Fallen soldiers in Johnson Reef commemorated in Vietnam
VOV.VN - Activities are getting underway in Vietnamese localities to commemorate 64 naval men who sacrificed their lives in the Johnson Reef naval battle 36 years ago to protect the Fatherland’s sovereignty over sacred sea and islands.
On March 14, 1988, Chinese troops launched a surprising attack on Johnson Reef, known as Da Gac Ma, of Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in an attempt to take control over the reef.
Vietnamese navy officers and soldiers, mostly unarmed, formed a circle on the reef to protect the national flag. Without breaking up the circle, the Chinese military finally deployed frigates to open fire on the reef’s defenders, and in an unequal battle, 64 Vietnamese officers and soldiers laid down their lives in their mission to defend national sovereignty.
The March 14, 1988 battle has gone down in history as an indelible mark in the hearts of every Vietnamese.
A ceremony to commemorate the fallen soldiers was held in Quang Tri province on March 13 evening by the Liaison Board of the Gac Ma Soldiers in collaboration with relevant agencies.
War veterans and relatives of Gac Ma martyrs from Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Binh and Quang Tri provinces recalled the Gac Ma incident 36 years ago, sang heroic songs, lit candles, and released lanterns into the Gianh River in commemoration of the fallen soldiers.
On this occasion, Quang Tri province unveiled the plaque of a local street named after heroic martyr Tran Van Phuong, one of the 64 fallen soldiers.
Meanwhile, the Khanh Hoa provincial People’s Committee held a solemn ceremony at the Gac Ma Soldiers Memorial on March 14 morning to commemorate the fallen soldiers.
The provincial officials and people offered incense and paid tribute to the heroic martyrs who laid down their lives to protect the Fatherland’s sovereignty over the sea and islands.
