The scarf of memories

Mr. Hung was deeply moved to be reunited with his comrades. Fifty years had passed since the Spring of 1975, and many of his fellow soldiers had passed away, while others were too old to attend. The organizers had to help some up the steps or assist them in wheelchairs into the hall.

He was surprised when the representative of the Traditional Liaison Committee introduced the meeting to include commando soldiers who had been assigned to guide and fight alongside 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 searching for all these years was not there…

In those days, the special forces carried out missions to capture and hold bridges and bases guarding the gateways to Saigon. They also opened and protected the northern gateway to Tan Son Nhat airport, and attacked and seized many important enemy targets…

One of the fiercest battles leading up to the final victory was the attack on the Phu Lam Radar Base, piercing the "eye" of the Saigon army and protecting the advance of the 232nd Regiment into the city. Destroying the radar station to cut off communications and paralyze the enemy's operational command system was a task assigned by the Campaign Command to special forces in coordination with urban guerrilla units.

This target was heavily fortified by the enemy with dense firepower and infantry, and heavily guarded. The assault force led by Hung's unit was reinforced by a female commando guide. As soon as they heard her codename, X9, the young soldiers immediately became eager:

- We will definitely liberate Saigon in this battle; you don't need to use a pseudonym anymore.

The girl was very young, only about twenty years old, wearing a traditional Vietnamese blouse and trousers, with a checkered scarf draped loosely over her shoulder. A carbine rifle and several magazines were slung across her body; she looked quite sturdy.

Yes! My name is Hien.

Mr. Hung subtly signaled the soldiers to be quiet:

- Which province are you from?

- I'm from Saigon, my parents live next door at the Bay Hien intersection.

After reconnaissance, the command decided on a plan to breach the fence, using the signal lights on the transmission tower as a reference point to attack and destroy the equipment and machinery. The political commissar and Hien were outside, ready to detonate explosives so that when gunfire erupted from inside, they could detonate them to create a path for escape.

Before entering this battle, 20 officers and soldiers who were assigned to the vanguard role were given a "living funeral" ceremony by their unit. On the night of April 17th and the early morning of April 18th, 1975, approaching the central area, our troops used B40s, B41s, AK rifles, and hand grenades to simultaneously fire all available ammunition at the targets.

Fires broke out, and enemy ammunition depots exploded violently. In other directions, due to fierce enemy resistance, the soldiers, although not having penetrated deep inside, destroyed many enemy devices and transmitters, paralyzing their operations.

Implementing a flexible combat plan, the brigade organized a force to encircle and wear down the enemy's forces, while the rest infiltrated deep into enemy territory to destroy bases along the highway. Assembling at their position awaiting deployment, and believing Hien lacked proficiency in special forces tactics, the unit assigned her to provide outer perimeter support, but she resolutely refused. Her resourcefulness and bravery earned her the respect of all.

At the recently liberated base, she removed her checkered scarf and smoothed the matted strands of hair from her forehead:

- When I left last night, Mom wrapped this scarf around me and told me to take care of myself from the wind and cold. She must be so worried about me now.

"Our army is closing in on the city," Mr. Hung said, looking at Hien happily. "The day you return to your mother will be soon."

The soldiers inquired about her family, and Hien fell silent, her eyes gazing into the distance.

- My father was a journalist, working for our side. After the Tet Offensive, his cover was blown, and the revolutionaries retreated to the base. My father was in the security forces in the South, and only occasionally did he secretly enter the city.

Knowing that Hien was still unmarried, the soldiers winked and joked:

- Hien, you've found a guy you like. On Liberation Day, bring your son-in-law home to introduce him to your parents...!

On April 25th, the brigade commander disseminated the secret attack order from the Campaign Command and ordered a second attack on Phu Lam Radar Base, responsible for opening and maintaining the gateway to welcome our main army to liberate Saigon. Determined this to be the final battle in the resistance war against the US, all officers and soldiers entered the battle with the spirit of "one day equaling thirty years."

The Special Forces soldiers wore uniforms and did not need camouflage. Each soldier had two rounds of ammunition. The liberation flag they carried was already attached to a pole.

On the evening of April 28, 1975, Hung's unit approached their target and were cutting through barbed wire when they were discovered by the enemy, who opened fire, killing seven soldiers. One comrade jumped up and fired his AK rifle to cover his comrades as they planted explosives to open the gate.

The explosive charge created a powerful blast, blowing through the iron gate and part of the walls on either side. However, the enemy's defenses were too strong, preventing our troops from launching a full-scale assault. We were forced to hold our position at the opening, call for reinforcements to shell the inside, and use direct fire to target the central radar station.

Throughout a day and night of continuous attacks, many soldiers were killed and wounded, but we still couldn't capture the base. During one sortie, Hung was hit by a bullet in the shoulder. He bled profusely, and there weren't enough bandages, so Hien took off her checkered scarf and tied it around his shoulder so he could continue fighting.

At 9:00 AM on April 30, 1975, a detachment of 20 soldiers stormed the main gate, destroying the defensive stronghold and creating an opportunity for their comrades to advance. As the liberation flag flew over the base, Mr. Hung, exhausted, regained consciousness at the forward military medical station.

During the days of recovering from his wounds and preparing to go north, in the liberated city of Saigon, he tried to inquire but no one knew the designation of the commando unit. He also went to the Bay Hien intersection area, but when he mentioned her name, everyone shook their heads.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Hung approached the delegates' table and inquired about a girl named Hien, codename X9. Hearing Mr. Hung recount his battles at Phu Lam base, the former commando soldier quickly shook his hand firmly:

- When she visited the special forces brigade, she was very happy to see a soldier's checkered scarf bearing her name, which was kept in the historical archives. She was supposed to attend today, but suddenly fell ill yesterday afternoon. You are…

- I'm the one she used the bandage on to treat her wound…!

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

- Every battle has casualties, every victory comes with the blood of fallen comrades. Your survival is purely a matter of luck…!

Mr. Hung spoke softly:

- Our comrades, every time they receive a mission, carry with them the belief in ultimate victory, unafraid of hardship or sacrifice, entering battle with a fighting spirit to the death.

Half a century has passed, yet the heroic echoes of the great victory of Spring 1975 still resound. In Mr. Hung's mind, the checkered scarf on the shoulder of the female commando floats illusoryly in his memories.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202505/chiec-khan-mien-ky-uc-a8b0f9a/