Independence Palace flag raiser dies - Social Issues

Updated

June, 26 2012 13:07:00

Independence Palace flag raiser dies

HA NOI – Colonel Bui Quang Than, who raised the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Viet Nam on the top of the Independence Palace in Sai Gon on April 30, 1975, has died of a stroke, age 64, at his homeland in northern Thai Binh Province.

Than joined the army in 1966 when he was 18. In the HCM City campaign, Than was a commander of a liberation army tank brigade in charge of occupying the Independence Palace.

After the palace's gate was broken, Than raced to the top of the building with a flag. He pulled down the flag of three stripes and replaced it with the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Viet Nam. It was 11.30am on April 30, 1975.

The flagraising was the end of 30 years of a gallant and hard struggle for the Vietnamese people. President of the Republic of Viet Nam Duong Van Minh and the entire Cabinet of the Sai Gon Government unconditionally surrendered to the revolutionary Government.

After the war, Than continued working in the army until he retired in 2000 with the rank of colonel. – VNS

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