The doctor went through two wars

Former Director of the Department of Health - Lieutenant Colonel, People's Physician Tran Tan Tai

Born into a family with a revolutionary tradition, at the age of 16, Dr. Tran Tan Tai joined the resistance against the French. After a period of activity, the young man Tran Tan Tai was sent by the organization to study nursing. From then on, he was attached to the medical profession, from the resistance war against the French to the resistance war against the Americans, the southwestern border war and even after the country's reunification.

In 1954, he was ordered to gather in the North to prepare forces for the liberation of the South. During that time, he devoted all his time to studying to become a physician and then a doctor. In 1963, following the call of his homeland, he and the Special Reconnaissance Battalion " cut through Truong Son " returned to the battlefield in the South, contributing to the liberation of his homeland.

- Reporter (PV): Sir, please share about a special memory - maybe a battle, a difficult rescue or the sacrifice of a comrade that you still remember to this day?

Lieutenant Colonel, Senior Lieutenant Tran Tan Tai: Talking about memories, there are certainly many, but I will tell you about a time when the medical team faced the enemy in Tay Ninh . That time, although we repelled them, a female nurse was sacrificed.

In the dry season of 1967, the enemy raided our Regional Command base in Tay Ninh. The raid lasted more than a month. The enemy searched and attacked our military base. After 10 days, they discovered and raided the Battalion's medical quarters. That morning, as usual, we woke up early, ate rice to be ready to fight. We were sitting around drinking tea in the Hoang Cam kitchen when the guard announced that the Americans had arrived. We quickly went to the bunker to fight. I told my comrades to open fire when we saw the enemy clearly.

The gunfight only lasted a few minutes before they retreated. We collected 2 jungle knives, 3 ammunition clips, and a helmet with bullet holes. At that time, we reported to our superiors to ask for help because the medical equipment was not enough to hold the position. In that battle, Ms. Hong sacrificed herself. Until now, I still visit her family from time to time and light incense for her.

- Reporter: Among the battles you participated in, which battle did the medical force have to be highly determined to complete the mission?

Lieutenant Colonel, Senior Lieutenant Tran Tan Tai: Actually, during the resistance war, military medical officers and party members like us were all devoted to the wounded and the soldiers, not afraid of hardship or fierceness. In late 1974 and early 1975, I was the leader of the surgical team, fighting side by side with the unit to attack the enemy base at Ba Den Mountain. It was a fierce battle, but in the end, we won, forcing the enemy to retreat. The US-puppet communications base at Ba Den Mountain was flattened, and we took control of the base.

In that battle, many of our officers and soldiers sacrificed their lives and the medical station received and treated 80 wounded soldiers in conditions of lack of medicine and medical supplies. We were responsible for transporting the wounded, as well as for food, nutrition, treatment, and care for our comrades. Just bringing them back to the rear was extremely difficult and dangerous. The mountain roads were difficult to travel on and the enemy fired artillery at them unexpectedly. The medical staff had to protect the wounded soldiers, and they could not be allowed to be injured again! Medical staff must not be afraid of anything, must try to overcome difficulties and encourage their comrades to both fight and take care of the wounded soldiers.

- Reporter: Having gone through two wars to defend the country, and also doing international duty to help friends in Cambodia, could you please share your feelings about the day of peace ?

Lieutenant Colonel, Senior Lieutenant Tran Tan Tai: Until now, the feeling of joy and happiness is still intact when mentioning the day of national reunification. I am lucky and happy to have witnessed the day of peace and to join hands in building the country, clearly seeing the changes in my homeland. Not to mention far away, the Long An health sector after liberation had almost nothing, was small and lacking a lot! When I returned to Long An province to do management work, I joined hands with the government and colleagues to promote the construction of a general hospital, purchase more ambulances, etc. Now, in addition to Long An General Hospital, the province also has Dong Thap Muoi Regional General Hospital, many hospitals invested by the private sector and a system of well-invested medical centers. A remarkable change, also the beauty of peace.

- Reporter: Thank you for taking the time for Long An Newspaper and Radio and Television Station./.

Guilin (realized)

Source: https://baolongan.vn/nguoi-thay-thuoc-di-qua-hai-cuoc-chien-a193672.html