In 1955, the Chinese People's Liberation Army carried out the reform of the military rank system for the first time in history, marking the further regularization and modernization of the people's army in the new historical period. In this process, many outstanding military commanders and soldiers were given their due ranks, and what is remarkable in this process is the unique experience of General Chen Qihan.
Chen Qihan, born in Jiangxi, joined the Communist Party of China in his early years, and from the beginning of his participation in the revolutionary struggle, he was constantly reused by his superiors with his outstanding military talent and strong will. In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, he repeatedly demonstrated superb command ability and won the deep trust of his comrades-in-arms and subordinates. As a result, he was appointed to important military leadership positions in the early years of the army.
In 1955, the setting of military ranks made many officers feel apprehensive and excited. The central authorities decided to let some veteran generals fill in their military ranks on their own, as a sign of respect and trust for them. Chen Qihan did not hesitate to fill in the "lieutenant general", which was out of his recognition of his own ability and historical contributions. However, it was the rank of "Major General" that was finally awarded to him. This rather dramatic result has sparked extensive discussion in military circles and society.
Some people believe that the reason why Chen Qihan was filled in as "lieutenant general" precisely reflects his confidence in his past combat experience and his ardent expectations for the future. Regardless of the final outcome, this self-positioning had important significance in the historical context of the time. First of all, this shows the importance that the military attaches to every general who participated in the revolution, and reflects the necessity and urgency of the internal reform of the PLA. Second, Chen Qihan was not the only officer to experience this, which also reflected the complexity and diversity of the times at the time.
In the process of researching this incident, the author learned that the reason why Chen Qihan was finally awarded the rank of major general was not only based on his personal historical contributions, but also based on the overall assessment of the current situation of many military talents, including him. In the early days of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the establishment of military levels was closely related to the development of the country and the strategy of army building. The senior leaders hope that through the appropriate military ranks, the officers and soldiers will be motivated to strive for the construction of a new China.
Although he failed to fulfill his self-proclaimed wish to be a "lieutenant general", Chen Qihan still showed his extraordinary talent in his later career. As always, he set an example, carried forward the revolutionary spirit, and took an active part in the construction of the country, especially in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. His tenacity and dedication have inspired countless future generations of military personnel and set a good example in the military.
When looking back on history, we should not only focus on the military ranks of individuals, but also look at the entire country and people, especially in that historical period, many generals who dedicated themselves to the country are just such representatives. With the passage of time, Chen Qihan's deeds and spirit have gradually been remembered by future generations, and have played a positive role in promoting the development of the PLA.
In a sense, although Chen Qihan did not have the rank of lieutenant general, he proved the qualities of a true military leader with practical actions. Regardless of rank, the true glory lies in his contributions and sacrifice for the army and the country. In the years that followed, his name still shines brightly, and he has established an indelible legend among the fighters who love the motherland and defend the people.