3rd Sao Vang Division: Six decades of pride in the tradition of "Loyalty and Resilience"

(GLO)- Growing up in hardship and fighting in harsh conditions has become the driving force, the internal strength and pride for officers and soldiers of the 3rd Sao Vang Division (Military Region 1) to continue promoting the glorious tradition in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland in the renovation period.

Testing 3 new soldiers of Regiment 2 in 2025. Photo: Tran Nhu Khanh

Exactly 60 years ago, on September 2, 1965, when our nation's resistance war against the US entered its most fierce and fierce phase, the 3rd Division - Sao Vang was established in Ba Boi forest, An Nghia commune, Hoai An district, Binh Dinh province (now Kim Son commune, Gia Lai province), under the direct leadership and direction of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and the Command of Military Region 5. From the very first day of its establishment, the Division undertook the important task of fighting in the strategic areas of the Central Highlands provinces.

Division 3 organizes a one-sided command exercise and two-level coordination exercise of military services in 2024. Photo: Tran Nhu Khanh

Through the years of glorious fighting, the officers and soldiers of Division 3 participated in hundreds of large and small battles, defeating many large-scale sweep operations of the US - puppet army and vassal states. The Division won many resounding victories such as: Thuan Ninh (1965), Xuan Son (1966), My Loc, My Trinh (1968), liberating Hoai An district (1972), cutting off Highway 19, liberating Phan Rang - Ninh Thuan , Ba Ria town and the entire Phuoc Tuy province (Spring 1975), contributing with the entire Party, the entire army, and the entire people to the Great Victory of Spring 1975, completely liberating the South, and unifying the country.

In the battle to protect the northern border (1979), Division 3 was one of the first units to open fire at the Lang Son front, participating in the battle at the Vi Xuyen front, steadfastly holding out, closely coordinating with friendly forces, forcing the enemy to withdraw, firmly protecting the sovereignty and sacred territorial integrity of the Fatherland; creating the glorious tradition of "Loyalty, steadfastness, sticking to the land, sticking to the people, self-reliance, self-strengthening, solidarity, victory". With outstanding achievements in combat, the Division, along with 20 collectives and 17 individuals, were awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces and many other noble awards.

A tactical training session of Battalion 6, Regiment 12. Photo: Tran Nhu Khanh

Entering the period of innovation, building and defending the Fatherland, Division 3 continues to affirm its role as the main unit with sufficient troops of Military Region 1. Promoting the heroic tradition, proactiveness, creativity, and determination to build a strong and comprehensive unit that is "exemplary and typical"; in which, training and combat readiness are the central tasks. The Division has effectively implemented resolutions and directives from superiors; closely following the training motto of "basic, practical, solid", focusing on synchronization and depth, training close to actual combat, strengthening night training, mobile training, field training and training according to tasks and situations. The work of building discipline, training discipline, political and ideological education has been maintained regularly, associated with emulation movements to win, and major campaigns.

Soldiers of Regiment 2 participated in helping people in Hop Thinh commune (Hiep Hoa district, Bac Giang province, now Hop Thinh commune, Bac Ninh province) prevent flooding and reinforce dykes during storm No. 3 (Yagi) in September 2024. Photo: Tran Nhu Khanh

In addition to effectively carrying out training and combat readiness tasks, Division 3 always clearly identifies the responsibility of the revolutionary army unit as "wherever the people need, there are soldiers". In recent years, the Division has proactively participated in mass mobilization work, building new rural areas, eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses, implementing well the policy work, the army's rear, building a monument to record the names of the Division's martyrs in Dong Dang commune (Lang Son); participating in natural disaster prevention, rescue, and helping people overcome the consequences of floods, landslides, forest fires, etc. Especially during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic (2020) and storm No. 3 - Yagi (2024), the image of the simple, dedicated, and loyal Sao Vang soldier has left a deep impression in the hearts of the people. That is the most vivid proof of the tradition of "Loyalty, resilience, sticking to the land, sticking to the people" of the heroic Division 3 - Sao Vang.

Soldiers of Battalion 8 (Regiment 141, Division 3) help people in Dong Thuy village (Tan Thanh commune, Lang Son province) harvest crops. Photo: Tran Nhu Khanh

Proud of the glorious feats and achievements over the past 60 years, the officers and soldiers of Division 3 continue to uphold the spirit of solidarity, overcome all difficulties, strive, compete to achieve many achievements to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day September 2; celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Division's founding; at the same time, well perform the tasks in 2025 and the following years as set out in the resolution of the 12th Division Party Congress (term 2025 - 2030).

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/su-doan-3-sao-vang-sau-thap-ky-tu-hao-voi-truyen-thong-trung-dung-kien-cuong-post563819.html