Quang Ninh (VNA) – A ceremony will be held in the northern province of Quang Ninh to commemorate martyrs and people who died in the first victory of the Vietnam People’s Navy against the US forces in 1964.
According to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Cao Tuong Huy, the ceremony, slated for August 1 in Ha Long city, will be part of Quang Ninh’s activities to mark the 77th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs’ Day (July 27).
The provincial leader asked relevant agencies to coordinate closely in preparing for the event, thus strengthening education and communications among the local community on the glorious tradition, the bravery of the people and army in general and the people of Quang Ninh in particular.
In 1946, in order to prepare for the launch of a destruction war against the North of Vietnam, US destroyers were sent deep into the Gulf of Tonkin to provoke, harass, and set up the "Gulf of Tonkin Incident" as an excuse to launch aerial attacks against the North.
From August 2-5, 1964, the US mobilised dozens of jet fighters and attackers to bombard economic targets, military bases, and shelters of the Vietnam People’s Navy ships along the coast of Song Gianh in central Quang Binh province to Bai Chay of Quang Ninh.
In the first battle, the Vietnam People’s Navy coordinated with the Anti-Aircraft and other forces and local residents to shot down many aircraft and arrest the first US pilot./.
