The humble hero

BDK.VN - I visited him on a day at the end of April, amidst the nationwide excitement and anticipation of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. As one of the highest-ranking commanders in the 1975 Ben Tre liberation campaign, he remained calm and composed as usual. Looking at this man, nearly 90 years old, few would imagine that he was once a renowned commando and special forces commander on the Ben Tre battlefield during the war...

Hero of the People's Armed Forces Le Quang Van (right) and Hero of Labor Trinh Van Y at a reunion of veterans who participated in the liberation of Southern Vietnam and the reunification of the country. Photo by Tran Ut.

He is Colonel Le Quang Van (also known as Le Giang or Bay Giang), Hero of the People's Armed Forces, former Deputy Commander - Chief of Staff of the Ben Tre Provincial Military Command.

Born into a large peasant family in Minh Duc commune, Mo Cay district, he quickly embraced revolutionary ideals and joined the army. He spent most of his time in the military serving in special forces and commando units. From the Dong Khoi Uprising of 1960 to April 30, 1975, he fought in hundreds of battles, killing over 120 enemy soldiers, capturing 15, destroying 2 military vehicles, collapsing 2 bridges, and seizing a large quantity of enemy weapons and equipment.

As the commander of the Ben Tre town militia, he led the town's special forces in legendary battles within the city, striking terror into the hearts of the enemy on numerous occasions. Notable examples include the attack on the Cai Ca Bridge Joint Control Station and the elimination of officers from the puppet 7th Division at the Hoa Nam teahouse.

In March 1969, he commanded a unit stationed at Binh Phu. The enemy concentrated more than one battalion, divided into multiple columns, to attack our position. He calmly commanded his unit to repel the enemy's attacks, killing and wounding over 150 enemy soldiers, and holding the position. Le Quang Van was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces on January 16, 1978.

Returning to civilian life in the late 1980s, he set about building a family life, raising his children to be successful and accomplished individuals. All of his children graduated from university and have stable lives. In his spacious house in Huu Dinh commune, Chau Thanh district, over a cup of tea, he reminisces about stories of his life intertwined with the historical events of his province.

In the final days of April 1975, he and his comrades commanded the forces that launched the offensive to liberate the town. One event he could never forget was that during the main assault, some comrades fell asleep due to exhaustion, allowing the enemy to discover their position and reveal their intentions to fight, forcing a change in the battle plan. He ordered the reserve forces to use 82mm mortars and B40 rockets to fire intensely to relieve the enemy's encirclement on the night before Ben Tre was completely liberated.

Now, every day, around mid-morning to late afternoon, he sits drinking tea with his neighbors and motorbike taxi drivers, living a very simple life. He has also instructed his children that, after his death, they should cremate him and send a handful of his ashes down the Ham Luong River so that he can return to his three beloved islets.

Son Vo

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/nguoi-anh-hung-binh-di-30042025-a145961.html