Đàm Văn Ngụy (1927–2015) was a lieutenant-general in the

People's Army of Vietnam The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army (VPA; , , ), also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (), the People's Army () or colloquially the Troops ( ), is the national Military, military force of the Vietnam, S ...

(PAVN) active during all three Indochina Wars. He led the 7th Infantry Division in the Battle of An Lộc, and the 316th Division in the Battle of Ban Me Thuot.

Early years

Đàm Văn Ngụy was born in Thạch An District of

Cao Bằng province Cao Bằng is a province of the Northeast region of Vietnam. The province has borders with Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Bắc Kạn, and Lạng Sơn provinces within Vietnam. It also has a common international border with Guangxi province in Chi ...

on 1st May 1927. He joined

Việt Minh The Việt Minh (, ) is the common and abbreviated name of the League for Independence of Vietnam ( or , ; ), which was a communist-led national independence coalition formed at Pác Bó by Hồ Chí Minh on 19 May 1941. Also known as the Vi ...

in July 1942, then in January 1945.

Military career

In July 1956, Đàm Văn Ngụy was awarded the

Hero of the People's Armed Forces The Hero of the People's Armed Forces () is an honorary designation of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Criteria The title (and medal) of Hero of the People's Armed Force is awarded to individuals with "exceptionally outstanding achievements ...

. In February 1960, he was appointed to commander of the 174th Regiment of the 316th Division. In

Battle of Dak To The battle of Dak To () in Vietnam was a series of major engagements of the Vietnam War that took place between 3 and 23 November 1967, in Kon Tum Province, in the Central Highlands of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). The action at Đ ...

, Đàm Văn Ngụy commanded the 174th Regiment (Cao - Bắc - Lạng Regiment) (in the formation of the 1st Infantry Division) fighting against U.S. Army

173rd Airborne Brigade The 173rd Airborne Brigade ("Sky Soldiers") is an Airborne forces, airborne infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) of the United States Army based in Vicenza, Italy. It is the United States European Command's conventional airborne strategic respo ...

. In Battle of Lộc Ninh and

Battle of An Lộc The Battle of An Lộc was a major battle of the Vietnam War that lasted for 66 days and culminated in a victory for South Vietnam. The struggle for An Lộc, Bình Phước, An Lộc in 1972 was an important battle of the war, as South Vietname ...

, Senior Colonel Ngụy led the 7th Infantry Division blocking National Route 13 section between An Lộc and

Chơn Thành Chơn Thành is a town of Bình Phước province, in the region of Vietnam. As of 2021 the town had a population of 121,083. The town covers an area of 390.34 km2. The town seat lies at Hưng Long ward. Chơn Thành was formerly a rural ...

for 150 days from 5th April 1972 to 28th August 1972.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Đàm, Văn Ngụy 1927 births 2015 deaths Tày people People from Cao Bằng province People of the Tonkin Protectorate Viet Minh members Generals of the People's Army of Vietnam Members of the 6th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Members of the 7th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam North Vietnamese military personnel of the Vietnam War People of the First Indochina War Vietnamese military personnel of the Sino-Vietnamese War