Although it has retired, the ship is forever a historical witness because of its glorious achievements and contributions.
The HQ-671 is 31 meters long, 5.8 meters wide, and 11.7 meters high, with a weight of 50 tons and a displacement of 165 tons. She has two holds used to transport goods.
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The HQ-671 (numbered 641) in the war against U.S. invaders |
During her task performance, the ship made over 20 voyages to the provinces of Quang Ngai, Phu Yen, Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau, and other localities, delivering 400 tons of equipment and goods as well as personnel, thus contributing to supporting the Southern battlefields.
During the VT5 transport campaign (1968-1969), the HQ-671 (under the number C41) made dozens of transports, sending thousands of tons of weapons and supplies from Hai Phong city to Gianh port (Quang Binh) for friendly units to continue transporting them through the Truong Son trail to help the fighting in the South. Meanwhile, the HQ-671 (numbered 641 at that time) was entrusted with transporting goods and soldiers to Dong Hoi port (Quang Binh) and Cua Viet port (Quang Tri) to aid the Southern front from 1971 to 1974.
During a mission on February 28, 1970, troops on board the HQ-671 were in a strained battle of wits with the enemy’s warships and aircraft. As a result, the ship couldn’t enter a designated pier after a 20-day voyage, and then was ordered to retreat.
On April 30, 1970, the vessel was camouflaged with the new number RS05 to ship weapons to the Southern battlefields. Reportedly, she successfully delivered 58 tons of goods and equipment to Hang Ho port (Ca Mau province) after eight days. Thanks to this timely support, the armed forces of Military Region 9 defeated a raid by the U.S. and their puppets, sinking numerous ships and defeating their “floating fleet” strategy.
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The HQ-671 is eventually preserved at the Naval Museum. |
The HQ-671 was also responsible for bringing equipment and troops of the Naval Commando Unit 126 to Son Ca Island (Sand Cay) of the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago of Vietnam during the General Offensive and Uprising in the Spring of 1975, on April 25, 1975, contributing to the nation’s great victory and the cause of national liberation and unification.
After the South liberation and national reunification (April 30, 1975), the ship continued to reinforce units stationed in the Truong Sa archipelago. On October, 1978, she conducted a search and rescue mission to save seven troops of Phan Vinh Island (Pearson Reef) who went adrift while performing their tasks. After eight days, the distressed troops were safely taken ashore.
In early 1988, officers and soldiers of the HQ-671 continued to protect Da Lon (Discovery Great Reef) Island. On March 14, 1988, in the battle of protecting Gac Ma (Johnson South), Colin (Johnson North) and Len Dao (Lansdowne) Reefs, part of the Truong Sa archipelago of Vietnam, the ship’s crew-members also successfully completed the mission to search for and rescue officers and soldiers on other ships sunk by foreign warships. The ship HQ-671 was commissioned to Naval Region 4’s Flotilla 413 in 1982. On the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea, the ship was assigned to Flotilla 384, Naval Logistics Department, and eventually preserved at the Naval Museum in Hai Phong city.
The ship HQ-671 was twice honored by the Party and State with the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces (1973 and 1989), as well as numerous other noble honors, for its outstanding achievements. Eight troops who had served on the ship, including Bong Van Di, Le Van Mot, Dang Van Thanh, Duong Van Loc, Huynh Van Sao, Phan Nhan, Nguyen Son, and Ho Dac Thanh, were honored as heroes of the People's Armed Forces.
The HQ-671 was recognized as a national treasure by the Prime Minister on December 25, 2017.
Translated by Minh Anh