Meet the veteran who was awarded the title of Hero at the age of 20

Having made great contributions to the 81-day and night campaign to protect Quang Tri Citadel, veteran Mai Ngoc Thoang (in Bim Son town, Thanh Hoa province) was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State when he was just 20 years old. After more than 50 years, the heroic memories are still intact in him.

Fighting in the fiery land of Quang Tri

During the historic days of April, I had the opportunity to listen to the story of People's Armed Forces Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang (70 years old, in Ngoc Trao ward, Bim Son town, Thanh Hoa province), who made great contributions in the 81-day and night campaign to protect Quang Tri Citadel, more than 50 years ago.

People's Armed Forces Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang talks about the fierce fighting days at Quang Tri Citadel. Photo: Minh Hoang

Talking to us at his home, Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang said he was born and raised in his hometown of Ngoc Trao Guerrilla Zone (in Thach Thanh district, Thanh Hoa).

In 1970, he enlisted in the army and joined the 48th Regiment, 320B Division, 1st Corps (now 390th Division). In 1972, his unit was mobilized to participate in the campaign to liberate Quang Tri, with the task of ensuring the information line for combat.

At the end of March 1972, gunfire resounded in the land of fire Quang Tri, and by the beginning of May 1972, the entire town of Quang Tri was liberated. Then, to put pressure on us at the Paris Conference, the enemy mobilized all their forces to launch a counterattack to retake Quang Tri, with the goal of retaking the Citadel, before the 4-Party Conference officially opened in Paris to discuss issues related to the Agreement to End the War.

During these days, the war was extremely fierce, the enemy mobilized the most modern weapons to capture the entire Quang Tri Citadel. His unit (Regiment 48) was one of the regiments stationed at the Citadel along with the main regiments of Division 320B. Regiment 48, at that time was also called Quang Son Regiment and its only slogan was "Quang Son remains, Quang Tri remains".

“For 81 days and nights (from June 28 to September 16, 1972), the Thach Han River became a place of bombs and bullets. Thousands of soldiers fell in this fierce battle, to maintain the goal of protecting Quang Tri town” - Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang shared.

Was awarded the title of Hero at the age of 20.

Also according to Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang, during the 81-day and night campaign, to ensure communication, the signal soldiers of Regiment 48 always had to strain themselves and face the rain of bombs and bullets, connecting broken lines.

He still remembers clearly that day (July 13, 1972), a communication line across the river was broken many times. Every member of the regiment went, and one of them died.

“At that time, as the squad leader of the radio communication squad, I volunteered to continue to go. Because I knew that going would mean death, before leaving, my teammates held a living memorial service for me,” he said.

Awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces when he was just 20 years old. Photo: Character provided

When he reached the riverbank, despite the rain of bombs and bullets, he swam to the opposite bank and retrieved the broken end of the rope. On this side of the river, a comrade from the same regiment passed the end of the rope to him. At this time, he swam in the middle of the river to connect the two ends of the rope, but encountered difficulty because of the lack of connecting rope. In that situation, there was no other way, he used his teeth to bite the two broken ends of the rope and reconnect them.

“At that time, I used my teeth to bite the wire, while my hands and feet swam continuously. Every time the two ends of the phone connected, I felt the electric current running through my body, making me numb. However, I did not give up and held on to the wire for nearly 30 minutes until I passed out.

When I regained consciousness, I found myself being taken to shore. Then, returning to my unit, I heard the political commissar in the unit announce that Comrade Thoang had just connected the line to General Vo Nguyen Giap to call and command the campaign directly and that the enemy's recent attack had been broken. His actions had greatly reduced the damage to our army in this battle" - Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang recalled.

With outstanding achievements, contributing greatly to the 81-day and night victory at Quang Tri Citadel. On September 23, 1973, the leader of the wire communication squad Mai Ngoc Thoang was honored to be awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State when he was just 20 years old.

Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang offers incense to commemorate the fallen heroes and martyrs. Photo: Character provided

According to Hero Mai Ngoc Thoang, after the fiery summer campaign in Quang Tri Citadel, his Regiment was mobilized to the Southern battlefield until the country was completely liberated.

After that, he worked at the Political Department of Division 390, Corps 1. In 1993, he left the army, returned to his hometown, settled down and held many important positions in Ngoc Trao ward, Bim Son town.

Up to now, although he has been retired for a long time, he still regularly participates in mass activities, helps his teammates and fellow countrymen in the locality and has achieved many achievements in social work. Along with that, every year in the fiery month of April, he takes time to visit the Quang Tri battlefield to pay tribute to his comrades and teammates who heroically sacrificed for the country's independence.

Laodong.vn