The Liaison Committee for Truong Sa Veterans of Da Nang Metropolis (1984-1988) held an incense providing ceremony on the Nai Nam Village Communal Home commemorating 64 Vietnamese troopers who died defending reefs within the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago on March 14, 1988, and misplaced Gac Ma (Johnson South) Reef.
A stele within the village is engraved with the names of 9 troopers from Hoa Cuong Bac Ward (Hai Chau District) who died within the Gac Ma battle after they had been simply of their twenties.
Martyred at sea, their stays haven’t been discovered.
Le Thi Lan, 79, resident of Cam Le District and mom of soldier Nguyen Huu Loc, mentioned: “My son died when he was 21, a bit greater than a yr after enlistment. I miss him a lot. My eager for him has by no means pale.”
Nguyen Ba Hung, brother of soldier Nguyen Ba Cuong, trembled with grief as he checked out his brother’s identify on the stele. He had left residence in Quang Nam Province early within the morning to attend the memorial ceremony in Da Nang.
“On today, my coronary heart longs for my brother,” he mentioned.
Colonel Hoang Duy Lap, former commander of the navy’s Engineer Regiment No. 83 who straight fought within the battle at Spratly Archipelago in 1988, mentioned the troopers are inspirational examples for future generations to defend and develop the nation. He mentioned that right now’s and future generations should not overlook the martyrs.
Following the incense providing ceremony, the veterans, kinfolk and others launched flower rafts on the Han River in reminiscence of the martyrs.
One other memorial service for the fallen in Gac Ma Battle might be held Monday by their comrades-in-arms on the Man Quang Bridge in Da Nang’s Son Tra District.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid floral tributes and burned incense Saturday on the Gac Ma memorial within the central province of Khanh Hoa.
Early March 14, 1988, the Vietnamese Navy’s Brigade 125 despatched three ships with practically 100 officers and troopers to the Gac Ma (Johnson South), Co Lin (Collins or Johnson North) and Len Dao (Lansdowne) reefs within the Spratly Archipelago.
The troopers had been transporting development supplies on to Gac Ma when 4 Chinese language vessels arrived.
A second-lieutenant and two troopers then used a small boat to hurry to the island to guard the nationwide flag, however the Chinese language troopers opened hearth, killing the officer on the spot.
Because the battle continued, one of many Vietnamese ships was broken and sank. One other ship with 18 aboard was additionally attacked whereas defending Len Dao.
The third ship managed to plant a flag on Co Lin that morning and efficiently defended the island.
Later the identical day, three different Vietnamese naval ships arrived on the web site to help the protection of Co Lin and Len Dao. However Chinese language forces had occupied Gac Ma by then.
A complete of 64 Vietnamese troopers had been killed within the battle, and they’re remembered because the Gac Ma troopers.
How Vietnam misplaced 64 troopers in 1988 Spratly battle. Video by VnExpress
