Memorial in the middle of the ocean…

During the voyage to DK1 in early 2025, the memorial service for the DK1 platform martyrs who sacrificed their lives while performing the task of affirming and protecting the sacred sovereignty of the Fatherland's sea and islands in the waters of the southern continental shelf was solemnly and movingly held at the DK1/18 platform area of Phuc Tan cluster. Strangely, this sea area, which had been full of big waves and strong winds for many days before, suddenly became calm and the sky was clear. When the ceremony was announced, all members of the delegation quickly arrived in neat and solemn attire.

Lieutenant Colonel Trieu Thanh Tung, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Naval Region 2 Command, solemnly stepped forward to pay his respects. His deep, emotional eulogy left everyone speechless with the heroic stories of the naval soldiers on the sacred sea of the Fatherland. How could one not admire the noble sacrifice of the officers and soldiers of the DK1/3 Platform in the Phuc Tan cluster when a storm of level 12 made landfall on the night of December 4 and early morning of December 5, 1990.

At that moment, Senior Lieutenant Tran Huu Quang upheld his role as a party cell secretary, encouraging his teammates to stick together and support each other to fight the fierce waves. Near death, he gave his personal lifebuoy and last piece of dry food to the weakest soldier, giving his life to his teammates, and then peacefully passed away into eternity.

Memorial ceremony for martyrs of DK1 platform.

The delegates were also moved to remember the heroic sacrifice of the officers and soldiers of DK1/6 Platform in Phuc Nguyen Cluster in the face of the ferocity and devastation of storm No. 8 in late December 1998. Although the platform was tilted and shook violently... they still persevered, maintained communication with the Command Center, calmly, bravely, and resiliently fought against the storms in the dark night with the spirit of "as long as there are people, as long as there are stations", determined to hold on until the end. But human strength is limited. The platform collapsed, all 9 officers and soldiers were thrown into the sea.

Captain Vu Quang Chuong, Commander of DK1/6 Platform, Professional Warrant Officer Le Duc Hong, Professional Warrant Officer Nguyen Van An sacrificed their lives, forever transforming into the waves of the ocean. It was even more heartbreaking when Nguyen Van An passed away, leaving behind endless pain for his young wife and newborn child who had not yet seen his father. The act of trying to the end to maintain contact with the mainland when the platform collapsed by martyr, Warrant Officer Le Duc Hong, was also remembered. He passed away forever and only had time to say goodbye to the mainland via walkie-talkie...

"The example of your sacrifice has become a beautiful, shining symbol of the heroic qualities of naval soldiers in the new era."

Colonel, Deputy Chief of Political Department, Naval Region 2 Command

At this point, everyone was so moved that they could not hold back their tears. Everyone took a moment to remember the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed and remained forever in the middle of the ocean. Each person released flowers and paper cranes carrying words of gratitude and wishes for peace …

Sharing about the heroic tradition of DK1, Colonel Vu Duy Luu, Deputy Chief of Political Affairs of the Naval Region 2 Command, said that on July 5, 1989, the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (now the Prime Minister) issued a directive on the construction of an "Economic - Scientific Service Cluster" on the southern continental shelf of the Vung Tau - Con Dao special zone (abbreviated as DK1). With the command "At any cost, we must preserve the sacred continental shelf of the Fatherland", the naval soldiers of the 171st Naval Brigade urgently boarded ships to set sail, guarding the country's sovereign waters. Implementing the directive of the Ministry of National Defense on organizing forces to take over and guard the platforms, the Navy decided to establish the DK1 Management Framework.

From 1989 to 1991, 7 platforms were built. However, due to the strong wind and waves, limited experience in platform construction, and lack of stability, 2 platforms collapsed. From 1992 to 1998, the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy decided to build 13 more platforms. At the same time, the DK1 Management Framework was upgraded to the DK1 Battalion, under the direct command of the 171st Naval Brigade. During this period, after a period of use and the effects of the weather, the platforms were degraded, and 3 platforms collapsed. In this situation, from 2010 to 2017, the Ministry of National Defense and the Navy decided to upgrade and build 14 new platforms.

The soldiers of DK1/21 platform always hold their guns firmly for the peace of the Fatherland.

36 years since the first DK1 platform was established, up to now, 21 DK1 platforms have become solid milestones affirming the sovereignty of the Fatherland in the East Sea. Generations of officers and soldiers of the DK1 Battalion, Naval Region 2 Command have put aside their personal feelings, great ambitions and aspirations of youth to be present and perform their duties on the platforms on the southern continental shelf. The soldiers have clearly demonstrated their determination, not afraid of hardships and sacrifices, always steadfastly holding on, guarding and firmly protecting the milestones and sovereignty of the Fatherland. At that moment between the line of life and death, they clearly demonstrated their infinite loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland and the People, determined to hold on to the end, accepting sacrifices to excellently complete their missions.

DK1 platform stands tall like a steel fortress, a symbol of the strong will and indomitable spirit of the Vietnamese people. The sacrifices and losses of previous generations for the cause of protecting the sacred sovereignty of the sea and islands of the Fatherland are a reminder to the hearts of today's platform soldiers of the heroic tradition and noble ideals of living for the Fatherland and the People.

As shared by Senior Lieutenant Le Xuan Quy, Political Commissar of DK1/21 Platform: “We are always proud to be on duty at the outpost of the Fatherland’s sovereignty. The officers and soldiers on the platform are always steadfast in their thoughts and determined to complete all tasks.”

Or as Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Duc, Battery Captain, DKI/21 Platform, believes, youth is to contribute and do not ask what the Fatherland has done for us. “Everyone can rest assured, we are here to always hold our guns firmly to protect our homeland’s sea and islands, with the motto “as long as there are people, there will be platforms” to ensure peace for the country and the people”, Lieutenant Nguyen Trung Duc sent a message to the mainland.

Minh Chi

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/an-ninh-quoc-phong/202507/tuong-niem-giua-trung-khoi-29f1a67/