Mr. Hung could not help but be moved when he met his comrades in arms again. 50 years since the spring of 1975, many of his comrades have returned to their ancestors, others are too old to attend. Some of the organizers had to help them up the steps, or help them into the hall in wheelchairs.

He was surprised when the representative of the Traditional Liaison Committee introduced that the meeting also included commando soldiers who were assigned to guide and fight with the brigade in the final battle at the gateway to Saigon. After listening attentively to the list, he sighed in disappointment. The person he had been looking for all these years was not present…

At that time, the special forces carried out the mission of capturing and holding bridges and bases blocking the gateway to Saigon. Opening and protecting the northern gate of Tan Son Nhat airport. Attacking and capturing many important enemy targets...

One of the fierce battles before the day of total victory was the attack on Phu Lam Radar Base, piercing the "eye of the gods" of the Saigon army, protecting the attack of Group 232 into the city. Destroying the radar station to cut off communication and paralyze the enemy's combat command system was assigned by the Campaign Command to coordinate with the city commandos to carry out.

The enemy deployed heavy firepower and infantry on this target and guarded it carefully. The attack spearhead that Mr. Hung's unit was in charge of was reinforced by a female commando guide. Upon hearing her code name X9, the young soldiers chattered away:

- In this battle we will definitely liberate Saigon, you don't need to use an alias anymore.

The girl was very young, only about twenty years old, wearing a traditional Vietnamese outfit, a Southern Vietnamese scarf draped over her shoulder. A carbine and several magazines were slung across her body, making her look quite strong.

- Yes! My name is Hien.

Mr. Hung signaled the soldiers to be quiet, tactfully:

- What province are you from?

- I'm from Saigon, my parents live next door to Bay Hien crossroads.

After reconnaissance on the field, the command decided on a plan to break through the fence and use the signal lights on the radio tower as a reference to attack and destroy the equipment and machinery systems. The political commissar and Hien were outside, ready to detonate explosives so that if the gunfire inside would be detonated, they could open the way out.

Before entering this battle, 20 officers and soldiers who took on the pioneering role were given a live memorial service by the unit. On the night of April 17 to the morning of April 18, 1975. Approaching the central area, our troops used B40, B41, AK, and mortars to simultaneously fire all their ammunition at the target.

Fire broke out, the enemy ammunition depot exploded violently. In some other directions, due to fierce enemy resistance, the soldiers did not go deep inside but also destroyed many enemy equipment and transmitters, paralyzing their activities.

Implementing a flexible combat plan, the brigade organized a force to surround and wear down the enemy's forces, while the remaining force penetrated deep to destroy bases along the national highway. Gathering at the position waiting to launch, thinking that Hien was not proficient in special forces tactics, the unit assigned her to provide support outside the perimeter, but she refused. Her intelligence and bravery made everyone admire her.

At the liberated base, she took off her scarf and brushed the strands of hair from her forehead:

- The day you left, your mother put this scarf on you and reminded you to be careful in the wind. She must be very worried about you now.

- Our army has approached the city - Mr. Hung looked at Hien happily: - The day you return to your mother will be soon.

The soldiers asked about his family, Hien was silent, his eyes looking far away:

- My father was a journalist, working for our side. After Tet Mau Than, he was exposed, the revolution retreated to the base. My father worked in the security area, occasionally he secretly entered the city.

Knowing that Hien was not married, the soldiers winked and joked:

- Hien "finalized" a guy, on the day of liberation, bring the groom home to meet your parents, okay?

On April 25, the brigade commander disseminated the secret attack order of the Campaign Command and ordered a second attack on Phu Lam Radar Base, responsible for opening and keeping the door open to welcome our army to liberate Saigon. Determining that this was the last battle in the resistance war against the US to save the country, all officers and soldiers entered the battle with the spirit of "one day equals thirty years".

The Special Forces wore uniforms, no camouflage was needed. Each man had two ammunition bases prepared. The liberation flag was carried and mounted on the staff.

On the evening of April 28, 1975, Mr. Hung's unit approached the target and was cutting the barbed wire fence when the enemy discovered them and opened fire, killing 7 soldiers. One comrade jumped up and fired an AK to support his comrades in placing explosives to open the door.

The explosive created a powerful explosion, breaking open the iron door and part of the wall on both sides. However, the enemy's defense system was too strong, our army could not attack, and was forced to close the gate, call in reinforcements to fire artillery inside and use firepower aimed directly at the center of the radar station.

During the day and night of continuous attacks, many soldiers were killed and wounded, but we still could not take the base. During one sortie, Mr. Hung was shot through the shoulder. There was a lot of blood and not enough bandages, so Hien removed the bandana tied around him to continue fighting.

At 9:00 a.m. on April 30, 1975, a squad of 20 soldiers attacked the main gate, destroying the defense position, creating an opportunity for their comrades to charge in. When the liberation flag was flying over the base, Mr. Hung was exhausted and woke up at the forward medical station.

During the days when he was recovering from his injuries and preparing to go North, in the middle of liberated Saigon, he tried to ask around but no one knew the unit's code. He also went to the Bay Hien intersection, but when he mentioned her name, everyone shook their heads.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Hung walked up to the delegates' table and asked about a girl named Hien, alias X9. Hearing Mr. Hung tell about his fight at Phu Lam base, the former commando quickly shook his hand:

- The last time she visited the special forces brigade, she was very happy to see a scarf with her name on it given to her by a soldier and kept in the tradition room. She was supposed to come today, but suddenly fell ill yesterday afternoon. You are…

- I am the one she used the bandage to cover the wound…!

*

Ms. Hien is now an old woman. She is being cared for at home by medical staff and her children and grandchildren. Her old comrade in the special forces introduced Mr. Hung to visit her, her face lit up with joy. She held his hand, tears welling up in her eyes:

- Every battle has its casualties, every victory has the blood and bones of comrades. You are just lucky to be alive…!

Mr. Hung said softly:

- Our teammates, every time they receive a mission, always have faith in victory, are not afraid of hardship and sacrifice, and enter the battle with a spirit of determination.

Half a century has passed, but the echoes of the great victory of Spring 1975 still resound heroically. In Mr. Hung's mind, the scarf on the shoulder of the female commando floats in the memory.