Lê Văn Hưng

For the footballer, see Lê Văn Hưng (footballer).
In this Vietnamese name, the family name is Lê, but is often simplified to Le in English-language text. According to Vietnamese custom, this person should properly be referred to by the given name Hung.
Lê Văn Hưng
Born (1933-03-27)March 27, 1933
Hóc Môn, South Vietnam
Died April 30, 1975(1975-04-30) (aged 42)
Cần Thơ, South Vietnam
Allegiance State of Vietnam
South Vietnam
Service/branch Vietnamese National Army
Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Years of service 1955–1975
Rank Brigadier general
Commands held
  • 2nd Battalion 31st Infantry
    Regiment (1966-1969)
  • 5th Infantry Division (1971)
  • MR3 Deputy Commander
    (Military Region 3) (1972)
  • 21st Infantry Division (1973)
  • IV Corps Deputy Commander (1974-1975)
Battles/wars
Relations Phạm Thị Kim Hòang (wife);
Lê Ánh Tuyết (Daughter)
Other work
  • Minister Phong Dinh Province (1970)
Celebration at An Lộc: General Cao Văn Viên (second from left); Brigadier General Lê Văn Hưng, commander of the 5th Infantry Division; and President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu (right)

Lê Văn Hưng (27 March 1933 – 30 April 1975) was born in Hóc Môn, in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, and graduated from Thủ Đức Military Academy, 5th class, in 1955. He held many commands from company to battalion level. However, Hưng was perhaps best known as the "Hero of An Lộc" in 1972 when he commanded the 5th Division in defense of the city of An Lộc from the coordinated attacks of the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces in the Battle of An Lộc.

Living in a tiny underground bunker for almost three months, Hưng commanded soldiers of the 5th Division, the 81st Airborne Ranger Battalion, the 11th Airborne Brigade, the 21st Division and the Provincial Forces of Bình Long Province. His forces repelled countless waves of attack by the North Vietnamese infantry, supported by T-54 tanks.

Hưng vowed, "If I’m still alive, An Lộc still stands." His strong determination to hold An Lộc at any cost, and the fighting spirit of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) soldiers, kept An Lộc from falling into communist hands.

Hưng was promoted to General in the field; and later commanded the 21st Division before becoming Deputy Commander of the 4th Military Region (MR4).

When the communists made their "Hồ Chí Minh Campaign" final assault on South Vietnam in April 1975, after listening to the capitulation order of President Dương Văn Minh, General Hưng gathered his headquarters staff and family to say goodbye. He was unable to fight to the death because the towns people of Cần Thơ had begged him not to resist, believing that it would cause futile bloodshed. Hưng was one of five ARVN generals who committed suicide that day.

Personal life

Lê Văn Hưng was married to Phạm Thị Kim Hòang. [1]

References

  1. ↑ / "The Final Day of My Husband's Life" Phạm Thị Kim Hòang (General Le van Hung's wife)
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