Delegates attended the Victory Memorial Ceremony of the first battle on August 2 and 5, 1964 at Cua Luc, Quang Ninh.

On the morning of August 1, at Cua Luc sea area (Bai Chay ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province), the Navy and Quang Ninh province held a memorial ceremony for heroic martyrs and people who fought bravely and sacrificed in the battles on August 2 and 5, 1964.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Political Commissar of the Navy, chaired the ceremony. Also attending the ceremony were Nguyen Xuan Ky, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee; Cao Tuong Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, People's Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Ninh Province; delegates representing the Navy Command, Border Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, Military Region 3, Air Defense - Air Force Service; delegates of veterans, heroes of the People's Armed Forces and a large number of local youth union members and cadres attending the ceremony.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Party Secretary and Political Commissar of the Navy, offered incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs. (Source: Navy)

60 years ago, in order to save the failure of the "Special War" strategy, the US imperialists carried out air and naval sabotage against the North to prevent support from the great Northern rear base for the Southern front line, in order to weaken the fighting spirit and determination of our army and people to liberate the South.

Faced with the actions of the US imperialists, the Vietnam People's Navy and the people of the North proactively, creatively, intelligently, and courageously chased away the destroyer Madox and shot down 8 planes, damaging many others. The victory in the first battle on August 2 and 5, 1964 demonstrated the political and spiritual strength of the entire nation; the will to dare to fight, to be determined to fight, and to know how to fight and win of the Navy and the people of the North.

In that battle, many of our officers, soldiers and people heroically fell and were wounded. Among them, 78 officers and soldiers of the Navy heroically sacrificed their lives. Their blood soaked and blended into every inch of the island, every stretch of the sacred sea of ​​the Fatherland, beautifying the glorious flag of the Party and the Fatherland, brightening the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", brightening the glorious history of the heroic Vietnam People's Army. They are shining examples of revolutionary heroism, selfless sacrifice for the Fatherland and the people.

Madox 731 ship of the US 7th Fleet violated Vietnam's waters in August 1964. (Source: VNA)

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, delegates reviewed the achievements of previous generations, remembered and expressed their infinite gratitude, and at the same time clearly recognized their great responsibility in the current cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

In his tribute to the heroic martyrs, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Political Commissar of the Navy, affirmed that the blood and bones of the heroic martyrs who were shed for the cause of national liberation have contributed to the increasingly rich and beautiful seas and islands of the Fatherland. The spirit of "dare to fight, determined to fight and know how to fight and win" of the first victory has spread, permeated deeply and become an invaluable spiritual support for the Navy and the people and army of the whole country in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

In the context of the world and regional situation continuing to develop in a complex and unpredictable manner, the task of protecting sea and island sovereignty has placed new and urgent requirements on the Navy.

In that situation, the Navy must thoroughly grasp the Resolutions and directives of the Party, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense, promote the glorious tradition of the Army and the Navy, the tradition of winning the first battle, unite and coordinate, constantly improve the overall quality, combat readiness and combat strength, excellently fulfill the task of being the core to firmly protect the sovereignty of the sea, islands and the sacred continental shelf of the Fatherland, worthy of the trust and love of the Party, State, Army and People.