The "tank man" deserves all credit for being an inspirational human being possessing both a backbone and a conscience, and willing to use both. Too bad the world doesn't know about another "tank man," Republic of Viet Nam Marine Sergeant Huynh Van Luom. During Hanoi's 1972 blitzkrieg offensive an NVA armor column was about to cross the Dong Ha bridge. Had it crossed the river (a la "Saving Private Ryan" final scene) Hue, Da Nang and all of Military Region I would have been in jeopardy. Sgt. Luom stood on the Dong Ha bridge, faced down the lead NVA tank which was not about to stop, and disabled it with M-72 LAW antitank missle. No reporters were there. Sgt. Luom's act was one of incredible defiant courage; he was at far more risk than the Tiananmen "tank man," yet he remains unknown to the poorly informed US public.
The injustice in all this is disgusting.
Horatius at the bridge....