Historic Moments and the Price of Peace

(Baonghean.vn) -Before the live broadcast of the art exchange program "Truong Bon Legend and Gratitude" held tonight, October 27 in Vinh City, I met journalist Thanh Phong - former reporter of Nghe An Newspaper - who was stationed at the key points of fierce American attacks on the legendary Highway 15A during the years of fighting against America to save the country, to hear him talk about his time as a war reporter.

During the years 1965 - 1968, as the head of the IT - Military - Transport Department, journalist Thanh Phong was assigned by the Editorial Board of Nghe An Newspaper to go undercover at some fierce bases on traffic routes such as Truong Bon, Ru Tret, Ben Thuy. He was assigned to reflect and report on the locations where the US had bombed and the brave fighting spirit of the Youth Volunteers during that fierce war period.

Journalist Thanh Phong in Truong Bon - Photo by Huu Nghia

In 1968, the American invaders frantically bombed in an attempt to cut off the traffic arteries on the North-South routes. When Ben Thuy Bridge was destroyed, "Route 1" was difficult to travel on, and Ben Thuy ferry also had difficulty moving, so most of the support for the South and the transportation of wounded soldiers from the South to the North had to go around Highway 15A, through My Son - Do Luong commune.

As a war correspondent, with a youthful, enthusiastic and brave spirit, he said: “At that time, because I was assigned to monitor the anti-aircraft missile sector and especially the Youth Volunteers, I was very close to units 333, 304, 317... During the years of fierce American bombing, there were times when I was undercover in Truong Bon for 5 days, 1 week”. Having closely followed and witnessed all the activities and working hours of the very young female youth volunteers, the journalist said: “The accommodation was very difficult, there were 2 rows of hammocks, so they gave up the upper row of hammocks to the guests, the girls slept in the lower row of hammocks, the water was flooded, the smell of mud rose up, but they still laughed, sang, and made themselves beautiful, very carefree. Thinking about that, I felt so sorry for them!”

On October 30, 1968, journalist Thanh Phong cycled from the Phong Toan evacuation point to Truong Bon to report on the atmosphere before the US stopped bombing. Being close to Vo Van Kiem - Squad Leader of Squad 301, the journalist stayed here. Because there was only one day left for the North Vietnam bombing cessation agreement to take effect, the US took advantage of the bombing until the last minute. Uncle Phong said: The newly built road had not yet become a road, but on the night of October 31, the telegram reported that 40 vehicles were transporting wounded soldiers from the Southern battlefield, and 80 vehicles were transporting supplies from the North to the South. All that night, the children were eager to work on the last day to complete their duty tomorrow. The US attacked so fiercely that the headlights were not turned on. Hien had the idea that each person would stand a distance apart and wear the newly issued winter-spring shirt. Each person would lead the vehicle through, the white shirt acting as a marker. When they reached a friend's location, they would hand the vehicle over to their friend and return to their old position to continue leading another vehicle... After finishing the job, at around 4-5 am, before they could get into the shelter, the Americans came back and dropped bombs again.

With his guts burning, Uncle Phong and the others from other units went to 317 the next morning. Here, the Youth Volunteers were lying in the ground, amidst the screams, the calls to their comrades, the heartbreaking cries of their comrades, of the remaining people. Only 5 people were found intact, the body parts of young girls in their late teens and early twenties, unknown to whom, were gathered into jars and buried in the ground of Truong Bon to form a common grave. The arms tied with handkerchiefs containing ration stamps, with the decision to go to school just tomorrow, the arms reaching out with so many dreams and ambitions of youth now lay in the ground.

Journalist Thanh Phong said: “Returning to Truong Bon today, when searching for the names on the tombstones of the children, I seem to recall the glorious time of my youth. Their faces still appear clearly in my mind with their giggles, with their brave and courageous spirit. We are grateful to the young girls - the young men and women of the Youth Volunteers who sacrificed their blood and bones to bring peace to our Fatherland...”.

Thanh Nga