by the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam to be the Secretary (Bí thư) of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for a short time before returned to the Air Force as Deputy Commander in June 1977. Trần Hanh became the Commander of the Air Force in March 1986 and Deputy Chief of the General Staff (Phó Tổng tham mưu trưởng) of the Vietnam People's Army from April 1989 to October 1996. From November 1996 to December 1999 Trần Hanh was appointed to the position of Deputy Minister of Defence of Vietnam before retired in 2000. He was also deputy of the National Assembly of Vietnam and member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. After retired, Trần Hanh was elected to the General Secretary (Tổng thư ký) of the Vietnam War Veterans Association (Hội cựu chiến binh Việt Nam). Rank and decorations Trần Hanh was promoted to Major General (thiếu tướng) in 1984 and Lieutenant General (trung tướng) in 1989. In 1967 Trần Hanh was awarded the prestigious title Hero of the People's Armed Forces (Anh hùng lực lượng vũ trang nhân dân). Besides, he was bestowed on various medals and decorations such as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade Military Exploit Order (Huân chương quân công), the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade Medal of Glorious Soldier (Huân chương Chiến sỹ vẻ vang) or the Badge of Hồ Chí Minh (Huy hiệu Hồ Chí Minh). Notes North Vietnamese military personnel of the Vietnam War 1932 births Generals of the People's Army of Vietnam Hero of the People's Armed Forces Living people Alternates of the 4th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Government ministers of Vietnam