Martyr Tô Vĩnh Diện - The hero who used his body to block a cannon wheel.

Comrade Tô Vĩnh Diện (1924-1954) was the first hero of the anti-aircraft artillery force to fall on the Điện Biên Phủ front. He was posthumously awarded the Second Class Military Merit Order and the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and the State. At the time of his death, he was the squad leader of a 37mm anti-aircraft artillery unit in Company 827, Battalion 394, Air Defense Regiment 367.

Hero To Vinh Dien - the courageous 26-year-old artillery squad leader who sacrificed himself to save artillery during the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. Photo: VNA archives.

Exemplary, leading the way, and outstandingly fulfilling assigned tasks: Comrade Tô Vĩnh Diện was born in 1924 in Nông Trường commune, Nông Cống district (now Triệu Sơn district), Thanh Hóa province. In 1946, he joined the local militia. In 1949, he volunteered to join the army, fighting in many positions and units. He was always exemplary, leading the way, and outstandingly fulfilling assigned tasks, and was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam . In May 1953, our army established the first anti-aircraft artillery units to prepare for a major battle. Tô Vĩnh Diện was summoned to join the soon-to-be-established anti-aircraft artillery force. When the anti-aircraft unit was established, he and his unit went to Nanning, Guangxi province (China) for training. During his training, To Vinh Dien was appointed Deputy Platoon Leader of Company 829, Battalion 394, Regiment 367, and was admitted to the Vietnam Labor Party (now the Communist Party of Vietnam). In December 1953, To Vinh Dien and his unit returned to Vietnam and immediately marched to Dien Bien Phu to prepare for the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. He was assigned to Company 827, Battalion 394, Air Defense Regiment 367, as a squad leader of a 37mm anti-aircraft artillery unit. He bravely sacrificed himself by using his body to wedge the artillery wheels. From January 16th to 24th, 1954, with the assistance of infantry and engineers, artillery units, including To Vinh Dien's unit, began moving artillery by hand to their assembly points to participate in the Dien Bien Phu Campaign. During the approximately 1,000km march and while pulling artillery through difficult and arduous stretches, To Vinh Dien always volunteered to drive the artillery, setting an example and encouraging his comrades to safely bring the artillery to the assembly point. To ensure the victory of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign, on January 26, 1954, the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command decided to change the combat plan from "Quick attack, quick victory" to "Steady attack, steady advance." Artillery units received orders from the Dien Bien Phu Campaign Command to coordinate with infantry in pulling artillery out, including To Vinh Dien's unit. Pulling artillery in was already arduous and difficult, but pulling it out was even more challenging and treacherous. Whenever they encountered dangerous stretches of road, To Vinh Dien always volunteered to take the most difficult positions to ensure the safety of the artillery. On the night of February 1, 1954, it was raining, the road was slippery, and while hauling the artillery, they reached Chuoi Slope – a steep 70-degree slope with a narrow and dangerous curve – where To Vinh Dien and his comrade Ty volunteered to drive the artillery. Midway, the winch cable broke, and the artillery plummeted down the slope. To Vinh Dien calmly held the steering wheel, steering the artillery straight down the road. Unfortunately, one of the four towing cables broke again, causing the artillery to accelerate even faster, and Comrade Ty was thrown into the stream. In that perilous situation, To Vinh Dien shouted to his comrades, "Better to sacrifice ourselves than not protect the artillery!" and let go of the steering wheel, running forward and using his body to wedge the artillery's wheels in place. The artillery became stuck, tilted against the mountainside, and came to a complete stop. The unit managed to stop the artillery and pull To Vinh Dien out. When his comrades came to his rescue, he only managed to ask, "Is the artillery alright?" before collapsing from exhaustion and dying. It was 2:30 AM on February 1, 1954. The selfless act of Tô Vĩnh Diện in saving the artillery was admired by the entire front, serving as an example for safely transporting the artillery. He was awarded the First Class Military Merit Medal. On May 7, 1956, Comrade Tô Vĩnh Diện was posthumously awarded the Second Class Military Merit Medal and the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces by the Party and the State according to Decision No. 118/LCT. Relics of Martyr Tô Vĩnh Diện at the Điện Biên Phủ Victory Museum: The Điện Biên Phủ Historical Victory Museum's exhibition system contains thousands of valuable documents and artifacts, including a special group of relics of Hero of the People's Armed Forces Tô Vĩnh Diện. These artifacts, though simple, rustic, and small, hold historical value and sacred sentiment. - The knife: made of steel, measuring 40cm in length and 5.2cm in blade width. This is a relic closely associated with Comrade Tô Vĩnh Diện. According to Comrade Tran Quoc Tran, former platoon leader of Comrade To Vinh Dien, on the afternoon of February 1, 1954, Comrade To Vinh Dien used this knife in the forest to cut trees to camouflage the artillery, avoiding detection by French aircraft.

- Canteen: Measuring 18cm in height, 3.3cm in diameter at the mouth, and 37cm in circumference, it is made of military- green aluminum. The inscription "Pham 83" is on the canteen. This canteen was issued to Comrade To Vinh Dien during his artillery training course in Nanning, China. - Iron bowl: Similar to the canteen, this iron bowl was also issued to Comrade To Vinh Dien during his artillery training course in Nanning, China. - Cotton jacket: This is the jacket Comrade To Vinh Dien wore throughout the artillery hauling operation. Despite the cold winter weather, the jacket was soaked with sweat from hauling the cannons. Although faded, its historical value remains intact, serving as proof of the determination and courage of Comrade To Vinh Dien in particular and the Dien Bien soldiers in general. Currently, the remains of martyr To Vinh Dien have been collected and interred at the A1 Hill Cemetery in Dien Bien City, Dien Bien Province. The site of the old hand-pulled artillery route has been rebuilt, featuring a magnificent monument depicting the scene of Comrade To Vinh Dien's artillery platoon pulling a cannon through the forest and uphill to the battlefield. A memorial plaque has also been erected at the place where Comrade To Vinh Dien sacrificed his life, honoring his selfless act of "for the country." - The 37mm cannon, serial number 510681, manufactured in the Soviet Union in 1939 (currently on display at the Air Defense - Air Force Museum), associated with the sacrifice of martyr To Vinh Dien, was recognized as a National Treasure in the first batch (October 1, 2012) by the Prime Minister, along with 29 other representative artifacts in the system of national museums and historical sites of Vietnam. - The name of Martyr To Vinh Dien has been given to many streets and schools in many provinces and cities across the country. [Source: Portraits of Heroes of the Ho Chi Minh Era, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2002, p. 162; Stories of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, People's Army Publishing House, Hanoi, 2024, pp. 190, 191]

Hoang Yen (compiled)