According to information from the Ministry of National Defense, on December 7, President Luong Cuong signed a decision to posthumously award the Third Class Fatherland Protection Medal to 12 martyrs in Military Region 7 for their outstanding achievements in serving combat exercises, contributing to the cause of building socialism and defending the Fatherland.
The Military Region 7 Command said that tomorrow (December 8), the funeral of 12 heroic martyrs who died during a defensive combat exercise will be held at the Southern National Funeral Home (Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City). Along with that, there will be a ceremony to award the "Fatherland's Gratitude" Certificate and the "Brave Youth" Badge to representatives of the martyrs' families.
Previously, from December 1-4, Military Region 7 organized defensive combat drills in weather conditions at the end of the rainy season; with unusual thunderstorms, lightning and complex terrain.
At 8:27 p.m. on December 2, at the National Shooting Range Area 3 (Xuan Tam Commune, Xuan Loc District, Dong Nai Province), while carrying out the task of transporting explosives to the assembly location at the training ground, encountering bad weather, the working group consisting of a number of soldiers from Battalion 17, Division 5 paused and took a break near the location where the explosives were stored when suddenly the explosives exploded, causing many soldiers to be injured or killed.
On December 5, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, on behalf of the Government, signed a decision to award certificates of national merit to 12 soldiers.
The Prime Minister sent his best regards and deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the victims and directed the Ministry of National Defense to urgently organize a crime scene investigation, clarify the cause of the incident, and review and inspect all procedures in command and operation of the exercise.
The Prime Minister requested the organization to learn from experience, overcome limitations, and ensure absolute safety in training and exercises. Focus on stabilizing the mindset of officers and soldiers throughout the army; strictly maintain training and combat readiness according to regulations.
List of 12 martyrs includes:
1. Sergeant Dang Quoc Binh, Squad Leader, Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
2. Sergeant Nguyen Bui Truong An, Soldier of Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
3. Sergeant Trinh Doan The Anh, Soldier of Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
4. Sergeant Hong Chi Tai, Soldier of Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
5. Sergeant Truong Van Tien, Soldier of Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
6. Sergeant Thong Minh Kiet, Soldier of Platoon 7, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
7. Sergeant Vo Thanh Hieu, Soldier of Platoon 8, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
8. Sergeant Pham Ngoc Hieu, Soldier of Platoon 8, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
9. Sergeant Lam Hoang Nhat, Soldier of Platoon 8, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
10. Sergeant Nguyen Ho Gia Huy, Soldier of Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
11. Sergeant Bui Hy Lap, Soldier of Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
12. Sergeant Nguyen Trong Hoa, Soldier of Platoon 9, Company 3, Battalion 17, Division 5, Military Region 7.
