The story of the "Hero who killed Americans"

BPO - In the heroic land of Binh Long, which once endured countless bombs and bullets during the war against the US, there are still people who have gone through the war and returned to normal life with a youth full of heroism and sacrifice. Among them is a soldier who is a living witness to the courageous and brave spirit, the "Hero of the Anti-American Struggle," veteran Phan Van Minh.

Veteran Phan Van Minh and his wife reminisce about their wartime memories.

Brave and courageous in wartime.

During the brutal years of the resistance war against the US, Mr. Phan Van Minh, also known as Minh Hien, directly participated in the fighting in the Binh Long battlefield, which was considered a "bombing target" of the Southeast region.

Mr. Minh recounted that he was born in Thach Phu district, Ben Tre province. In 1962, at the age of 18, he volunteered to join the army. After training, he was assigned to Regiment 2, Division 9, and served as a liaison for the Central Committee of the Southern Region. His unit was stationed at Suoi Bo, Tay Ninh province. In 1966, he joined the Party and was then transferred to the battlefields of Binh Long and Loc Ninh, where he worked until the reunification of the country.

In 1969, the Binh Long Provincial Military Command assigned him and three comrades to ambush and prevent the American airborne cavalry regiment from attacking and destroying the base. He carried a B40 rocket launcher, while the other two comrades carried two AK rifles as they crawled out to ambush. “Just about 30 meters out of the bunker, I spotted 30 American soldiers landing by plane and swarming our base at Bau Trau (An Khuong commune, Hon Quan district). I ordered them to open fire. As a result, we killed 17 American soldiers, and the rest had to retreat from Bau Trau. In that battle, two comrades who were with me were killed; I was lucky to survive,” Mr. Minh recalled with emotion.

Veteran Phan Van Minh (far left) recounts his story with Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Binh Long town.

Can Le Bridge, where Minh and his comrades once surrounded and prevented South Vietnamese soldiers from entering the liberated zone.

For that exceptional achievement, in 1969, Mr. Minh was awarded the title "Hero of the Anti-American Struggle," a prestigious award recognizing his bravery and significant contributions to the national liberation struggle. Afterward, Mr. Minh was transferred to the Loc Ninh District Military Command. "Back then, we marched through the jungle, carrying guns and ammunition, with only one thought in our minds: to drive the Americans out, to liberate our homeland. In the battle at Can Le Bridge, I directly participated in eliminating six American soldiers."

In 1970, during a courageous battle against the "Big Red One" Division, he was seriously wounded and treated at K71 Hospital. After recovering, he returned to the Loc Ninh forward liaison station, where the fighting was still raging. In 1972, after the liberation of Loc Ninh, his unit assigned him to protect the Liaison House of the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam and Loc Ninh Airport. This was a time of victory for Vietnam. Loc Ninh Airport welcomed hundreds of brave soldiers returning from the "tiger cages" of Con Dao prison. As soon as our soldiers disembarked from the aircraft, they immediately donned the uniforms of the liberation army.

Mr. Minh continued, recounting that from 1973 to 1975, the Loc Ninh District Military Command assigned him to directly command a platoon to encircle the Can Le Bridge. This was a vital location, connecting American and puppet regime military bases. At that time, the Liberation Army was on one side of the bridge, while on the other side there was a checkpoint manned by puppet troops, preventing our troops from crossing into Binh Long. “On average, the unit assigned six comrades per day to encircle the enemy, with me as the direct commander. On March 23, 1975, the puppet troops retreated. We fired B40 rockets across the Can Le Bridge, then ran across the bridge, tore down the puppet regime's three-striped flag, raised our own liberation flag, and ran back to Binh Long. That was also the day Binh Long was liberated,” Mr. Minh excitedly recalled.

For 13 years, alongside his comrades, serving in the arduous and fierce battlefields of the Southeastern region, Mr. Minh excellently completed his missions, earning the First Class Resistance Medal and numerous other medals and awards.

Dedicate yourself fully to peacetime.

After the liberation, Mr. Minh returned to his hometown of Ben Tre. He was then sent to the North to study at the Nguyen Ai Quoc Party School, and later served as Director of the Thach Phu District Party School (Ben Tre). In 1986, he moved to Binh Phuoc, working at Binh Long Rubber Company Limited, in charge of Party affairs, and subsequently served as Deputy Secretary of the company's Party Committee for several terms until his retirement. In every position he held, he always dedicated himself wholeheartedly and excellently fulfilled his assigned duties.

Returning to civilian life, he lives a simple, unpretentious life in his second hometown of Binh Long with his wife and children. His wife, Hoang Thi Hien, is a former member of the Binh Long Women's Cart Team. The team was responsible for transporting food, supplies, rice, and ammunition to the Binh Long battlefield during the general mobilization for the resistance war against the US. Currently, at 82 years old, Mr. Minh remains sharp-minded and healthy, actively participating in the activities of the Phu Duc Ward Veterans Association, serving as a shining example for the younger generation to follow.

A lifetime – a time of fire and glory. Veteran Phan Van Minh is not only a heroic soldier but also a living witness to the patriotism, courage, and sacrifice of his forefathers. His story is a testament to the spirit of "Nothing is more precious than independence and freedom" and also a moving reminder for today's young generation.

In the jubilant atmosphere leading up to the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, the story of "Hero of the Anti-American Struggle" Phan Văn Minh makes these April days even more radiant, giving us added strength to fulfill our historical mission of making Vietnam increasingly prosperous and strong.

The veteran shared, "Every time I return to Ta Thiet Base, it's like meeting old comrades again. Many have fallen here. I hope today's young generation understands and cherishes the value of peace even more."

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the complete liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country, Mr. Minh recently led a delegation of veterans from Binh Long town on a trip to revisit old battlefields. Their first stop was Can Le Bridge, followed by Ta Thiet Base. These are places where he lived, fought, and worked for many years during the resistance war. These trips back to the old battlefields serve as a reminder to today's generation: Peace is the most precious thing!

“I deeply respect, admire, and am grateful for the achievements of veteran Phan Văn Minh. He is a living witness to the war of national liberation. He is a brave, courageous, and resilient man, a source of pride for his hometown of Bình Long.”

Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc, Chairman of the Veterans Association of Binh Long town.

Source: https://baobinhphuoc.com.vn/news/9/171895/chuyen-cua-dung-si-diet-my