The original unit named Tran Cao Van Regiment (also known as Tran Cao Van squad) was established from armed teams of Phong Dien, A Luoi, Huong Thuy districts... of Thua Thien province.

At first, it was an armed guerrilla unit, from battalion level it developed to regimental level operating in the Thua Thien plain. On December 5, 1952, the Binh Tri Thien Division with 3 regiments 18, 95 and 101 was established. Regiment 101 at that time had the mission of fighting against the French army and the puppet army of the National Vietnam, then went to the North Central region to replenish its troops and returned to the old battlefield.

The author (right) presents battlefield relics at the Tradition Room of Regiment 101, April 5, 2025.

  During the 9 years of resistance against French colonialism, the Regiment always maintained a steadfast and indomitable fighting spirit. From small-scale battles to destroy the enemy in the 3 Central provinces, the Regiment quickly developed its independence to operate on a larger scale. The Regiment participated in the battles on the Central - Lower Laos Front and Northeastern Cambodia, contributing to "sharing the fire" to create the Dien Bien Phu Victory, successfully ending our people's resistance war against French colonialism.

During the resistance war against the US to save the country, the Vietnam People's Army established many new 101st Regiments to supplement different battlefields. Continuing to promote the unit's fighting tradition in the resistance war against French colonialism, the Regiment has continuously grown, contributing to supporting the large frontline in the South to fight the US and destroy the puppet regime. From an initial regiment, it has developed into 5 infantry regiments (101A, 101B, 101C, 101D, 101E), successively going to fight on the battlefields of the Southeast, Central Highlands, Route 9 - Khe Sanh, Quang Tri ...

After the 325C Division (developed from the 325th Division) reinforced the southern fronts, the 325D Division was established in early 1968, and the 101E Regiment was part of the 325D Division. Along with the Division's mission, the 101E Regiment was tasked with training reinforcements, dozens of battalions were trained and supplemented for the battlefields.

In November 1971, the 325D Division was transferred to training to become a mobile division of the Ministry. In early spring 1972, the Division moved to the South of Military Region 4 and the regiments joined the battle in Quang Tri battlefield. In mid-July 1972, the 101E Regiment entered Dong Ha - Ai Tu and then crossed the Thach Han River to guard the Cho Sai, An Tiem, Nai Cuu routes...

In the last days of 1972, Regiment 101E fought with friendly units to defend Cua Viet port. At the end of 1974, the Regiment moved from South Cua Viet to Cam Lo. Leaving Cam Lo, the Regiment from Truong Son attacked Phu Loc and cut off Highway 1, isolating Hue city, advancing to plant the flag on Phu Van Lau, then crossing Hai Van Pass to enter Da Nang, breaking through the Phan Rang - Thanh Son defense line, participating in the historic Ho Chi Minh Campaign, contributing to the liberation of Long Thanh, Thanh Tuy Ha, Nhon Trach, Cat Lai naval base, capturing District 9 of Saigon and the puppet Navy Command.

In the formation of Division 325 (2nd Corps), after liberating the South, Regiment 101E also performed international missions in Laos (1976), helping the young revolutionary government of the friend to suppress the riots in Southern Laos. Together with friendly units in the 2nd Corps, Regiment 101E, Division 325 helped the Cambodian people destroy the genocidal Pol Pot gang. From Cambodia, in March 1979, in the formation of the 2nd Corps, the Regiment quickly mobilized to the northern border, guarding the Ha Giang border, ready to carry out combat missions to protect the northern border of the Fatherland.

That is the current 101st Regiment of the 325th Division, 12th Corps.

Throughout 70 years of building, fighting and growing, generations of cadres and soldiers of the Regiment have overcome all difficulties and hardships, constantly trained and strived to successfully complete all assigned tasks. With the achievements in fighting, building and defending the Fatherland, the Regiment has been awarded many Military Exploit Medals and War Exploit Medals of various types. The Regiment is honored to have two comrades awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the State. On June 3, 1976, the National Assembly and the Government signed a decision to honor the Regiment with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces.

The author (2nd left) at the 50th Anniversary of Long Thanh Liberation Day, April 28, 2025.

It is extremely happy for me personally that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day, as a veteran of the Information Platoon, Battalion 1, Regiment 101, on April 5, 2025, I had the opportunity to revisit my old unit. During an intimate meal with the comrades, officers and soldiers of the Regiment, the unit representative told me that entering a new revolutionary stage, the officers and soldiers of the Regiment continue to promote tradition, build a "revolutionary, disciplined, elite, gradually modern" Regiment, contributing to the construction and solid protection of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

I was really impressed with what I witnessed that day about the living, studying and training conditions of the entire unit: spacious houses, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, dining halls, classrooms, toilets... all were orderly, neat and clean, exuding the spirit of discipline of the Army and reflecting the reality of the increasingly improved lives of officers and soldiers.

At the invitation of the Liaison Committee of the Veterans Association of Regiment 101, on April 28, 2025, I was honored to participate in the event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Long Thanh Liberation Day, jointly organized by Long Thanh City and Regiment 101. In joy and tears, I met here again my comrades who had gone through life and death with me during the years of fighting on the battlefield. Meeting each other with eyes and hands full of joy, the emotion choked with many old memories flooded back. Together we mentioned the names of our fallen comrades, our beloved comrades who have become the symbol of "Forever Twenty" - the symbol of ideals, beliefs, and reasons for living for today's generations and forever in the future. Their blood was shed along the length of the country, they sacrificed right at the gateway to Saigon before the hour of victory, so that today we can live in the full joy of happiness, peace and national unity.

And I know, in the sacred emotion, wherever we are, whatever we do, we will continue to follow your example, continue to contribute our small part to the cause for which you fought and sacrificed; to be worthy of you, worthy of those who have fallen for the eternal existence of the Fatherland.

HO NGOC THANG (Germany)

 

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/phong-su-dieu-tra/phong-su/trung-doan-101-cua-toi-844755