"Mr. Combat” is a nickname given by his friends because in his military career he spent half of his lifetime on combat affairs” or also because he “never shouted at his soldiers and subordinates”

Joining revolutionary activities at the age of 16, during the resistance war against the French colonialists, like other young people, Mr. Lê Ngọc Hiền always looked forward to doing his part and fighting for the nation. His name was closely associated with Lê Lợi Battalion, Regiment 64 (Battalion 320)... and famous battles such as Đồng Bến, Hoàng Dương - Tử Dương and the battle to wipe out Yến Vĩ fort, etc.

Photo: Comrade Lê Ngọc Hiền and his wife at their young age

During the resistance war against the US, General Lê Ngọc Hiền got about over the B2 battlefield. "In April 1974, I was sent by the General Staff to the North urgently to meet General Văn Tiến Dũng ". After 5 days of leave, General Văn Tiến Dũng called me and said, “I give you the rank of Major General and from now on you will officially hold the position of Deputy Chief of the General Staff and coordinate with the Operations Department to urgently develop a plan of 2-year strategic operations that aims to achieve a great victory and liberate the South”.

Photo: Comrade Lê Ngọc Hiền (first person from the right) with other comrades during the Central Highlands campaign, 1975

Comrade Lê Ngọc Hiền and comrades of the Command of Trail 9- Southern Laos Campaign, 1971

“In those days, we only had a break to eat, most of the time we worked hard to complete the plan. Many times we worked until midnight, even until 1 or 2 am. We had to monitor the development of the battlefields, every day we received hundreds of telegrams, and had to read, analyze and evaluate the situation. After the combat plan was completed, the Politburo and the Military Commission of the Party Central Committee held a discussion conference. What we were most happy about was that the Politburo and the Military Commission of the Party Central Committee had approved the plan but requested more details. The key point of the plan was the selection of the Central Highlands as the main battlefield in the large and widespread offensive in 1975, which was highly appreciated by the Politburo."

The Open Conference of Politburo approved the plan to liberate the South in two years 1975 – 1976, which would be launched from December 18, 1974 - January 8, 1975.

Comrade Lê Đức Thọ presented the Politburo Resolution to the Regional Command and officers of the General Staff at the Regional Headquarters (Major General Lê Ngọc Hiền, the first person on the left), on March 25, 1975.

During the historic Hồ Chí Minh Campaign, he was assigned to hold the position of Chief of Staff of the Campaign, who was responsible for drawing up combat plans for the Campaign

Photo: General Văn Tiến Dũng, Major General Lê Ngọc Hiền and comrades worked on Hồ Chí Minh campaign, April 8, 1975

Major General Lê Ngọc Hiền (the first person on the left) with officers of Hồ Chí Minh Campaign Command in Lộc Ninh, April 1975