Lin Bingyuan, hero of Korean War's Shangganling campaign, dies at 92
By Liang Shuang | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-07-17 18:24
Lin Bingyuan, a combat hero celebrated for his valor and contributions during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), passed away at the age of 92.
Lin died on July 9 due to an illness in Nanchong, Sichuan province, his hometown, ThePaper.cn reported. He was renowned for his bravery during the Shangganling Campaign, where he fearlessly defended his position under severe enemy attack, reportedly killing around 140 enemies.
Born in 1932, Lin enlisted in 1951 after the outbreak of the Korean War, known in China as the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. He was deployed to the front lines as part of the Chinese People's Volunteers Army in September 1951.
In October 1952, the Shangganling Campaign, known in the West as the Battle of Triangle Hill, began. Lin's battalion was sent to the battlefield on Oct 31 to recapture a lost highland position. From then until November 5, when reinforcements arrived, Lin managed to capture and defend the position, often single-handedly as his fellow soldiers perished in combat, enduring fierce artillery attacks and significant bloodshed.
After the battle, it was estimated that he killed around 140 enemies. For his actions, Lin was awarded a special-class merit and named a "second-class combat hero." Following the war, he became a military officer and retired in 1990.
Lin's story was featured in National Memories, a TV documentary by China Media Group aired in 2022. In the documentary, Lin shared his experiences during the Shangganling Campaign.
Although not the largest campaign of the war, the Shangganling Campaign was one of the most well-known battles in China. According to a military history story on the Ministry of Defence's website, it was the most intense battle of the war, with artillery intensity surpassing that of World War II and a high casualty rate.
The campaign's fame was further amplified by the 1956 film Shangganling and the song My Motherland from the movie, which inspired generations of Chinese people.
