Legendary jet fighter ace Nguyen Van Bay passes away aged 84

According to information from the hospital, the legendary jet fighter ace – who shot down seven US aircrafts during the resistance war against American imperialism – took his last breath at 9pm after fighting against a stroke at the military hospital.

Earlier, while gardening in his hometown of Dong Thap, Bay suddenly fell into a coma due to a brain haemorrhage. He was taken to Sa Dec General Hospital in Dong Thap Province by his family members and was then transferred to 175 Military Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Colonel pilot was diagnosed with a deep coma and massive bleeding in his brain. Despite the efforts of leading neurologists, Bay passed away at 9pm on Sunday.

Colonel, Hero of the People's Armed Forces Nguyen Van Bay, also known as Bay A, was born in 1936 in Hoa Thanh Commune, Lai Vung District, Dong Thap Province. He was among the 16 Vietnamese pilots to achieve the ACES level (for downing five or more enemy aircrafts) during the US resistant war. In 1967, he was honoured with the Hero of the Vietnamese People's Armed Forces title.

During the war, pilot Bay, who belonged to the 923 Fighter Regiment (codenamed Yen The Regiment), participated in the first battle in the airspace of Bac Son - Chi Lang. Between 1966 and 1967, the former pilot flew the MiG-17, making 94 sorties, 13 firings and downing seven US aircrafts (two F-105s and five F-4s).

After his retirement, Hero Bay returned to his hometown in Lai Vung District (Dong Thap) where he spent his time farming and raising fish in his 5,000 m2 garden.

He was conferred with multiple noble titles from the Party and State, including Hero of the People's Armed Forces, Ho Chi Minh Order, and both second- and third-class Feat Orders.