise up and bravely confront the enemy. Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan, from Tan Phuc block – a militia member from Lang Do who shot down a US F4 in 1968 – led us to the Dinh Trung revolutionary site to see the young men and women of the ward training for combat readiness with shooting, grenade throwing, and drill exercises. Ms. Dan shared: "Our militia platoon went on this mission with unwavering faith in protecting our homeland. The achievement of shooting down the plane is just one highlight that further enhances the qualities of the Red Village militia. In peacetime, those highlights are becoming even more vibrant."

Currently, the militia of Hung Dung ward has effectively upheld its revolutionary fighting tradition in the fight against poverty and backwardness, and in maintaining security and order. According to Mr. Nguyen Phuc Nghia, Commander of the Hung Dung Ward Military Command: "In recent years, the local defense and military work has always been prioritized and promoted in all aspects, including national defense education, building and training for combat readiness, mobilizing recruitment, and policies supporting the families of soldiers. Currently, the militia platoon is well-organized and fully staffed, including one female squad. Every year, the ward organizes comprehensive training in all areas, ensuring sufficient time for the force; as well as maintaining 24/7 combat readiness during holidays; and coordinating with neighborhood security guards to patrol and guard at night, ensuring security and order in the area."

Love for the homeland and the aspiration for peace are the goals and motivations that drive militia soldiers in particular, and the younger generation in general, to resolutely fulfill their duties excellently according to specific goals and targets, contributing to building strong and comprehensive agencies, units, and localities...

Chung - Nam - Tuan