Chapter 75 74. Ouyang Hai—Steel and Flesh Bravely Save the Masses

Ouyang Hai (1940-1963), male, Han nationality, was born in Guiyang County, Hunan Province, and a member of the Communist Party of China. He joined the army in 1959 and was the squad leader of the 7th Company of the 68302 Unit of the Chinese People's Liberation Army during his lifetime. In the winter of 1963, during a camping training, he died heroically in order to protect the lives of more than 500 passengers. In 1964, he was awarded the honorary title of "Model of Love for the People" by the Guangzhou Military Region, and he was awarded first-class merit.In the same year, the Ministry of National Defense named Ouyang Hai's class as "Ouyang Hai Class".Zhu De, Dong Biwu and other revolutionaries of the older generation wrote inscriptions calling on the military and civilians across the country to learn from Ouyang Hai's communist style of sacrificing oneself and saving others.

Ouyang Hai was born in a poor peasant family in Liantang District, Guiyang County, Hunan Province.Since childhood, he has suffered a miserable life in dire straits.When Ouyang Hai was 7 years old, he brought his younger brother begging from door to door with a dog-beating stick. Ouyang Hai, who was 8 years old, took on the burden of life. In 1949, the Communist Party liberated Ouyang Hai's hometown. 9-year-old Ouyang Hai got the warmth of the world for the first time.He loves the Communist Party and the People's Liberation Army. He dreams of becoming a soldier with a gun in his hand, standing guard for the people, and defending the fruits of victory of the revolution.

In the winter of 1958, Ouyang Hai reached the age to be drafted into the army.He ran to several places to sign up, but all came to nothing.When the recruits gathered in Shaxi the next day, Ouyang Hai, who hadn't registered, pestered the cadres of the Military Service Bureau to ask for it.The comrades in charge were moved by his enthusiasm and additionally approved his enlistment. Ouyang Hai joined the Communist Youth League only 3 months after enlisting in the army, and made third-class meritorious service for the first time with outstanding labor.One year after Ouyang Hai joined the army, he was promoted to monitor.In order to do a good job in the whole class, he took the lead everywhere and worked hard.Five shots, four excellent; sports subjects, the superior required the completion of 3 exercises on the single and parallel bars, and he completed 7 ahead of schedule; learning tactics, he struggled during the day, studied textbooks at night, and became familiar with the rules.The squad leader's exemplary actions inspired the comrades in the whole class. In just a few months, the fourth squad led by him became the tactical model squad of the whole division.Ouyang Hai made a third-class merit for the second time.

In May 1960, Ouyang Hai joined the Communist Party of China with honor.He deeply felt that the burden he was carrying was even heavier.He believes that as a member of the Communist Party, he should work hard at all times and shoulder heavy responsibilities bravely. When the troops participated in the construction of the railway, Ouyang Hai was suffering from severe diarrhea.The leadership decided to let him rest in the barracks.He earnestly asked: "Company commander, I am a party member, and the whole company is going to support socialist construction. How can I stay at home because of a minor illness." The company commander Guan Yungui couldn't hold him back and pleaded repeatedly, and finally allowed him to come to the construction site.The railway construction time is tight and the tasks are heavy. In order to speed up the construction process, the leaders decided to set up assault teams in each platoon to carry out red flag competitions.At the mobilization meeting, Ouyang Hai snatched the red flag in his hand: "No one can take this red flag away!" He led the whole group to pick soil, and everyone carried two loads, trotting back and forth.On the first day of the competition, the other groups had an average of 140 dan, while Ouyang Hai's Red Flag group had an average of 200 dan, which greatly exceeded the specified quota.For one and a half months, the red flag has been held by Ouyang Hai.

The task of repairing the railway was completed ahead of schedule, and Ouyang Hai made third-class merit for the third time. In November 1963, the company was ready to go camping.At the mobilization meeting, Ouyang Hai expressed his determination to everyone and said: "Camping is a test for each of our soldiers. The seventh squad and I promise to complete the tasks assigned by the party." In the early morning of the 18th, Ouyang Hai followed the artillery company into the canyon.Suddenly, not far away, a train rushed out of the gap between the two mountains.In an instant, the valley roared, the ground trembled, rain and fog flew, and flying sand pierced the face.As the train approached, the artillery company, a timid black horse, was suddenly frightened, carrying a tall steel gun mount, and crazily jumped onto the railway track, lying in the middle of the road, staring, trembling, motionless.

The galloping train was only 40 meters away from the war horse carrying the gun carriage, and it was about to cause disaster!With extraordinary agility, Ouyang Hai rushed onto the railway track without hesitation.With all his strength, the petrified animal was pushed out of the track.Ouyang Hai was seriously injured and lay prone on the sand outside the track.Deputy squad leader Zeng Jiefeng and soldier Li Fusheng hurriedly embraced the squad leader.The train slid for 300 meters and stopped, and the drivers Zhang Shihai and Wang Zhiwei immediately rushed to the place where the hero fell.They took Zeng Jiefeng's hand and said excitedly: "Hurry up and save this great soldier, he saved the lives of hundreds of passengers!" county seat.In Hengshan Hospital, Ouyang Hai was lying quietly, he was so serene, as if there was no pain at all. Suddenly, he opened his bright eyes and looked around at the people.Unexpectedly, this was the last glimpse of the hero.

The comrades-in-arms endured tears and sorrow, and planted pine seedlings in front of the martyrs' graves.These seeds with strong vitality have now grown into a red pine forest, standing proudly like a hero before his death...