The moment of liberation through the memories of the first tank gunner to enter the Independence Palace

(Baonghean.vn) - HMore than 40 years have passed, but the moment the gate of the Independence Palace was knocked down by a tank, ending the Saigon puppet regime at noon on April 30, 1975, is still fresh in the memory of veteran Ngo Sy Nguyen - gunner number 1 on tank 390 - the first vehicle to enter the Independence Palace.

Gunner Ngo Sy Nguyen on tank 390 at Independence Palace on April 30, 1975. Photo taken from archives.

When he was only 19 years old, Ngo Sy Nguyen was recruited into the Armored Corps. In December 1971, he officially joined the 390 tank. Participating in the liberation of Hue, Da Nang, and then the liberation of Saigon on April 30, he achieved many feats, shooting down dozens of enemy tanks and armored vehicles.

Although he has lived in the capital Hanoi for decades, every time the country celebrates the April 30 victory, veteran Ngo Sy Nguyen, gunner number 1 on tank 390, returns to his hometown in Dien Ky commune, Dien Chau district, Nghe An. And each time, his gift to everyone is emotional stories about the day the country was reunited.

Veteran Ngo Sy Nguyen visits his comrades and tells stories about the liberation day. Photo: Mai Giang.

That day, overcoming many dangerous bullets, close to death, burning many tanks and armored vehicles, destroying the defense line, tank 390 of Company 4 advanced straight into Saigon on April 30.

Mr. Ngo Sy Nguyen recounted: We advanced through Dong Nai Bridge, Rach Chiec Bridge, Thi Nghe Bridge into Saigon, it was very fierce, the battalion commander sacrificed himself right there on the tank tower, our tanks were fiercely resisted by the enemy. Suddenly, a tank from the bridge rushed over, with an accurate bullet I shot and burned right at the bridgehead. After crossing the bridge, when we reached Hang Xanh intersection, the enemy counterattacked, I aimed and destroyed 2 of the enemy's M113 armored vehicles and we went out to the road to destroy the enemy's forces.

Under the midday sun of Saigon, the tank column continued to move forward, ahead we saw a very large house, on the left was Bui Quang Than's tank 843. When approaching the main gate, Mr. Than's tank suddenly turned to the side gate, tank 390 rushed up and crashed the main gate. Mr. Bui Quang Than jumped down following tank 390 to the palace to hang the flag. Vu Dang Toan and I held AKs and entered the palace, I guarded Duong Van Minh's cabinet room from beginning to end. When Mr. Bui Van Tung arrived, Duong Van Minh greeted us and told us to wait for them early to hand over. At this time, Mr. Bui Van Tung declared that they had nothing left to hand over and had to surrender unconditionally. Bui Van Tung was the one who drafted the surrender statement for Duong Van Minh to read on the radio. He was also the one who, on behalf of the liberation army, declared to the world that Saigon - Gia Dinh city was completely liberated and our people were building a new life.

Along with the honor of witnessing the fall of the puppet government, the jubilant atmosphere of the Saigon people welcoming the liberation army is still fresh in his memory. The former tank soldier continued to share: At that time, there were many vehicles parked inside and outside the Independence Palace. The people had slogans such as the Saigon - Gia Dinh Consultative Association cheers the liberation army; the Artists' Association cheers the liberation army...

Just half an hour after the Duong Van Minh government surrendered, the people of Saigon waved red flags, everywhere the people went, flags filled the city.

Teachers and students of Dien Hai Secondary School interacted and took souvenir photos with veteran Ngo Sy Nguyen. Photo: Mai Giang.

History is proud of the 390 tank soldiers and the land of Dien Chau, Nghe An is proud of having given birth to the brave soldier Ngo Sy Nguyen. Although his life was full of worries, he always maintained the qualities of a soldier of Uncle Ho's army, simple and close.

More than 40 years have passed, the gunner on tank 390 years ago has now become a grandfather, a father in a happy family. However, veteran Ngo Sy Nguyen has not rested, he is still diligently working on the stories of the glorious past. So that today's young generation, vows to bring enthusiasm and strength to build and protect the land that the previous generation shed so much blood to preserve.

Mai Giang