Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang attended the ceremony on December 28 in Ho Chi Minh City to confer the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces on General Le Van Dung, former Member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat and former Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs (GDP).

GDP’s Chief General Nguyen Trong Nghia also attended the event.

At the event, acting under the authorization of the President of the State, General Phan Van Giang handed over the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces conferred on General Le Van Dung to his family members.

General Le Van Dung rose from the ranks of an ordinary soldier, was tempered through combat, and rendered exceptionally outstanding contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party, the State, and the military. During the resistance war against the U.S. imperialists for national salvation, he joined the revolution at an early age and directly fought on fierce battlefields in southern Vietnam. In Binh Gia Campaign (1964–1965), while serving as a combat soldier, he and his comrades skillfully and bravely ambushed and blocked the enemy’s M113 armored vehicle platoon and an infantry battalion, destroying five M113 armored personnel carriers and repelling fierce enemy attacks. For these achievements, he was awarded the title of “Ap Bac Combat Soldier.”

I  n a raid at Trang Bang, Tay Ninh province in 1968, General Le Van Dung approached the enemy and used a RPG-2 grenade launcher (B40) to destroy one M113 armored personnel carrier and one bulldozer that was digging enemy fortifications. With this feat, he was awarded the title of “Hero in destroying mechanized vehicles.”

During Ho Chi Minh Campaign, while serving as Political Commissar of Regiment 1, Division 9, Army Corps 4 (now Army Corps 34), General Le Van Dung, together with the Party Committee and Chain-of-Command of Regiment 1, led the unit to kill and wound 1,372 enemy troops and shoot down 16 aircraft, making significant contribution to the liberation of the South and national reunification.

Later, while holding senior leadership positions in the military and the Party, particularly as GDP’s Chief, General Le Van Dung made important contribution to building a politically strong military; firmly upholding the principle of the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over all aspects of the military; and building a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modernized People’s Army.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Phan Van Giang highlighted the role and marks left by General Le Van Dung. He said, “Having served in many positions, from soldier to political and military officer at various levels, and eventually becoming a senior leader of the Party and the military, General Le Van Dung has made tremendous contributions, playing an important role in the victories of many battles and major campaigns, as well as in the cause of national liberation, construction, and defense of the Fatherland. He has always embodied the qualities of Uncle Ho’s soldiers, serving as an exemplary model of the spirit of resolute determination to fight and win, and maintaining close bonds with officers, soldiers, and the people.”

The Defense Minister highly valued the role and enduring imprint of General Le Van Dung during his tenure as GDP’s Chief, noting that he consistently upheld and strengthened the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over the military; devoted great attention to building cadres at all levels; effectively implemented policies for military rear services; and reinforced the close, flesh-and-blood solidarity between the military and the people, an essential foundation of the combat strength of the Vietnam People’s Army.

General Phan Van Giang expressed his confidence that officers and soldiers of the entire military would continue to study and follow the example of General Le Van Dung and previous generations of leaders; constantly train and cultivate themselves; enhance their professional competence and capacity; uphold fine traditions; maintain unity and solidarity; and strive to successfully fulfill all assigned tasks, firmly building and defending the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the new revolutionary period.

General Le Van Dung awarded title of Hero of People’s Armed Forces