Chai Yunzhen, winner of the "July 1st Medal": the "first class fighting hero" has been anonymous for more than 30 years

2021 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. The Party Central Committee decided to award the "July 1st Medal" for the first time. At 10 a.m. on June 29, the "July 1 Medal" awarding ceremony was solemnly held in the Great Hall of the people. Chai Yunzhen, the winner of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's first-class freedom and independence medal, was awarded the "July 1 Medal".

Old hero Chai Yunzhen.

Since Chai Yunzhen died in December 2018, his son Chai Bingrong received the "July 1st Medal" for his father. Gazing at the simple and solemn "July 1st Medal", Chai Bingrong's tears twinkled, as if he saw his father flying into the Great Hall of the people and melting into the "July 1st Medal" from the extraordinary years of "heroic killing the enemy, earth shaking" and from the ordinary time of "anonymity, not admiring honor and profit"

The July 1 medal.

A bloody battle against Park Dafeng

Killed more than 100 people and injured 24 places

In November 1926, Chai Yunzhen was born in Dafo Township, Yuechi County, Guang'an City, Sichuan Province. In 1948, Chai Yunzhen joined the Chinese people's Liberation Army and was assigned to the 45th division of the 15th army. Under the leadership of army commander Qin Jiwei, Chai Yunzhen fought in Central China, South China and southwest China. He joined the party in December 1949.

In October 1950, Chai Yunzhen entered the DPRK with his troops.

On May 28, 1951, the army retreated, followed by the US, Canada and South Korea. The 134 regiment was in charge of covering, and Chai Yunzhen's 8 company blocked the US and Canadian troops in park Dafeng. After days of fierce fighting, both sides suffered heavy casualties. In the end, our army lost two hilltops and the situation was very critical.

Chai Yunzhen is the monitor of the seventh class of the eighth company. At that time, there were 10 soldiers (including Chai Yunzhen) in the seventh class. Chai Yunzhen was ordered to lead the soldiers to recapture the position.

In the evening, Chai Yunzhen led five people to crawl forward while the enemy's flares fell and died. Before the next flare was fired, they quickly jumped into the crater to hide, and gradually went around to the foot of the mountain where the enemy was not easy to find; The other four acted as cover, firing cold guns at the enemy on the top of the mountain in different directions to distract the enemy's attention.

In this way, Chai Yunzhen led five soldiers to climb up the mountain from the back of the side and recapture the position. Before long, the second hilltop was successfully returned to our army.

Chai Yunzhen battle portrait.

At dawn, the enemy launched a large-scale counterattack. Chai Yunzhen and other soldiers fought back and the enemy attacked many times. But three soldiers were shot and killed, and other soldiers, including Chai Yunzhen, were injured.

After a while, the enemy attacked again and was also beaten back by the class 7 soldiers. Two more comrades fell this time.

There are only five people left in class seven. Chai Yunzhen divided the remaining comrades into two combat groups and held the position... The bullets were almost gone, and the grenades were also used up. At this time, the battalion commander sent two soldiers to deliver two boxes of bullets and dozens of grenades.

The enemy attacked again and again. At last, Chai Yunzhen found that he was the only one left in the position.

"Never back!" Chai Yunzhen held his gun and continued to hold his position.

Four American soldiers rushed up again. Chai Yunzhen pulled the trigger and knocked down three on the spot. At the same time, the remaining enemy also shot a string of bullets, Chai Yunzhen hand, waist and other injuries. When Chai Yunzhen pulled the trigger again, he found that there were no bullets in it.

The enemy dropped their carbines and prepared to capture Chai Yunzhen alive. Chai Yunzhen fought with the enemy to the death. Chai Yunzhen grabs off an ear of the enemy and extends his hand upward, ready to grab the enemy's eye. Unexpectedly, the enemy opened his mouth and bit off Chai Yunzhen's right index finger.

The enemy grabbed a stone and hit Chai Yunzhen. Chai Yun is bleeding and faints on the position. The enemy decided that Chai Yunzhen was dead. He stood up feebly and fled to the foot of the mountain.

After a while, Chai Yunzhen woke up. Turning around, I found that the enemy was running more than 100 meters. He grabbed the carbine that the enemy had thrown down, pulled the trigger with his middle finger, and the enemy fell to the ground with a bang. Chai Yunzhen fainted again.

According to later statistics, Chai Yunzhen killed more than 100 enemies in the blocking battle of Pu Dafeng.

When Chai Yunzhen woke up, he found himself lying on the bed. The doctor told him: "this is Baotou military hospital in Inner Mongolia... It's a miracle that you can survive."

Originally, after Chai Yunzhen fainted on the position, my reinforcements arrived in time and held the position. Among the reinforcements, a comrade named "Sun Hongfa" saw that Chai Yunzhen was injured all over and his right index finger was broken, but he was still breathing. Sun Hongfa carried Chai Yunzhen to the rear hospital.

According to the doctor's examination, Chai Yunzhen was injured in 24 places.

Where are the heroes

Affect the hearts of the top leaders of China and North Korea

On May 1, 1952, the headquarters of the Chinese people's Volunteer Army awarded Chai Yunzhen the title of "first-class fighting hero", recording a special merit. Of the more than 2.97 million volunteers, only 50 have been awarded the title of "first-class combat hero". However, in recognition of his heroic deeds, no one came to receive the medal, so the medal had to be temporarily placed in the 15th army.

First class battle hero medal.

Since then, Chai Yunzhen's troops have sent people to look for him many times, but they have not found him.

North Korea is also looking for Chai.

Whether Chai Yunzhen died or not is unclear to North Korea. However, Chai Yunzhen's heroic deeds are well known in North Korea. His deeds were included in Korean textbooks. In view of the fact that Chai Yunzhen has not been heard from, the Korean painter drew a "portrait" of Chai Yunzhen according to the description of his comrades in arms, which was placed in the Korean Revolutionary Military Museum for people to admire.

In 1980, North Korean leader Kim Il Sung went to Beijing to attend the 30th anniversary of the war to resist US aggression and aid North Korea, and Deng Xiaoping met with him. When they talked about the war 30 years ago, Kim Il Sung said that he was particularly impressed by Huang Jiguang, Qiu Shaoyun, Lai Yongze, Chai Yunzhen and other four Sichuan heroes. "In addition to the two heroes who died, Lai Yongze has been found, and Chai Yunzhen is still missing. I don't know where Chai Yunzhen is."

Deng Xiaoping told Kim Il Sung: "as long as Chai Yunzhen is in the world, even if he is looking for a needle in the sea, we will also take him up."

At this time, Chai Yunzhen's former troops (39155 troops) were stationed in Xiaogan, Hubei Province. The task of looking for Chai Yunzhen falls on the Political Department of 39155 army. The political department has been looking for it for several years, but there is no progress.

At this time, sun Hongfa, who had already retired to his hometown in Shanxi, contacted the 39155 army. Sun Hongfa provides clues to the troops: Chai Yunzhen may be from the southwest, and his right index finger is broken.

As a result, the Political Department of 39155 army published a notice in the major newspapers of yunguichuan to find the hero Chai Yunzhen.

But Chai did not show up.

Accidental exposure of identity

Old hero from Sichuan tractor driver

One day in 1984, Chai Bingrong, a 28 year old tractor driver in Dafo Township, Yuechi County, drove his tractor to the gas station to refuel. A notice in an old Sichuan Daily in a gas station attracted Chai Bingrong's attention.

Search for battle hero

The title of the notice is: looking for the fighting hero Chai Yunzhen. The content is: Chai Yunzhen, the former monitor of the seventh class of the eighth company of the Third Battalion of our department, killed the enemy bravely in the fifth battle of resisting U.S. aggression and aiding Korea in 1951. He was awarded the title of hero. Due to serious injuries, he returned to hospital and lost contact with the army. If I see this notice or know his whereabouts, please contact the Political Department of 39155 army in Xiaogan City, Hubei Province as soon as possible.

Chai Bingrong's father is Chai Yunzhen. He knows that his father participated in the war to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea. He has also seen his father's certificate of demobilized soldiers, which has the words "Chai Yunzhen" on it. In the 1970s and 1980s, Chai Bingrong's father's name was "Chai Yunzheng".

At a loss, Chai Bingrong took the Sichuan daily home and asked his father, "Dad, is Chai Yunzhen you?" Chai Yunzhen took a look at the newspaper and said calmly, "my name is Chai Yunzheng. The person they are looking for is Chai Yunzhen. There are many people with the same name and surname. Don't recognize them."

However, Chai Bingrong thought that his father was the fighting hero "Chai Yunzhen" that the newspaper was looking for. Chai Bingrong advised his father that he should show up for the sake of looking for you.

Maybe it's hard for the army to find him. Maybe it's hard to hide his identity. Chai Yunzhen finally wants to go back to the army to have a look. Chai Bingrong accompanied Chai Yunzhen by tractor, car and train, and finally arrived at unit 39155 of Xiaogan City.

On checking, the authorities found that Chai Yunzhen, who had been searching for more than 30 years by China and North Korea, was the one who came.

No respect for honor and profit

Deliberately "lose" oneself and live in seclusion

How did Chai Yunzhen lose contact with the army? It turns out that Chai Yunzhen "lost" himself on purpose.

Chai Yunzhen lived in Baotou military hospital for one year. When he got better, he wanted to go back to the army, but he couldn't get in touch with the army. In April 1952, Chai Yunzhen went through the recovery procedures in the hospital. With the certificate of demobilized soldiers issued by the Ministry of national defense and the 80 yuan and 1000 Jin rice ticket issued by the government, he returned to his hometown Dafo township of Yuechi County to work in agriculture.

Chai Yunzhen's demobilized soldier certificate.

The content of the demobilized soldier's certificate is: Comrade Chai Yunxian, a native of Yuechi County, Sichuan Province, joined the Chinese people's Liberation Army in 1948, and is now allowed to be demobilized in order to strengthen socialist construction.

In those days, in addition to "surname" and "generation", other words were written at will“ The name of Chai Yunzhen was written as "Chai Yunzhen", "Chai Yunzheng", "Chai Yunzheng" and "Chai Yunzhen" in different times and places. Chai Yunzhen didn't care.

Chai Yunzhen has been a member, production team leader, team leader, village branch secretary and Deputy Secretary of the commune Party committee. Chai never mentioned his achievements to local cadres and villagers. Even the children who live together day and night don't know that their father is a hero. Local cadres and villagers only know that Chai Yunzhen fought in North Korea and then returned home. That's it.

In this way, Chai Yunzhen has devoted more than 30 years to the party and the people in a small village in northern Sichuan.

"Old hero, we've been looking for so many years. Why did you show up so long?"

"So many comrades in arms have died. What else can the living fight for?" Chai Yunzhen said lightly.

After the army leaders learned about Chai Yunzhen's "disappearance", they burst into tears.

Chai Yunzhen, who has "evaporated from the human world" for decades, appeared. The news aroused the vibration of China and North Korea. Relevant leaders of the Central Military Commission personally awarded Chai Yunzhen the medal of "first class fighting hero" which has been put off for 33 years.

Kim Il Sung (sixth from right) meets Chai Yun Zhen (third from right).

In October 1985, Chai Yunzhen visited North Korea at the invitation of Kim Il Sung. During his visit, Kim Il Sung held a grand ceremony to award Chai Yunzhen and other three people the "first level freedom and independence Medal", and personally wore the medal on the chest of Chai Yunzhen and other three heroes.

Later, Chai Yunzhen and Kim Il Sung visited the Korean Revolutionary Military Museum. During the visit, Chai Yunzhen saw his "portrait" placed side by side with Huang Jiguang, Qiu Shaoyun and other heroes, looking back on the past and looking back on the present.

Comfort the old hero

The cause of the party is flourishing

Chai Yunzhen is still very low-key after being "discovered". Leaders at all levels often come to see him and ask him if he has any needs. He always answers "no".

After his retirement, Chai Yunzhen became a well-known "steward" in the local area. He came uninvited when his mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were in conflict or when his father and son were in dispute. He can't help taking care of some disputes in other villages. Later, whenever such a thing happened, the village cadres always asked Chai Yunzhen, a "non staff cadre" with prestige among the masses, to come forward to help mediate. Chai Yunzhen understands policies, stresses legal principles and attaches importance to fairness in doing things, which can convince both sides of the contradiction. Over the years, Chai Yunzhen has often made reports on glorious traditions in organs, schools, factories and mines. He has also returned to the old army many times to tell battle stories to officers and soldiers.

Chai Yunzhen and his son Chai Bingrong.

In 2010 and 2013, Chai Yunzhen also returned to his former army to give a speech. By this time, the troops had been reorganized into Chinese airborne troops. The story of Chai Yunzhen can be found in the Army history display cabinet and medals.

In 2015, Chai Yunzhen's dedication of "anonymity, not fame and fortune" has been listed in one of the top ten fine traditions of Chinese airborne troops, and has become a vivid teaching material for educating officers and soldiers.

On December 26, 2018, Chai Yunzhen, 93, died of illness. At the memorial service, Mao Xiaolong, the 31st commander of the eighth company of Shangganling special service of an Airborne Brigade, rushed to Yuechi County to see off the old monitor and hero for the last journey.

Chai Bingrong tells the story of his father

Nowadays, Yuechi County, Chai Yunzhen's hometown, is developing rapidly. It has become "a provincial civilized city in Sichuan", "a county with strong county economy in Sichuan" and "one of the top 100 counties and cities in Western China". In April 2019, Yuechi County withdrew from the poverty-stricken county sequence.

Yuechi is a microcosm of China's booming and thriving. In February 25, 2021, general secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared that China's victory in poverty alleviation has won a comprehensive victory.

What can comfort the old heroes is: today, the railway into Qinghai Tibet, highway network, high gorge out of Pinghu, port with five oceans, industry categories, rice and wheat everywhere, "Tianhe" in space, "zhurong" exploring Mars... We are closer, more confident and able to achieve the goal of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation than at any time in history.

Young pioneers present flowers to "July 1st Medal" winners

"I learned from the media that the" July 1st Medal "is awarded to Party members who have made outstanding contributions to the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and the new great project of Party building. It is the highest honor in the party that is decided by the CPC Central Committee and issued by the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. I would like to thank the party for praising my father... I will try my best to inherit the red gene, work actively and contribute to the prosperity of the party's cause. " Chai Bingrong told the cover reporter（ Photo courtesy of Chai Bingrong)

historical background

Pu Dafeng's blocking battle

Park Dafeng is more than 60 miles southwest of Jinhua. The mountains are steep and the trees are dense. It is a must for the enemy to venture into Jinhua. From May 30 to June 4, 1951, a battalion of the Chinese people's Volunteer Army repulsed more than 40 attacks of the 25th Infantry Division of the US army here, annihilating more than 1340 enemy troops, injuring two enemy planes and destroying one enemy tank.