A rare village in Hai Duong still has 10 special forces soldiers

Indomitable, steadfast

Every year, on September 2, Mr. Lam The Huyen (76 years old, former soldier of Special Forces Battalion 28, Division 4, Military Region 4) and his teammates go to the cemetery to burn incense for the heroic martyrs of his hometown who "died to death for the survival of the Fatherland".

Approaching the graves of his comrades who had served in the same unit, Mr. Huyen said: "These are the graves of heroic martyrs Nguyen Duc Luong, Nguyen Van Toan, and Pham Van Chin. These brothers and I were from the same village, enlisted on the same day, and lived in the same unit. We fought side by side, but I was the only one lucky enough to return home to my family."

In the spring of 1968, Mr. Lam The Huyen and his friends volunteered to join the army to fight the enemy. He and his comrades were assigned to the 28th Special Forces Battalion. This special forces battalion had the task of secretly approaching and infiltrating deep into enemy units stationed in Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Binh Duong... to both gather information to provide to infantry units and coordinate to fight "blossoming in the heart of the enemy"...

The 28th Special Forces Battalion is often divided into many different attack groups, each group has 5-7 soldiers. Mr. Huyen is small, resourceful, and agile, so he is often assigned to do reconnaissance missions. This is an extremely important but very dangerous mission. Usually, at 1-2 am, he and his teammates cut the barbed wire fence and slowly approach the enemy unit to observe and collect information. There are bases that require several months of reconnaissance for our troops to have a basis for a sure attack and a sure victory. "We disguise our bodies very carefully with fat mixed with charcoal powder. But when approaching the enemy base, we must be very skillful, flexible, and have very smooth and meticulous coordination. Just a small mistake can result in immediate loss of life. Fortunately, my reconnaissance group often retreats safely," Mr. Huyen shared.

Mr. Huyen's voice suddenly became choked up, his eyes wrinkled, filled with tears as he watched the incense smoke gently drifting away: "On April 1, 1969, 59 comrades from the 28th Special Forces Battalion, including 3 brothers from Quan Loc village who enlisted on the same day as me, heroically sacrificed themselves at an enemy base in the Suoi Day area of ​​Tan Chau district, Tay Ninh province. That was a heroic battle of the battalion. The 59 brothers killed more than 450 American soldiers, but because the enemy was too numerous..."

In addition to Mr. Lam The Huyen, Quan Loc village has 9 other former special forces soldiers, namely Mr. Phung Thanh Mien (90 years old, 70 years in the party) and Mr. Phung Duy Dan, Lam Van Hung, Doan Trung Ty, Vu Hong Phong, Luong Xuan Phai, Trinh Xuan Binh, Tran Dung, Doan Hong Yen. These special forces soldiers are now old, 7 of whom directly participated in the fight to protect the Fatherland.

Mr. Phung Thanh Mien is considered a "teacher" of the remaining former special forces soldiers of Quan Loc village. Although he is old this year, he is still very clear-headed. He said: "I participated in two resistance wars against the French and the Americans. As a special force soldier, from 1966-1968, I was in the 330th Special Forces Battalion, fighting in the fierce Quang Tri battlefield. Later, I returned to train special forces soldiers. The special forces in this village who directly participated in the fighting were all trained by me."

During his mission in the Quang Tri battlefield, Mr. Mien specialized in reconnaissance missions. That was the time when he had to face the most dangers. He said: "There were reconnaissance trips that lasted 15 days, going through 5-7 layers of fences, in the sun and rain, silently and secretly lying in the middle of the enemy's siege, placing explosives and collecting information. I participated in reconnaissance of 3-4 enemy units, all the information was useful for our troops to launch attacks and win," Mr. Mien said.

Later, Mr. Mien returned to work as a trainer at the 14th Regiment of the Special Forces Command and participated in the Northern Border Campaign in 1979. He does not remember how many generations of special forces soldiers he trained, but he knows that many of his students later grew up and held important positions in the army, some of whom were members of the Party Central Committee.

Continuing the tradition

Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Xuan Binh, 69 years old, former officer of the Special Forces Department of Military Region 3, is one of the sons of Quan Loc who has continued the tradition of previous generations. Before retiring, he spent 38 years training special forces. "That tradition is still being promoted every day. I also have 2 children who are officers in the Vietnam People's Army," Mr. Binh proudly said.

Dozens of Mr. Mien's children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are also serving in the army. The remaining former special forces soldiers in Quan Loc village also have brothers, children, and grandchildren who have served and are serving in the army. Quan Loc village has the most military officers and soldiers in the commune. Tien Dong commune also currently has the most military officers and soldiers in Tu Ky district, with nearly 150 people.

Comrade Pham Minh Thao, Standing Deputy Secretary and Chairman of Tien Dong Commune People's Council, said that the whole commune currently has 11 former officers and soldiers of the special forces, of which Quan Loc village alone has 10 people, and most of them are party members. Despite their advanced age, everyone is enthusiastic, exemplary, and encourages their children and grandchildren to participate in all local movements and campaigns.

Not only are they historical witnesses, they are also shining examples for today's young generation to learn from.