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Huang Jiguang

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Occupation
  
Soldier


Name
  
Huang Jiguang

Huang Jiguang chinesepostersnetimagese15160jpg

Born
  
January 18, 1931 (
1931-01-18
)
Huang Jiguang Village, Zhongjiang County, Sichuan Province, China

Died
  
October 19, 1952, Chorwon County, North Korea

Huang Jiguang (Chinese: 黄继光; pinyin: Huáng Jìguāng; January 18, 1931 – October 19, 1952) was a highly decorated Chinese soldier during the Korean War.

Huang Jiguang Search Results China poster Huang Jiguang

Huang was originally from the Sichuan Province. In March 1951, Huang decided to join the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to fight against the American-led United Nations forces in the Korean War.

After joining the war, Huang became a runner and was later awarded the Meritorious Service, Third Class for his bravery. At the Battle of Triangle Hill in October 1952, Huang's unit was tasked with destroying an enemy blockhouse. According to official accounts, Huang hurled himself against a machine gun slit on the blockhouse after running out of ammunition, blocking enemy fire while sacrificing his life. As a result of his heroism, the Chinese forces overran the position while annihilating a significant amount of enemy soldiers. In one version of the story, it was also claimed that Huang's final action was specifically inspired by the Soviet war film Private Alexander Matrosov, which was in turn based on the real life exploit of Alexander Matrosov during the Great Patriotic War.

Huang was posthumously given the title of "Combat Hero, Second Class", which was later upgraded to "Combat Hero, Special Class". The North Korean government also awarded Huang with the title of "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea", a Gold Star Medal and the Medal of the National Flag, First-Class.

References

Huang Jiguang Wikipedia