Mr. Nguyen Thanh Bao (sitting in the middle) recalls heroic memories of the period of resistance war against America to save the country.

Meeting and talking with People's Armed Forces Hero Pham Minh Giam, former soldier of Special Forces Company 24, Regiment 866 (Division 31, Corps 3), currently living in Phuong Lam Ward (Hoa Binh City) in April, listening to him talk about memories of the war, we could not help but be moved and proud. The years of joining the army to fight the Americans on the battlefield of Laos are always engraved in his memory.

After 9 months of enlistment and special forces training, in April 1971, he and his unit marched to battlefield C (Laos) to contribute to international missions. At that time, rookie Pham Minh Giam was admitted to Special Forces Company C242866, the Vietnamese volunteer army at the Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang front. This was also the unit where he fought and matured during his years as a Vietnamese volunteer soldier in Laos.

Recalling the heroic days more than 50 years ago, Mr. Pham Minh Giam confided: In 1972, during the "Z" Campaign (Plain of Jars - Xieng Khouang Campaign), the 24th Special Forces Company, Regiment 866 (Division 31, Corps 3) was assigned the important task of penetrating deep and destroying the 1433 high point. This was a strong defensive stronghold in the cluster of inter-connected defensive strongholds protecting the Loong Cheng base - the headquarters of the Vang Pao special forces and the enemy's Military Region 2 Command. This was an extremely fierce battle, my teammates and I fought side by side bravely, sacrificing our lives to contribute to today.

At the end of the Z campaign, Platoon Leader Pham Minh Giam was awarded the First Class Military Exploit Medal (1972), the Distinguished American Fighter (1972), the Army's Emulation Fighter (1972), the Second Class American Fighter (1973), the Third Class Resistance Medal, the Third Class Liberation Medal, the Third Class Glorious Fighter Medal... His years of fighting are glorious history, demonstrating the special solidarity, loyalty, and affection between the Vietnamese and Lao peoples. The title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces that he was awarded by the President is a priceless recognition of his exceptionally outstanding feats and achievements in the resistance war against the Americans to save the country and the proud years of being a loyal soldier.

Also a veteran of the resistance war against the US, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Bao in Chi Ne town (Lac Thuy) joined the army in 1965 and was assigned to Regiment 174, Division 36. Now, despite his great age, he still remembers clearly the resounding victories of the past. In August 1967, Mr. Bao and his comrades participated in the Dak To campaign, an ambush and attack at Hill 875, causing heavy losses to the US 173rd Airborne Brigade, shocking the entire US force in the Central Highlands. During the general offensive and uprising in the Spring of Mau Than 1968, he participated in the capture and control of Tan Canh town on the night of the first day of Tet. With his great achievements, Mr. Bao received many certificates of merit, certificates of merit, and medals. In particular, he was awarded the title "Brave American Destroyer" 9 times. This is the honor and pride of the brave soldier, ready to fight and sacrifice for the Fatherland.

Life in the early years of liberation was full of hardships and difficulties, and with the injuries of the war, Mr. Bao and his family worked hard to develop the economy and raise their children to adulthood. As those who directly fought and devoted their youth and blood to the independence and freedom of the country, Mr. Bao shared: Today's young generation must always be proud and cherish the past, clearly aware of the value of a peaceful life. From there, promote patriotism, diligence, study hard and practice to be worthy of the revolutionary cause of their ancestors.

These days, memories of the old battlefield are recalled emotionally by Mr. Giam, Mr. Bao and many other veterans. Those heroic stories are also the foundation for educating the traditions of children and grandchildren, the younger generation following in their fathers’ footsteps in the cause of protecting and building the Fatherland, the homeland to become more and more beautiful.

Hoang Duong

Source: https://baohoabinh.com.vn/274/200700/Ven-nguyen-ky-uc-cua-nhung-nguoi-linh-cuu.htm