War veteran Pham Ngoc Son (R) at his family’s automobile repairing workshop. (Photo: VNA)

In the summer of 1972, then 18-year-old Pham Ngoc Son joined the army and became a driver on the Truong Trail, transporting goods to the battlefield. One night, while going uphill, his convoy was spotted and attacked by US aircraft. Son’s truck was hit by a bomb and caught fire. 

“I led a convoy of 42 vehicles supplying the campaign to recapture the Quang Tri citadel. When the truck caught on fire, I thought that if I died and the vehicle remained on the road, the convoy behind me would also be destroyed. So I drove my truck up the slope and let it plunge down the cliff. At the last moment, I jumped out. With the enemy aircraft focusing on my burning vehicle, I managed to distract them and helped the other trucks and my comrades stay safe," Son recalled. 

The treatment of Son's wounds took 20 days. After Son recovered, he continued serving on the battlefield. Because of his severe injuries, Son was dubbed “Burning Son” by his comrades-in-arms.

It’s been many years since he left the army, but Son still has the steadfastness and unyielding will of a Truong Son soldier. In 1996, Son set up the Dong Hung 27/7 Transport Company to support war invalids. For years, he has donated part of his income to veterans in difficult circumstances. Son helped Ngo Thi Loi, a neighbor in Phu Chau commune and a descendant of a Truong Son soldier, to build a house.

“My old tile-roofed house, which was built more than 30 years ago, was dilapidated. With the help of Son and some other veterans, I got a new house,” said Loi.

Ngo Thi Loi receives support from Pham Ngoc Son to build a house. (Photo: VNA)

Every Lunar New Year, Son delivers hundreds of gifts to families of revolutionary contributors, poor households, and his former comrades.

“Many of my comrades fought bravely, were wounded, or fell for national independence. I myself was injured but I was luckier than my fallen comrades because I returned to live in a time of peace. Some survivors are still healthy enough to carry out peace time missions. As President Ho Chi Minh said, ‘Down but not out,’" Son elaborated.

Pham Thanh Ha, Secretary of the Phu Chau communal Party Committee, and Pham Van Phi, Chairman of the Phu Chau communal Veterans Association, called Son a role model in studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example.

“Even though veteran Pham Ngoc Son is disabled, he actively participates in social and charity activities. Son has a great determination to overcome life’s difficulties to support his family, and help others,” said Ha.

“For years Son has been an active member of the Phu Chau communal Veterans Association. He often visits and helps sick and disadvantaged Association members,” said Phi.

Pham Ngoc Son has received certificates of merit from the State President, the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and local authorities.