On August 1, at Cua Luc sea area, Bai Chay ward, Ha Long city, the Navy and Quang Ninh province held a memorial service for heroic martyrs and people who fought bravely and sacrificed in the first victory on August 2 and 5, 1964. Attending the memorial service were comrades: Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Secretary of the Party Committee, Political Commissar of the Navy; Nguyen Xuan Ky, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Quang Ninh Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; Trinh Thi Minh Thanh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Cao Tuong Huy, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Dang Xuan Phuong, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Provincial National Assembly Delegation; delegates representing the Navy Command, Border Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, Military Region 3, Air Defense - Air Force; veterans, heroes of the People's Armed Forces and a large number of local cadres and youth union members.
Exactly 60 years ago, on August 2 and 5, 1964, in its first combat deployment, the Vietnam People's Navy drove away the US destroyer Madoc. After the Madoc was driven out of our country's waters, on the night of August 4, 1964, the US imperialists staged the "Gulf of Tonkin Incident" to launch a "retaliatory" campaign called "Operation Pierce Arrow". On August 5, 1964, the US used dozens of modern fighter and attack aircraft, divided into 3 waves, to simultaneously attack our country's economic targets, bases, warehouses, and ship shelters along the coast from Gianh port (Quang Binh); Cua Hoi, Vinh, Ben Thuy (Nghe An); Lach Truong (Thanh Hoa) to Hon Gai, Bai Chay (Quang Ninh) in an attempt to destroy our Navy, starting a large-scale destructive war plan against the North.
In Quang Ninh province, at 1:35 p.m. on August 5, 1964, many groups of modern American jet planes from the 7th fleet flew in to bomb and shell our naval port in Bai Chay and some places in Hon Gai town.
With a high sense of vigilance and combat readiness, from the very first minute, naval and anti-aircraft artillery units bravely fought back enemy aircraft. Infantry soldiers, armed police, and militiamen closely coordinated with anti-aircraft artillery troops, creating a dense, multi-range anti-aircraft fire network.
In the first test fire, the army and people of Quang Ninh shot down 3 American planes, 2 of which crashed on the spot. Among them, Lieutenant E. Alvarez, piloting an A4D plane, was shot down by the 14.5mm gun platoon at 14:43 on August 5, 1964 and was captured alive at Hon Moi lagoon - Ha Long Bay.
The victory in the first battle on August 2 and 5, 1964 demonstrated the political and spiritual strength of the entire nation; the will to dare to fight, to be determined to fight and to know how to win of the Navy and the army and people of the North. In that battle, many officers, soldiers and people heroically fell and were wounded. Among them, 78 officers and soldiers of the Navy heroically sacrificed. Their blood soaked and blended into the sacred islands of the Fatherland, beautifying the glorious flag of the Party and the Fatherland, brightening the image of "Uncle Ho's soldiers", brightening the glorious history of the heroic Vietnam People's Army. They are shining examples of revolutionary heroism, selfless sacrifice for the Fatherland and the people.
In a solemn and respectful atmosphere, delegates reviewed the achievements of previous generations, remembered and expressed their infinite gratitude, and at the same time clearly recognized their great responsibility in the current cause of building and defending the Fatherland.
In his tribute to the heroic martyrs, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Bong, Political Commissar of the Navy, affirmed: The blood and bones of the heroic martyrs who were shed for the cause of national liberation have contributed to the increasingly rich and beautiful seas and islands of the Fatherland. The spirit of "dare to fight, determined to fight and know how to fight and win" of the First Victory has spread, permeated deeply and become an invaluable spiritual support for the Navy and the people and army of the whole country in the cause of building and defending the Fatherland.
Delegates laid wreaths, offered incense, released flowers and paper cranes at Cua Luc beach to express deep gratitude to the heroic martyrs and people who heroically sacrificed for the cause of national liberation, national reunification, and building and defending the Fatherland.
The ceremony to commemorate the heroic martyrs and people who sacrificed their lives in the First Victory of the Vietnam People's Navy is a noble humanitarian activity, demonstrating the spirit of "When drinking water, remember its source" of the entire nation and people of all generations. This is also a meaningful event, expressing the deep gratitude and pride of the people of Quang Ninh towards the 77th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day, July 27 (1947-2024).
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