(Baonghean.vn) - During the protracted resistance war against the US, Nghe An province contributed thousands of brave sons and daughters to every battlefield. According to statistics, the province has 62 individuals who were honorably awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces during the anti-American war. Their fighting lives are the most beautiful epics of unwavering determination to win and fervent patriotism. Here are a few exemplary figures:
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| Over a period of six years and 1,089 working days, this messenger carried more than 55 tons of goods on his back and traveled a total distance of 41,025 km, equivalent to circling the Earth along the equator... These are the record-breaking figures achieved by Colonel Nguyen Viet Sinh (born in 1940, Xuan Hoa commune, Nam Dan district), a Hero of the People's Armed Forces. He was the first hero of the Truong Son army at that time and was honored with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in January 1967. |
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| Colonel Tran Huu Bao (from Hien Son commune, Do Luong district) is famous for his battle with Squad 3 at Hill 595 (Khe Sanh, Quang Tri). For 45 days, the entire squad lacked the means to bathe and endured meager meals, going hungry for many days due to supply disruptions. The most brutal period was the two days of direct combat, with intense enemy fire, bombs exploding everywhere, and life and death hanging in the balance. Many comrades were killed. Of the five-man squad, four were wounded or killed, leaving only Nguyen Huu Bao to continue firing back against the attacks until 8 PM. According to the post-battle summary, with his resourcefulness and courage, and with the support of 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm mortars from the battalion and regiment stationed at the foot of the hill, the entire squad killed 208 American soldiers, with Tran Huu Bao alone killing 78. In August 1970, Colonel Tran Huu Bao was honorably awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces. |
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| Hero of the People's Armed Forces Ho Thi Thu Hien (born in 1947, from Hung Phu commune, Hung Nguyen district) volunteered to join the Youth Volunteer Force at the age of 18. Three years later, she officially joined Company 202 - N241, P31 of the Nghe An Youth Volunteer Force, holding the position of Company Commander. In mid-1969, Company 202 received orders to march into the Binh-Tri-Thien battlefield to transport food, medicine, weapons and ammunition, and to carry wounded soldiers to the rear. Amidst the enemy's bullets and bombs, this female Youth Volunteer always displayed unwavering courage, volunteering three times to join the suicide squad. Before leaving, Ho Thi Thu Hien calmly attended her own funeral, bravely facing the line between life and death because "as long as the road is not open, I will not hesitate to shed my blood and bones." Ho Thi Thu Hien was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in 2007. |
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| Colonel Nguyen Dinh Kiep, Hero of the People's Armed Forces (from Nghi Thu, Cua Lo town) - former Deputy Chief of Staff of the 3rd Army Corps, who contributed to building three units into heroic units during the resistance war against the US, and was the commander of one of the assault teams that captured Tan Son Nhat airport and the General Staff Headquarters of the puppet regime on April 30, 1975. 41 years after that historic moment, he is still deeply moved: “The people excitedly rushed out into the streets, waving flags and flowers to welcome the liberation army. When we saw the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam flying throughout the streets of Saigon, not only I but many of my comrades and the people were overwhelmed with happiness.” Colonel Nguyen Dinh Kiep was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces on September 12, 1975. |
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| Colonel Nguyen Cong Thuan, a Hero of the People's Armed Forces (from Phuc Son commune, Anh Son district), is famous for his role in the battle on the Vietnam-China border on February 17, 1979. With his combat record of eliminating 30 enemy soldiers and one tank, he was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces in December 1979. Speaking about the battle of February 17, 1979, Colonel Nguyen Cong Thuan affirmed: "This is our land and territory; we must defend it at all costs, even if it means sacrificing our lives and blood to preserve the independence and freedom of our country!" |
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| When the American imperialists launched their war of destruction, Nguyen Thi Hanh was the Deputy Head of the Internal Affairs Committee – also the Head of the People's Protection Committee of Ward III – directly in charge of Cong Hoa hamlet, Vinh Tan commune, Vinh City. There was a large food reserve there, transported from the North to be stockpiled to supply the Southern battlefield; therefore, it was the location most heavily attacked by the American forces. With her K44 rifle, Nguyen Thi Hanh was like a shuttle, present at every battlefield. Wherever bombs exploded, she rushed to help the militia and self-defense forces to overcome the consequences, provide first aid, and fill bomb craters… Recalling those days, the heroine resolutely stated: “In every era, the country needs brave sons and daughters. Brave in fighting, in labor, and in building the homeland!” Nguyen Thi Hanh was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by President Ton Duc Thang on September 3, 1973. |
Phuong Chi - Hong Toai
