Untold story about the gunner from Nghe An on tank 843 that captured the Independence Palace

As one of two gunners from Nghe An who were present on the legendary tanks that crashed through the gate of the Independence Palace on the afternoon of April 30, 1975, veteran Thai Ba Minh will forever be the honor and pride of his family and hometown in the coastal village of Dien Chau district.

Two military service

Born and raised in Dien Bich commune, now Ngoc Bich, at the age of 18, Thai Ba Minh enlisted in the army, assigned to Company 27, Regiment 22, Military Region 4, and trained in Quynh Tam commune (Quynh Luu). After two months of basic training, he was ordered to go to the South to fight.

Veteran Tran Ngoc Vinh (75 years old), residing in Bac Chien Thang hamlet, Ngoc Bich commune, said that he and Mr. Minh enlisted on the same day and trained in the same unit. Upon handover in Vinh Linh ( Quang Tri ), he was assigned to the 304th Division, while Mr. Minh joined the 203rd Armored Brigade, 2nd Corps. During their years fighting in Quang Tri, he and Mr. Minh occasionally met.

Veteran Tran Ngoc Vinh (center), a fellow soldier of Thai Ba Minh. Photo: Huy Thu.

During the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, on the morning of April 30, 1975, Sergeant Thai Ba Minh, as the number 1 gunner in the crew of T54B tank number 843, commanded by Lieutenant Bui Quang Than, was part of the combat formation of Company 4, Battalion 1, 203rd Armored Brigade. The crew also included the number 2 gunner, Corporal Nguyen Van Ky, and the driver, Corporal Lu Van Hoa.

On its way to the Independence Palace, Tank 843 destroyed three enemy tanks and armored vehicles. At 11:00 AM on April 30, 1975, Tank 843 rammed into the side gate of the Independence Palace and its engine stalled. Company commander Bui Quang Than jumped out of the tank and ran to the roof of the Independence Palace to plant the flag of the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam.

Tank 390, following behind, surged forward and rammed through the gates of the Independence Palace. This event marked a sacred moment for the nation, gloriously ending the resistance war against the US and saving the country.

Tank crew 843 during the Ho Chi Minh Campaign. Gunner Thai Ba Minh (second from the left). Photo: Archival material.

In this historic moment, besides Sergeant Thai Ba Minh - the number 1 gunner of tank 843, also from Nghe An province, there was Sergeant Ngo Sy Nguyen (Dien Ky commune, Dien Chau district) - the number 1 gunner of tank 390.

After the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, soldier Thai Ba Minh was discharged from the army and returned to his hometown. In 1977, he married Dang Thi Tuyen, a village girl from the area. Ms. Tuyen said that they had been in love for several years, but only got married after Mr. Minh was discharged from the army.

Tank 843 participating in the parade after the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country. Photo: Archival material.

In early 1979, when the Northern Border War broke out, following the general mobilization order, veteran Thai Ba Minh enlisted for the second time, participating in the fight against Chinese troops in Lang Son. During the years that Mr. Minh re-enlisted, Mrs. Tuyen visited and encouraged her husband on the border front.

In 1982, he was discharged from the army and returned to his hometown to participate in production, working as a warehouse manager for the cooperative, a village militia leader, and more, all with the enthusiasm of a veteran.

The pride of our family and hometown.

Fifty years after the great victory of Spring 1975, the two tanks that rammed through the gates of the Independence Palace on the afternoon of April 30, 1975 – artifacts of special significance in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign – have been recognized as national treasures. The 4th Tank Company of the 203rd Armored Brigade, led by Colonel Bui Quang Than, has been awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces...

Ms. Dang Thi Tuyen lights incense before her husband's altar. Photo: Huy Thu.

Some members of that tank crew are still alive, others have passed away, but the vivid historical story associated with this legendary tank remains a testament to a heroic period of the nation's struggle. Tank 483 is currently on display at the Vietnam Military History Museum (Hanoi).

Speaking of her late husband – the number one gunner on tank 843 – Mrs. Tuyen (72 years old), with her gray hair, shared: “These days, the whole country is looking towards Ho Chi Minh City, following the training atmosphere of the armed forces commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country. I am deeply moved, honored, and proud to have had my husband and loved ones contribute to the great victory of the nation. It's a pity my husband passed away so early, so I didn't get to witness this.”

Ms. Dang Thi Tuyen next to a portrait of Mr. Thai Ba Minh. Photo: Huy Thu

According to Ms. Tuyen, while still living in his hometown, Mr. Minh visited his unit several times, reuniting with his old comrades. In 1995, on the 20th anniversary of the liberation of South Vietnam and the reunification of the country, during a reunion of tank soldiers from the 203rd Armored Brigade, he took a group photo with the members of the 843rd tank crew from back then. This was also the last photo he took with his comrades.

In 2009, upon receiving an invitation from her unit (Mr. Minh had already passed away), Mrs. Tuyen and her youngest child traveled to the North to attend the commemoration of the "50th Anniversary of the Armored Corps' Traditional Day". In her house, she currently displays a photograph of a tank crashing through the gate of the Independence Palace, signed by Colonel Bui Quang Than.

Ms. Tuyen is keeping the invitation from the Armored Command. Photo: Huy Thu

The only memento from his military days that Mr. Minh left for Mrs. Tuyen's family is his Party membership card, now faded with time. Holding the card in her hand, his daughter burst into tears: "I miss you so much, Dad."

Veteran Thai Ba Niem (67 years old) - Mr. Minh's younger brother - recounted: "Both times he enlisted, the papers, medals, and decorations he brought home were all swept away by the floods; the family couldn't keep anything."

Ms. Thai Thi Duyen, the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Minh, burst into tears while holding her father's memento. Photo: Huy Thu

For the people of Ngoc Bich commune (Dien Chau district), Mr. Thai Ba Minh, along with his stories of fighting and battling the enemy on various battlefields, and his role as a tank gunner in capturing the Independence Palace, has become an unforgettable memory for generations.

Locals often referred to him affectionately as "Mr. Minh Xe" (when he was a child, his neighbors used to call him "Cu Xe"). Everyone still remembers the number one artilleryman as a thin, dark-skinned man, often seen on the beach with his fishing nets and a straw raincoat...

Every April 30th, when the whole country joyfully celebrates the liberation of the South and the reunification of the nation, deep in their hearts, the people of the coastal villages remember him with deep respect and affection.

Concerns of family members

Mr. Thai Ba Minh is the third child in a family of eight siblings (four of his brothers had enlisted in the army, participated in the resistance against the US, and served on international missions). Veteran Thai Ba Niem, Mr. Minh's younger brother, added: "In the 1990s, life in our hometown was extremely difficult, and local people often went south to fish. Back then, Minh and I also went south on the same bus. After working in Sa Huynh (Quang Ngai) for a while, we went our separate ways; Minh went to Ca Na (Ninh Thuan) and I went to Kien Giang."

Mr. and Mrs. Minh have five children (three sons and two daughters), all of whom work far from home. Mr. Minh usually visits home once a year during Tet (Lunar New Year) and leaves again the following year. Despite working hard year-round, they haven't been able to improve their financial situation.

Ms. Tuyen recalled that in early 1999, on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, her family received the devastating news that Mr. Minh had passed away on a fishing boat in Ninh Thuan, leaving her and her children speechless.

Her husband passed away at the age of 47, leaving Mrs. Tuyen with young children, the youngest of whom, Thai Ba Vuong, was only 9 years old at the time. Mrs. Tuyen became a widow, having to be both mother and father, single-handedly selling goods at the market to support her children.

The house of Mrs. Tuyen's family in Quyet Thang hamlet, Ngoc Bich commune (Dien Chau). Photo: Huy Thu

The six mother and children lived in a dilapidated, leaky house, often going hungry. When the mother went to the market, the eldest daughter had to stay home to help with chores and take care of the younger siblings. Out of compassion for the widowed mother and her orphaned children, in 2000, relatives borrowed money and helped build a two-room house for them, with a tiled roof and wooden rafters.

Ms. Tuyen shared: Due to difficult family circumstances, her children did not receive a complete education, only studying up to the 6th or 7th grade before having to drop out to work and help their mother.

Decades have passed, and life in the fishing village has changed considerably, but the family seems to remain largely unchanged. Currently, their two daughters are married to people from the same village. Their eldest son works in Binh Thuan, has been married for 10 years but has no children. Their two younger children are working on an island.

Inside the old, dilapidated house of Mrs. Tuyen's family. Photo: Huy Thu.

Ms. Tuyen is living alone in an old, dilapidated house with cracked and crumbling walls, falling roof tiles, and crooked windows...

Lighting incense at her husband's altar in the middle of the house, Mrs. Tuyen couldn't hide her worries: Mr. Minh's grave had been exhumed and moved back to his hometown by his siblings several years ago so that his wife and children could easily take care of it. Now, only the old, dilapidated house remains, which she hasn't been able to renovate yet.

"I've been ill all the time, and my son is also facing difficulties, so we can't repair the house. Previously, I called Mr. Minh's old unit to ask for help from his comrades, but I haven't heard anything for a long time," Mrs. Tuyen said.

Ms. Dang Thi Tuyen said she had called her former workplace twice to ask for financial assistance to renovate her house. Photo: Huy Thu

Referring to Mrs. Tuyen's family, Mr. Dau Trong Quyet - Chairman of the Veterans Association of Ngoc Bich commune (Dien Chau district) shared: "On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, the Veterans Association of the commune organized a visit to encourage and give gifts to Mrs. Tuyen's family. We see that Mrs. Tuyen's family is facing great difficulties and needs help to repair and rebuild their house."

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/chuyen-chua-ke-ve-phao-thu-que-nghe-an-บน-xe-tang-843-danh-chiem-dinh-doc-lap-10295898.html