A time of war

Mr. Ninh reads books and newspapers to grasp information to serve propaganda work in residential areas.

Unlike many veterans we met and talked to, with souvenirs still kept from the war, veteran Nong Van Ninh has no souvenirs from his time participating in the resistance war, because he belonged to the "special force" A72 (a unit specializing in shoulder-fired missiles).

Story about "special forces"

Mr. Nong Van Ninh was born in 1951, in Cho Hoang village, Thuong Cuong commune, old Chi Lang district, now Bang Mac commune. In August 1971, when he was just 20 years old, he put aside his studies and volunteered to join the army to protect the Fatherland.

After joining the army, he and his unit were trained in Dong Anh district, Hanoi city, specializing in using A72 shoulder-fired missiles. According to him, this is a type of heat-seeking missile sponsored by the Soviet Union for the air defense force of the Vietnam People's Army. The force trained in this type of weapon is considered a "special force", because it must keep absolute secrecy, not write letters or contact family, be absolutely loyal, when captured by the enemy, must find a way to destroy the launch mechanism (the part to fire the missile), not reveal the name or location of the unit, and be ready to die to protect their comrades.

After a period of training, in January 1972, he and his unit were ordered to march to the Quang Tri battlefield. At this time, he was assigned to Company 2, Battalion 172 (Independent Battalion). After more than 1 month of marching, his unit arrived in Quang Tri. In this battlefield, the enemy bombed and attacked fiercely, especially the Thach Han River, Quang Tri town - the only route directly supporting the Citadel and Quang Tri town. From the end of June 1972, our army officially entered the battle to defend the Citadel. "Day after day, night after night, we lived and fought on a battlefield of only about 3km². The first person fell, the next person was added, before we knew each other's names, the unit was "worn out". Just like that, during 81 days and nights of heroic fighting, our army defended the Quang Tri Citadel" - Mr. Ninh recalled.

He said, at the Quang Tri front, his missile unit was stationed at the An Ho hill area. During the fighting in this hill area, his unit shot down two enemy planes. According to his memory, at the Quang Tri front, our force using A72 missiles, along with intercepting and ambushing enemy planes, and being vigilant against enemy bombs in the air, also had to be vigilant against the enemy's 7th fleet's artillery firing from the sea. In this battle, our side suffered many casualties. He himself, during the fighting in the An Ho hill area, was hit by a bomb fragment in the head area. The bomb fragment penetrated his helmet, lodged near the top of his head, and due to the pressure of the bomb and the wound, he fainted.

There is an impressive and touching detail for us, that is, during the time at the Quang Tri front, he was chosen by his superiors to carry out the plan to infiltrate deep into the enemy to attack the enemy from the inside out. "The luggage that I will be given is a grenade, so that if I am captured by the enemy, I will use it to sacrifice myself. This has also been thoroughly instilled since our training in the "special force". For us, "going to the battlefield without regretting our youth", ready to sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland, so being chosen by my superiors to do the task, I feel very honored and proud" - Mr. Ninh recalled. However, later the battle plan changed so the above plan was not implemented.

Returning with a head wound, he found himself luckier than many of his comrades. That summer, the Quang Tri front had three rainy seasons: rain of bombs and bullets from the enemy, rain of the weather with the historic flood and "red rain". "Red rain" was the blood, bones, and bodies of soldiers who had fallen, merging into the soil and the Thach Han River in the battle to protect the Citadel. Mr. Ninh sadly said: During those days, it must be said that the endurance of the soldiers was extraordinary, but there were too many casualties. Some people lay down, the soldiers buried them, and the bombs plowed them up again... The verses of author Le Ba Duong were like the feelings of veterans like us about our fallen comrades:

“Boat to Thach Han, row gently

My friend is still there at the bottom of the river.

Twenty years old become waves

Peaceful shore, forever and ever…”

Lightning fast march

After the Quang Tri front, in early 1973, he and his unit returned to the North, trained in Nam Dinh province to prepare for the Southern battlefield. In March 1973, his unit was ordered to march to the South to prepare for the Ho Chi Minh campaign. At that time, he was assigned the task of being the number 1 gunner of the A72 missile. Following the urgent telegram of General Vo Nguyen Giap: "Faster, faster, bolder, bolder, seize every minute, every hour, rush to the front, liberate the South. Determined to fight and win completely", his unit marched day and night, any sick comrades were taken out to receive treatment, any broken vehicles were left on the side of the road. At that time, the US no longer bombed the air, the puppet army was weakened, so our march was very favorable.

By early April 1975, his unit arrived at Thu Dau Mot town, Binh Duong province. Here, the fiercest stronghold was Phu Loi airport. Our infantry and tanks, with timely and accurate support from campaign artillery, developed a fierce attack, crushing the enemy's resistance. During the battle, he and his teammates received very close coordination from local units. By about 10:30 a.m. on April 30, 1975, our troops had taken control of Phu Loi base. Building on the victory, the units developed the attack, liberated Thu Dau Mot town, and captured the entire puppet government. After that, his unit continued to advance and take over Tan Thuan Dong base, Ho Chi Minh city.

Contribution in peacetime

After the liberation and reunification of the country, he was demobilized and returned to his hometown to continue his unfinished dream of studying. In 1976, he passed the entrance exam to the Faculty of Mathematics, Viet Bac Pedagogical University, now Thai Nguyen Pedagogical University - Thai Nguyen Province. After graduating in 1980, he worked at the Department of Education of Chi Lang District. From 1988 to 1990, he studied at the Nguyen Ai Quoc Central Party School, now the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. After completing the course, he worked at the Hoang Van Thu Political School. He worked here for many years, then moved to work at the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department, retiring in 2011.

After retirement, he continued to make many contributions to the block and the education sector such as: Secretary of the Party Cell of Cua Nam Block, Luong Van Tri Ward, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Association for Promotion of Education. For many years, he has been elected as a prestigious person of Cua Nam Block.

In recognition of his contributions to the resistance war, he was awarded the Second Class Resistance Medal and the Third Class Glorious Soldier Medal by the State. During his work in peacetime, he was awarded many certificates of merit, commendations and noble awards by all levels and sectors.

Ms. Ngo Mai Tram, Party Cell Secretary, Head of Cua Nam Block, Luong Van Tri Ward said: When working or performing duties in the block, Mr. Ninh always promoted the nature of Uncle Ho's soldiers, was always exemplary and responsible, made important contributions to the development of the locality, and was trusted, loved and respected by the people in the block.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/hoi-uc-thoi-binh-lua-5066895.html