Han Xianchu

Han was born in a farming village in Huang'an County (黄安), modern day Hong'an County (红安), Hubei Province in February, 1913 (Hong An is known for being the hometown of many Military Generals). He stopped schooling and joined the People's Liberation Army when he was 17 and fought his way through countless battles and military campaigns. Han's early military background and tough childhood offered him a revolutionary mindset and a brave character. He had a nickname of "Tornado Commander", indicating his ever-changing tactics in the battlefield and the quick moves like the storm. He was also known as the "Best Field Commander" of PLA.

Following the full-scale war between the two countries, and according to terms of the 'Second United Front', the 15th Corps was renamed to the National Revolutionary Army's 8th Route Army, 115th Division, 344th Brigade. Han was assigned the 344th Brigade's 688th Regiment's Deputy Colonel.

Because the disaster of the Battle of Kuningtou, Chinese communist commanders were wary of Island Campaigns, Mao Zedong issued a stand down to frontline commanders like Su Yu, Lin Biao and Chen Yi, to halt all military operations until the Soviet aid arrives. Han, however convinced Lin Biao to give him a chance to attack Hainan Island and the Hainan Campaign was a success. Hainan island was the last location taken over by Mao's forces during the civil war and the nationalists had to give it up and retreat to Taiwan Island with no other choices.

Han was the Commander of 40th Army under 15th Army Group during the Korean War. After the Hainan Campaign in May 1950, 40th Army was assigned as one of the four strategic armies deployed at Henan Province. Soon after the Korean War broke off, 40th Army was sent to Korea as one of the four armies firstly entering Korea. Han was promoted as the Vice Commander in chief of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. On October 25, 1950, 40th Army fired the first shot of Sino-US military conflict in Korea. China claimed it was the first day of its involvement in Korean War. 40th Army participated 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Phase Offensives. It was the campaign at the West Front that Han was in charge of by heading a small commanding headquarters. For most of the time, his commanding headquarters consisted of only three people and always on the road. Under his command, 116th Division of the 40th Army was the first to capture Seoul on January 6, 1951.

Han served as the first Military Chief of Staff of People's Liberation Army, Deputy Chief of Staff and commander of Military Region, Fuzhou, party first secretary, first secretary of the CPC Fujian Provincial Committee, Lanzhou military commander in chief and party's second secretary of the CPC Central Military Commission members and is on the Standing Committee.

In 1955, Han was awarded the rank of General, an independent Medal of Freedom, a Liberation Medal. He was elected to be on the first session of the CPPCC National Committee and the Fourth National People's Congress, he was on the first, second and third National Defense Commission. In 1958, on the eighth Session of the CPC, Han was the first to be elected to be the alternate member. In February 1967, Han chaired the committee of Fujian front-line troops, the CPC Central Military Commission. In 1983, Han was elected as the Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the Chinese Communists ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth session of the Central Committee. On October 3, 1986, General Han died in Beijing. Marshal Xu Xiangqian complimented General Han as "a heroic warrior." The first President Li Xiannian praised General Han as "a candor, straightforward, righteousness leader." On May 18, 1987, the city Hongan held a grand ceremony for him, and placed his ashes in Hungan military memorial cemetery.

Han Xianchu (February 1913 – 1986 10.03), Hubei Province, Huangan (now Hongan) County. In 1929, he joined the Chinese Communist Youth League, in 1930 joined the Communist Party of China. During Agrarian Revolutionary War, he served as the Red Army troops-two hundred twenty-five twenty-fifth mission's squad leader, platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander, Red Army fifth regiment, twenty-four, seventy-eighth army commander. He also participated in the Long March. During the Anti-Japanese War, he served as the Deputy Head of Division, at 689 Regiment, Deputy Brigade Commander at 344 Brigade; the Brigade Commander at the 3rd Brigade and Chairman of the new Shandong and Henan Military commander of the Third Military Region of the China People's Anti-Japanese Military. During the Liberation War, he served as the deputy commander of the fourth column at the Northeast Democratic coalition, third column commander of twelve and forty-second of the Fourth Field Army Corps; Deputy commander of the Thirteenth Corps; Deputy commander in chief of the Chinese People's Volunteers Troops, Nineteenth Corps's Commander, Chief of Staff of People's Liberation Army Southeast Military Region, Fuzhou; Deputy Chief of Staff and chief military commander of People's Liberation Army Central Military Region, Lanzhou; he also served as Standing Committee of the CPC Central Military Commission. In 1955, he was awarded the rank of General, a Military Honorable Medal, Medal of Independence and Freedom, Medal of Liberation; he was also on the Standing Committee serving as Vice Chairman for the Chinese Communist Party National Congress, and was on behalf of the Seventh, Eighth Standing Committee of the Central Committee, ninth, tenth, XI, XII session of the Central Committee.

• List of officers of the People's Liberation Army
• Ranks of the People's Liberation Army
• Chinese Civil War

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