Phùng Quang Thanh was born on 2 February 1948 in Thạch Đà commune, Mê Linh, Hanoi. In 1967, he joined the army at the age of 18 and was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam, then known as the Vietnam Workers' Party, one year later. In his early years, Thanh fought in various battles of the Vietnam War notably in the Quảng Trị campaign and during the counter-offensive of the Vietnam People's Army against Operation Lam Son 719 where he served as company commander in the 9th Battalion, 64th Regiment, 320th Division. According to Vietnamese histography, during the combat on 10 February 1971, Thanh led a squad in defending a hill against a company of airborne troops of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam with aerial support, finally, his unit was able to drive back the attack after putting out of action 38 enemy soldiers for which Thanh alone was credited with eight killed. Two days later, he was once more recognized when Thanh, despite being wounded in the left hand, remained in battle and commanded his platoon to accomplish the mission. For this feat of arm, Thanh was awarded the prestigious title Hero of the People's Armed Forces on 20 September 1971. In June 1971 he was ordered to leave combat to study in the School for Infantry Officers, later in the Academy of Infantry, he was also appointed commander of the 9th Battalion, 320th Division, 1st Army Corps from 1972. During the war, he received total three Liberation Distinguished Service Medals, 1st Order, three Brave Soldier Titles and other awards. After the Vietnam War, Thanh continued to hold several positions in the 1st Army Corps from chief of staff of the 64th Regiment to acting commander of the 312th Division in 1988. In 1991, after two years studying in the Soviet Union and the Military Academy of Vietnam, Thanh was promoted to commander of the 312th Division. Afterwards, he served in the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army from 1993 to 1997 and as commander of the 1st Military Zone from 1997 to 2001. In May 2001, Thanh became Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of Defence of Vietnam. Five years later, he was elected to the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam and began to hold the position of Minister of Defence of Vietnam, succeeding General Phạm Văn Trà.
2015 health rumours
General Thanh visited France for medical care on June 24, 2015, due to complications from a wartime lung injury. The month-long absence sparked rumors of an assassination attempt; he was reported dead on July 19 by a German newspaper but this later was found to be false; he made a full return to Hanoi on July 25.
Rank
Phùng Quang Thanh was promoted to Major General in 1996, Lieutenant General in 19981996, Colonel General in 2003 and Army General in 2006.
