The order was granted to Khiem, head of Company 3 of Battalion 1 under Brigade 513 in Military Region 3, in recognition of his excellent service in combat, search, and rescue duties, which contributed to socialism building and Fatherland safeguarding, the Department of Information and Education under the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People’s Army said on September 9.
He was killed by a fallen tree at around 8 am on September 7 while helping people in Pat village of Luc Hon commune in Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province. This region took a direct hit from typhoon Yagi. He was immediately sent to the General Hospital of Binh Lieu district but passed away due to serious injury.
The serviceman set a bright example of bravery and the readiness to sacrifice to protect people’s property and lives, contributing to beatifying the tradition of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers”, the department said.
Khiem, born in 1997 in the northern province of Ninh Binh, joined the army in September 2015. He held the rank of Senior Lieutenant at the time of his death.
On September 9, Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang decided to posthumously promote the deceased’s rank to Colonel ahead of schedule.
The same day, the Secretariat of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee decided to posthumously present the “Brave Youth” badge to Khiem, said the Military Youth Committee.
Making landfall on September 7, typhoon Yagi wreaked havoc on northern localities. A total of 59 people had been reported dead and missing due to prolonged heavy rains and floods caused by this storm as of 11:30am on September 9, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
