President Luong Cuong signed the decision on 9/12 to award the brave medal to Phan Duy Quang (47, Tay An Vinh hamlet) and Le Van Sanh (37, Tay An Hai hamlet, Ly Son special district). This action followed proposals from Quang Ngai province and the prime minister.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of 6/11, when typhoon Kamaegi made landfall with winds reaching levels 6-8. Phan Duy Quang, who operates a "ram cha" stall near Ly Son port, and Le Van Sanh, a dispatcher for the port authority, witnessed a man unexpectedly jump into the sea.

Hearing cries for help, Quang initially donned a life jacket and grabbed a rope, rushing into the water. However, strong waves and a short rope forced him back to shore. Undeterred, he and Sanh then used a coracle to reach the victim, who was over 100 meters from shore. Despite their efforts, powerful winds swept their coracle further out to sea, and they became adrift.

A large-scale search operation was immediately launched, involving the Port Authority, Air Force, Border Guard, fishing boats, and cargo ships. Search efforts continued for over two days without any trace of the two men. On the morning of 8/11, the cargo ship Hai Nam 39 located and rescued Quang after he had drifted to the Gia Lai sea area (formerly Binh Dinh). Sanh was found unconscious that same afternoon. The man who initially jumped into the sea was also rescued by fishermen from Quang Tri.

All three individuals were eventually brought back, to the emotional relief of Ly Son residents. Prior to the presidential award, Ly Son district and Quang Ngai province had already commended the two men and the various forces involved in the rescue operation.

Pham Linh