Which Vietnamese general was awarded the title of Hero by foreign countries at the age of 33?

As a national hero, he was the first Vietnamese to fly into space and also the first pilot to shoot down a B-52 in the "Dien Bien Phu in the air" campaign.

1. Who was the first Vietnamese person to be awarded the title of Hero by a foreign country at the age of 33?

• Major General Mai Van Cuong
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• Lieutenant General Tran Hanh
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• Lieutenant General Pham Tuan
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• Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat
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Exactly

According to the People's Army newspaper, in July 1980, Pham Tuan and Soviet cosmonaut Viktor Gorbatko flew into space on the Soyuz spacecraft from Baikonur airport (now in the Republic of Kazakhstan). He carried out his mission until July 31, then returned after 142 orbits around the earth.

During his time in orbit, Pham Tuan conducted many scientific experiments. He also took pictures of Vietnam from Earth orbit. With this achievement, in 1980, he was awarded the title of Hero of Labor of Vietnam, along with the Ho Chi Minh Medal. At that time, Lieutenant Colonel Pham Tuan was 33 years old. Also in 1980, Pham Tuan was honored to become one of the first foreigners to be awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, along with the Lenin Medal.

2. Before flying into space, what feat did he accomplish in the war?

• Destroying US aircraft fuel depot in the South
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• Leading the B52 bomber squadron
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• The first person to shoot down a B52 from the air
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• Capture Tan Son Nhat airport
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Exactly

On the night of December 27, 1972, Mr. Pham Tuan shot down a B-52 aircraft - considered the "inviolable flying fortress" of the US Air Force, becoming the first person to shoot down this type of aircraft from the air and return safely. With this achievement, on September 3, 1973, Senior Lieutenant Pham Tuan was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces of Vietnam. At that time, he belonged to the 5th Company, 921st Regiment, 371st Division.

3. What problem did he encounter during his space flight?

• Lost contact with the ground
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• The train engine stopped suddenly.
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• Oxygen equipment failure
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• Ship collides with meteorite
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Exactly

Sharing with the press in 2020 about the journey into space, Mr. Pham Tuan said: "When the ship was operating in space, we encountered a problem. The engine system was operating normally and then stopped. The ship only rotated in the direction of control. I was a bit worried, but Gorbatko said: "Turn off all systems, wait for the communication turn to report". At that time, the uneasy thought came back and my teacher and I could only lie down and wait, preparing to report.

Fortunately, after receiving instructions from the Center, the ship's engine returned to normal operation. At that time, we were flying in an intermediate orbit of more than 300 km.

4. Why was he not selected from the beginning when he took the pilot exam in 1965?

• Lack of flying experience
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• Nearsighted
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• Congenital heart valve defect
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• Height not up to standard
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Exactly

When he took the pilot exam in 1965, Pham Tuan was not initially selected due to a congenital heart valve defect. He had to go to the Soviet Union to study mechanics in the city of Krasnodar.

During that time, Pham Tuan continued to train and improve his health. In 1966, when the organization needed to recruit another person to study to become a pilot, Pham Tuan was chosen because Soviet doctors confirmed that, up to that time, his health was up to standard. Not many people could improve their health like him.

5. During his space trip in 1980, what special objects did he bring with him that represent Vietnam?

• A handwritten letter from Uncle Ho and Vietnamese history books
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• A handful of Ba Dinh soil, the national flag and Uncle Ho's Testament
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• A bundle of rice and the badge of the Vietnam People's Army
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• A brick from the Temple of Literature and a photoof the President
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Exactly

In an interview with VietNamNet , Mr. Pham Tuan said: “Flying into space is very limited in the amount and weight of things carried. Individuals are only allowed to bring letters and family photos. In addition, I was assigned to bring a handful of Ba Dinh soil, a copy of Uncle Ho's Declaration of Independence, Uncle Ho's Will, a photo of Uncle Ho, a photo of Mr. Le Duan, two badges of Uncle Ho and the national flag. All of these things were brought up, stamped on the ship, and officially recorded as having entered space.”

At exactly 1:33 a.m. on July 23, 1980 ( Hanoi time) at the Baikonur Cosmodrome (Soviet Union), the United Space 37 spacecraft piloted by Gorbatko and hero Pham Tuan was launched into space. When the Vietnamese national flag was raised, our country officially appeared on the international space travel map.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/vi-tuong-viet-nam-nao-duoc-nuoc-ngoai-tang-danh-hieu-anh-hung-khi-33-tuoi-2409658.html