Wang Jie, a former PLA soldier who was killed when trying to save his comrades from a misplaced land mine during a drill in Xuzhou city, Jiangsu province, in July 1965. In today’s program, we will tell you Wang Jie and his inspiring stories.
Wang Jie was born into a farmers’ family on September 14, 1942. Since his childhood, he loved to listen to stories about revolutionary heroes and yearned for military life.
In August 1961, Wang Jie was enlisted by the Army and became a soldier of an engineering company of the Jinan Military Command.
After he joined the army, he worked hard and actively studied blasting and other techniques. He was awarded the honorary title of Five-Good Warrior for three consecutive years, and won third-class merits twice. He was also awarded the titles of Model Communist Youth League Member and First-Grade Technical Experts.
On July 14, 1965, he was ordered to perform militia training at Zhanglou Commune in Peixian County, Xuzhou.
The fuse connecting the explosives package suddenly went off when he was dealing with mine explosion. Wang Jie did not hesitate a moment to spread his arms to cover the explosives, and saved the lives of 12 militiamen and local armed officers.
Li Yanqing, one of Wang Jie’s fellow soldiers: "Because it was our first real-time training, so each of us wanted to see it carefully and all went forward. It was not long before we had shoveled a few pieces of soil when the detonator suddenly exploded. It was too late to remove the detonating device. It was too late to throw the explosives out and throw it away. It was too late for the comrades to evacuate. Wang Jie rushed forward in a desperate effort to cover the explosives. Right at this time, the explosives exploded."
In a diary entry, Wang Jie wrote: We must not be afraid of suffering, not afraid of death as we want to be fearless persons. More than half a century has passed, and The spirit of Wang Jie has influenced and inspired generations and is our precious spiritual wealth.
A student of Wang Jie Middle School, Pizhou city: "Our school is named after Wang Jie. He is a real hero."
Hou Xingjia, founding head of Wang Jie’s squad: "Wang Jie’s spirit will pass down from generation to generation."
(Source:ourjiangsu.com)
