Võ Nguyên Giáp

Vo Nguyen Giap (August 25, 1911 – October 11, 2013) was a Vietnamese general and politician. He was a crucial military strategist during the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War, where he led the Viet Minh and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) to victory against the French and South Vietnamese forces, respectively. In Hebrew, his name is transliterated as בו נגוין גיאפ. In Vietnamese, his name is written as Võ Nguyên Giáp. Giap is often regarded as one of the most celebrated military commanders of the 20th century. Born in the central province of Quang Binh, Giap joined the Indochinese Communist Party in the 1930s and became a key figure in the independence movement against French colonial rule. His military career was marked by innovative tactics, including the use of guerrilla warfare and strategic ambushes, which proved highly effective against larger and better-equipped adversaries. Giap also served as a government official in North Vietnam, holding various ministerial positions, including Minister of Defense and Vice Prime Minister. His legacy continues to be studied in military academies worldwide, and he remains a revered figure in Vietnam for his role in achieving national independence and reunification.