Admiral Giap Van Cuong meets sapper soldiers on Tien Nu island. File photo.

In March 1977, Cuong, who was holding the post of Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, was appointed as commander-in-chief of the Vietnamese navy. From the very first months in Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, Cuong expressed himself as a talented commander with strategic vision.

As a commander of the force safeguarding national marine sovereignty, Cuong had a sharp mind when he consistently recommended the Politburo and the Central Military Commission to shift focus on investment and carry out measures to safeguard Truong Sa and the continental shelf in the southern region.

In February 1980, Cuong was sent back to the Ministry of Defence. At that time, the tension was seen in the struggle against hostile forces as they showed clear intention to encroach and obtain Vietnamese seas and islands. Although he left the post of Admiral, Cuong still kept a close watch and concerned about plans to protect the Truong Sa archipelago.

In early 1984, General Giap Van Cuong was reassigned to Commander of the Navy for the second time. Shortly after resuming the position, Gen. Giap Van Cuong continued developing and implementing plans and tactics to safeguard the Truong Sa archipelago that has been on his mind for months.

He made some daring and unexpected decisions in early 1988 when directing the naval forces to put all their strengths to safeguard Truong Sa Islands. Owing to his daring direction, soldiers on board the ship HQ 505 Anh Hung (Hero) managed to run the ship aground during the battle in the Gac Ma sea area on March 14, 1988 and successfully defended Collins reef to protect the sovereignty of Vietnam.

A corner of Truong Sa Lon island. Photo: Ngan Giang.

Gen. Giap Van Cuong was described as a person with a kind mind and good sense of any situation. He was able to make correct predictions about what would occur and actively respond to the situation with bold and timely decisions when instructing the defense of the Spratly islands.

Without the brilliant, bold and timely guidance of Gen. Van Giap Cuong as the Commander of the Navy, the protection of the Spratly Islands’ sovereignty today would be more difficult and complicated, said Gen. Le Ke Lam, former director of the Vietnam Naval Academy.

In 1990, Gen Cuong was seriously ill and passed away while he was guiding the CV90 maneuver to support Truong Sa islands, making a great loss not only for the naval forces but also for the country.

He had spent nearly five decades to work for the military, including nine years for the Navy, and dedicated himself to the country until his last breath. He was gone with his head held high as a naval soldier with a strong belief “islands are home, the sea is hometown.”

Duc Phuong - Van Anh