Preface:
In modern history, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea was a great feat that shocked the world. In this war to defend the homeland and defend the country, countless Chinese soldiers have forged heroic legends with their blood and lives. Among them, Gao Lianglun's story is particularly moving.
In the Battle of Shangganling, this ordinary soldier from rural Sichuan independently killed 246 enemy soldiers with amazing courage and superb sniper skills, creating a miracle in the history of war.
His heroic deeds not only won him the high honors of "Special Meritorious Hero" and "Second-Class Combat Hero", but also became a spiritual monument that inspired generations of Chinese.
However, the wheels of history are rolling forward, and the heroes of the former battlefield are facing completely different life tests in peacetime. In order to raise medical expenses for his ailing son, Gao Lianglun had to endure the pain of taking his precious military merit medal to the thrift market to sell.
Why is the life of a combat hero so embarrassing after retirement?
Born sharpshooter
In the summer of 1932, in a small mountain village called Lingyan Village in Jiange County, Sichuan Province, a baby boy fell to the ground, and he is the protagonist we are going to talk about today - Gao Lianglun. Gao Lianglun, who was born in a poor family, has understood the hardships of life since he was a child.
His father died young, leaving him and his mother to live together.
Although his family is poor, he is optimistic and cheerful by nature. The neighbors in the village said that the child would grow up to be a big man. Who would have thought that this little boy bouncing around in the mountain village would become a sharpshooter who would terrify the enemy on the battlefield?
In 1950, 18-year-old Takara heard that the country was recruiting volunteers to go to North Korea to defeat the United States. Young and vigorous, he didn't say a word, picked up his bags and went to register.
Perhaps by fate, he was assigned to the 93rd Regiment of the 31st Division of the 12th Army of the 3rd Corps.
In the beginning, Gao Lianglun was still a hairy boy and knew nothing about war. However, the battlefield was like a brutal school, and he was soon trained into a seasoned veteran.
The 93rd Regiment participated in five battles in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and each battle made Gao Lianglun grow a lot.
Once, Gao Lianglun and his comrades were squatting in the trenches when they suddenly heard the voice of the enemy in the distance. Gao Lianglun quietly poked his head out and saw several American soldiers smoking and chatting not far away.
Holding his breath, he slowly raised his gun and aimed it at one of the enemies. With a "bang", the American soldier fell to the ground. Before the other enemies could react, Gao Lianglun fired two more shots in quick succession, and put down two more of them. The remaining enemies fled in fright.
This experience gave Gao Lianglun a taste of sweetness, and also allowed his commander to discover his shooting talent. Soon after, he was selected to be sent to the regimental headquarters shooting training class to receive professional sniper training.
The legend of a one-man army
In October 1952, the U.S. military launched a fierce attack on Shangganling. Gao Lianglun's 93rd Regiment was sent to the front for reinforcements. At that time, the Shangganling battlefield was simply a hell on earth: everywhere was filled with gunpowder smoke and artillery fire.
Gao Lianglun was assigned to Heights 6 and served as the leader of the combat team. He led his comrades to defend the position day and night, repelling enemy attacks again and again.
Once, the enemy's artillery fire was particularly fierce, and Gao Lianglun's comrades-in-arms fell one by one. In the end, only he and Wang Xueli were left to fight.
At this moment, Wang Xueli was also unfortunately shot and died. Gao Lianglun faced the surging enemy alone, but he did not have the slightest fear in his heart. He clenched the rifle in his hand and stared firmly ahead.
"Come on, United States! Let's see if it's your guns that are powerful, or my Gao Lianglun's guns! Gao Lianglun said secretly in his heart.
For the next 20 hours, Gao Lianglun was like an unfailing monument, firmly holding his position. The enemy launched 6 charges, each of which was repulsed by his accurate marksmanship.
The muzzle of his gun seemed to be able to pinch and calculate, and every bullet found the enemy's vital point.
When reinforcements finally arrived, everyone was stunned: one man, in just over 20 hours, killed more than 170 enemy soldiers! Combined with his previous record, Gao Lianglun eliminated a total of 246 enemies in the Battle of Shangganling.
This number, even today, sounds like a fantasy.
Gao Lianglun's heroic deeds soon spread throughout the army. He was credited with a special meritorious service once, and won the honorary titles of "Special Meritorious Hero" and "Second Class Battle Hero".
In 1953, he returned to China as a delegate, was received by Chairman Mao and other central leaders, and also visited the National Day military parade. At that time, Gao Lianglun had unlimited scenery and a bright future.
The true colors of heroes in ordinary life
In November 1955, the war ended, and it was time for Gao Lianglun to be discharged. It stands to reason that with his merits, it is not a problem to choose a good job at will.
However, to everyone's surprise, Gao Lianglun refused all special arrangements and insisted on assigning work according to the standards of ordinary soldiers.
In the end, Gao Lianglun was assigned to the Nanjing Fiber Factory. From a hero on the battlefield to an ordinary worker in a factory, this change of identity may be difficult for many people to accept.
But Gao Lianglun adapted very well, he still maintained the style of a soldier, worked conscientiously and responsibly, and was quickly recognized by his colleagues.
Later, Gao Lianglun became the vice chairman of the trade union. Although his position was promoted, his life did not change much. He still lives a simple life, raising his two children in a low-key manner.
However, life doesn't always stay good. One day in 1988, Gao Lianglun's youngest son, Gao Weihong, suddenly became seriously ill and needed a large amount of medical expenses. This is undoubtedly a heavy blow to a working family.
Gao Lianglun rummaged through every corner of the house, but he still couldn't scrape together enough money. Just when he was at a loss, his eyes fell on the special merit medal hanging on the wall. At that moment, Gao Lianglun's heart must have been very painful.
That medal carries his youth, his honor, and the memories of those eventful years.
However, when the father's responsibility and former honor were placed at both ends of the scale, Gao Lianglun did not hesitate to choose the former. One day in July 1988, he quietly came to the Nanjing thrift market and reluctantly sold the precious medal.
The former combat hero is so embarrassed, in fact, it is not that the army does not pay attention to it, but the low-key life that Gao Lianglun chooses, and not many people know about his current situation.
Fortunately, the incident was later discovered by his old comrades. When the head of the original unit learned about it, he immediately sent someone to redeem the medal. When the medal was returned to Gao Lianglun's hands, the former hero burst into tears.
In his later years, after the local government learned about Gao Lianglun's situation, they gave him some subsidies, and his living conditions gradually improved.
In the last moments of his life, the former combat hero made a simple wish: that his two sons would be able to see the places where he had fought.
"I hope they can understand why I didn't hesitate to join the army and why I did my best in that land," he said.
Gao Lianglun's story allows us to see a real hero. He was brave and fearless on the battlefield and silently dedicated himself in peacetime. His life has both glorious moments and hardships in ordinary life.
But no matter what stage he was in, he always maintained that sense of responsibility for the country and his family.
Perhaps, this is the true nature of a hero. When he is needed, he can be a warrior to defend his homeland and country; In times of peace, he can be a conscientious father and a diligent worker.