After the August 1945 Revolution, I attended the National Guard nursing class and was sent to work for Company 512, Phu-Yen Regiment 81 (later named Regiment 115). My Company’s operational area is in Muong Coi, Suoi Thai (Ban Thai) in Son La province.

Our tasks are mobilizing the people, building a system of local political organizations, suppressing reactionaries and bandits, and organizing the evacuation into secret shacks prepared in case of enemy attacks, etc. My company’s troops were mainly comrades from Cao Bang and Bac Kan province, who were used to living in mountainous areas, so they rarely got sick. In addition to taking care of the soldiers’ health, I also participated in medical examination and treatment for the people, effectively contributing to the mass mobilization work, so I was loved by officers and soldiers.

Because the Company Political Comrade knew I had finished my studies at secondary school, he asked me to do more clerical work for the Company. One day, Company Commander Trieu Van Hinh gave me the Party Charter to read and asked my ideas and feelings after reading it. I confidently stated: “I’m not yet a Party member, but I think my daily work is to serve the Army, the Party and the revolution.” He completely agreed and told me to try harder. If I have any problems at work, he is willing to help me.

At the beginning of April 1948, there was news that the enemy was organizing a raid and the soldiers launched a sortie. I also quickly brought a first aid kit and joined a platoon to fight the enemy. During the maneuver, an enemy mortar fell near where I lay, a soldier got hurt. Despite the attacking fire, I tried my best to crawl closer, bandaged the wounded soldiers, and then found a safe place to hide. When the enemy withdrew, I requested someone to accompany me to escort and carry the wounded soldiers to the Regiment Hospital for treatment. I was praised for handling the problem well. So, since this is the first time I fulfilled my professional duties, I had more confidence in the job I chose.

I was surprised that this incident was reported to the unit and a few days later there was an announcement that I was admitted to the Party. On May 1 in 1948, the admission ceremony took place. At that time, the Party had not yet been made public, so the location of the admission ceremony was quite secret. Mr. Trieu Van Hinh and another comrade were the introducers. When I stood in front of the Party flag, raising my hand to salute and take the oath, I couldn’t help feeling emotional.

After overcoming challenges, I was officially recognized as a Party member. Then, I decided to take charge of military medicine at the Phung Chi Kien Military School located in Cuong Thinh commune which is about 5km from Yen Bai province. But in just a short time, my superiors assigned me to the Political Working Committee of the Military Medical Service of Inter-Region 10. At this time, the Committee only had about 3 or 4 people, the Party Cell was established but not yet qualified to elect the Executive Committee.

Comrade Thao was appointed the Party Cell’s secretary. Mr. Thao is very enthusiastic, honest, straightforward, but sometimes hot-tempered and quite principled. Therefore, I joined hands with Mr. Thao to conduct activities of the Party. Now I still feel fortunate to be trained by the Army and join the Party when I was young. Growing up as a military medical officer in the resistance war gave me many valuable experiences for my job.

Written by Nguyen Tu, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, former Deputy Director of the Vietnam Military Medical University.

Translated by Tran Huyen Trang