In 1955, the Chinese People's Liberation Army held an investiture ceremony, and ten founding generals emerged, but some of them were extremely famous and are still known today, while others are little known, and this gap is regrettable.
So why is there such a big disparity among the top 10 founding generals? And for what reason are the lesser-known founding generals forgotten?
Let's look to the three lesser-known founding fathers for answers.
Founding General Tan Zheng: Tan Zheng, an unknown political worker, is a founding general with profound revolutionary qualifications. During his time in the Red Army, he stood out with his unique way of political work and was an outstanding representative of the Red Army's political work.
In difficult times, Tan Zheng's political work became the key to boosting morale and enabling the Red Army to hold out. He not only went deep into the grassroots units, but also inspired the officers and men through speeches and other means at the troop work conferences, maintained the combat effectiveness of the troops, and made important contributions to the victory of the revolutionary war.
Although he was a political worker, his influence and contribution were no less than that of any commander.
Although Tan Zheng was not directly involved in military command, it was entirely reasonable that he was selected for the rank of general after the victory of the Revolutionary War because of the importance of political work.
Without experience in military command, such an outstanding person in charge of political work could be buried in the long river of revolutionary history and eventually little known. However, Tan Zheng quietly took root in the army after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and although he did not highlight himself and did not show his merits, he was still an excellent political worker.
Although he is little known personally, the excellent qualities he displayed have been retained and have become a valuable spiritual wealth in the people's army.
Zhang Yunyi and Wang Shusheng were two lesser-known cadres among the founding generals, who were one of the founders of the People's Army, led the Baise Uprising, and held important positions in the Soviet base areas.
With this merit alone, Zhang Yunyi was undoubtedly a general after the victory of the revolution. However, because he commanded not many battles in the Revolutionary War, and was basically in the rear after the Anti-Japanese War, his presence was very low.
Wang Shusheng's qualifications are as deep as Zhang Yunyi's, he rose to prominence in the Jute Uprising, and served as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Red Fourth Front Army during the Red Army revolution, and made many military exploits.
He performed well in the anti-encirclement campaign and became a high-profile general in the whole army. However, after the Anti-Japanese War, he was mainly responsible for the rear work, and after the victory of the Revolutionary War, he kept a low profile and silently devoted himself to the modernization and development of the army.
Despite this, his qualifications and military exploits led him to be selected as a general, a recognition of his decades-long revolutionary career.
From Tan Zheng, Zhang Yunyi and Wang Shusheng, who are among the top ten founding generals, although they are little known now and have not made much achievements in military affairs, their contributions in the revolutionary war are undoubtedly worthy of recognition.
Tan Zheng had unique views on the construction of political work, Zhang Yunyi played an important role in leading the revolutionary uprising of the people's army, and Wang Shusheng led the Red Fourth Front Army to complete many combat missions during the revolutionary period of the Red Army.
These exploits earned them the rank of general. Although military rank is an honor, these revolutionary soldiers of the older generation did not stop because of this, but silently paid for the modernization of the people's army and continued to work hard for the modernization of the people's army.
Among the founding generals, there are three known as "behind-the-scenes heroes", who have deep qualifications and great contributions, but have long been little known. However, they did not stagnate because of this, but insisted on forging ahead on the road of modernization, and this spirit of selfless dedication is worthy of our admiration and learning.
They are witnesses of history and the backbone of the people's army, and we should know more about their deeds and pay tribute to them!