Commemoration ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the first victory at Cua Luc, Quang Ninh.

In the battles of August 2nd and 5th, 1964, many of our officers, soldiers, and civilians, including 78 naval officers and soldiers, bravely sacrificed their lives for the homeland.

Delegates attend the Commemoration Ceremony for the Victory in the First Battle on August 2nd and 5th, 1964, at Cua Luc, Quang Ninh .

On the morning of August 1st, at Cua Luc sea area (Bai Chay ward, Ha Long city, Quang Ninh province), the Navy and Quang Ninh province organized a ceremony to commemorate the heroic martyrs and people who bravely fought and sacrificed their lives in the battles of August 2nd and 5th, 1964.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Navy, presided over the ceremony. Also present were Mr. Nguyen Xuan Ky, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Cao Tuong Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee; members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial People's Committee, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Ninh province; representatives from the Naval Command, the Border Guard, the Vietnam Coast Guard, Military Region 3, and the Air Defense - Air Force Command; veteran delegates, heroes of the People's Armed Forces; and a large number of local youth union members and officials.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Political Commissar of the Navy, offered incense to commemorate the heroic martyrs. (Source: Navy)

Sixty years ago, in an attempt to salvage the failure of the "Special War" strategy, the US imperialists launched air and naval attacks on North Vietnam to prevent the large-scale support from the North to the Southern front, aiming to weaken the fighting spirit and determination of our army and people to liberate South Vietnam.

In response to the actions of the American imperialists, the Vietnam People's Navy and the people and armed forces of North Vietnam proactively, creatively, intelligently, and bravely repelled the destroyer USS Madox and shot down 8 aircraft, damaging many others. The victories in the initial battles on August 2nd and 5th, 1964, demonstrated the political and spiritual strength of the entire nation; the will to fight, the determination to fight, and the ability to win of the Navy and the people and armed forces of North Vietnam.

In that battle, many of our officers, soldiers, and civilians bravely fell and were wounded. Among them were 78 naval officers and soldiers who heroically sacrificed their lives. Their blood soaked and mingled with every inch of the sacred islands and stretches of sea of ​​the Fatherland, glorifying the glorious flag of the Party and the Fatherland, illuminating the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers," and brightening the glorious history of the heroic Vietnamese People's Army. These are shining examples of revolutionary heroism, self-sacrifice for the Fatherland and the people.

The USS Madox 731 of the US Seventh Fleet violated Vietnamese waters in August 1964. (Source: VNA)

In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, the delegates recalled the heroic deeds of previous generations, remembering and expressing their boundless gratitude, while also recognizing their immense responsibility in the current cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

In his commemorative address to the fallen heroes, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Political Commissar of the Navy, affirmed that the blood and sacrifices of the fallen heroes for the cause of national liberation have contributed to making the seas and islands of the Fatherland increasingly prosperous and beautiful. The spirit of "daring to fight, determined to fight, and knowing how to win" from the first victory has spread, deeply permeated, and become an invaluable spiritual foundation for the Navy and the people of the whole country in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.

Against the backdrop of a complex and unpredictable global and regional situation, the task of protecting maritime and island sovereignty has placed new and urgent demands on the Navy.

In this context, the Navy must thoroughly understand the resolutions and directives of the Party, the Central Military Commission, and the Ministry of National Defense; uphold the glorious traditions of the Army and the Navy, the tradition of winning the first battle; maintain unity and cooperation; continuously improve overall quality, combat readiness, and combat strength; and excellently fulfill its mission as the core force in firmly protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea, islands, and continental shelf of the Fatherland, worthy of the trust and affection of the Party, the State, the Army, and the People.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/le-tuong-niem-60-nam-ngay-chien-thang-tran-dau-tai-cua-luc-quang-ninh-280949.html