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Hoàng Minh Thảo (born Tạ Thái An) (1921–2008) was a colonel-general in the
In the Vietnam war, Gen. Thảo served nearly 10 years (1966 – 1975) in
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 ...
active during the First Indochina War
The First Indochina War (generally known as the Indochina War in France, and as the Anti-French Resistance War in Vietnam, and alternatively internationally as the French-Indochina War) was fought between French Fourth Republic, France and Việ ...
, and the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War (1 November 1955 – 30 April 1975) was an armed conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia fought between North Vietnam (Democratic Republic of Vietnam) and South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam) and their allies. North Vietnam w ...
. He commanded Việt Cộng
The Viet Cong (VC) was an epithet and umbrella term to refer to the communist-driven armed movement and united front organization in South Vietnam. It was formally organized as and led by the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, and ...
forces 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 ...
and Battle of Ban Me Thuot
The Battle of Ban Me Thuot was a decisive battle of the Vietnam War which led to the complete destruction of South Vietnam's II Corps Tactical Zone. The battle was part of a larger North Vietnamese military operation known as Campaign 275 to c ...
.
Early years
Hoàng Minh Thảo was born as Tạ Thái An in Kim Động district of Hưng Yên province,Tonkin (French protectorate)
Tonkin (), or Bắc Kỳ (), was a French protectorate encompassing modern Northern Vietnam from 1883 to 1949. Like the French protectorate of Annam, Tonkin was still nominally ruled by the Vietnamese Nguyễn dynasty. In 1886, the French sepa ...
in October 1921.
Military career
During the First Indochina War, Hoàng Minh Thảo was assigned to the commander of in 1945, then commander of Military Region 4 in 1949. One year later, he was assigned to the commander of newly formed 304th Brigade. In the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ, Colonel Thảo commanded 304th Brigade besieging, attacking Isabelle positions (Vietnamese: phân khu Nam - Hồng Cúm). He was promoted to major general in 1959.
In the Vietnam war, Gen. Thảo served nearly 10 years (1966 – 1975) in Tây Nguyên
The Central Highlands (), South Central Highlands (), Western Highlands () or Midland Highlands () is a region located in the south central part of Vietnam. It contains the provinces of Đắk Lắk, Đắk Nông, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Lâ ...
battlefield . He was assigned Deputy Commander of Tây Nguyên front (B3 Front) in 1966, Commander of Tây Nguyên front in 1968, then Deputy Commander of Military Region 5 (includes both B3 and B1 Fronts) in 1974.
Awards and legacy
In 2023, CG Hoàng Minh Thảo was posthumously awarded theHero 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 ...
.
References