Xiao Yongyin

Xiao Yongyin (; June 1917 – April 29, 2002), also known as Xiao Yongren , was a senior general of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China. Born in Xin County, Henan Province, he joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army in 1930 and the Chinese Communist Party in 1935. Over the course of his military career, he participated in major campaigns of the Chinese Civil War, the Second Sino-Japanese War, and the Korean War, later holding senior command positions in several military regions of the People's Republic of China.

During the Chinese Civil War period known as the Land Revolution, Xiao served in various junior military roles including orderly, squad leader, and platoon leader within Red Army units. He participated in the Fourth Encirclement Campaign against the Chinese Soviet Republic in the Hubei–Henan–Anhui region, as well as major engagements against warlord forces in Sichuan. He also took part in the Long March, enduring multiple crossings of snow-covered mountains and the grasslands.

After the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, Xiao entered the training school of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army. He later served as company commander and battalion commander in the 385th Brigade. During this period, he participated in operations including the attack on Ningjin County in Hebei, actions during the Hundred Regiments Offensive, and various anti-“mopping-up” campaigns in North China. In 1945, he was appointed deputy commander of the 8th Sub-District of the Taihang Military Region, where he led operations in the Jincheng and Jiaozuo regions, contributing to the expansion of Communist-controlled territory in northern Henan and southern Shanxi.

During the Chinese Civil War, Xiao served as commander of the 18th Brigade of the 6th Column of the People's Liberation Army. He took part in major campaigns including the Longhai Railway Campaign, the battles of Dingtao and Juye, and the Yuncheng Campaign. His unit later participated in the Laiwu–Yuncheng operations and the Huaihai Campaign. As part of the vanguard forces of the PLA, he also participated in the strategic movement into the Dabie Mountains, contributing to the establishment of Communist bases in central China.

Following the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Xiao was appointed deputy commander and chief of staff of the 12th Army of the Second Field Army. During the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign, he participated in operations leading to the capture of Chongqing and the consolidation of Communist control over southwest China.

In 1951, Xiao served in the Korean War as deputy commander and acting commander of the 12th Army of the Chinese People's Volunteers. He participated in the Fifth Phase Offensive, the Kumsong Defensive Campaign, and the Battle of Shangganling (Triangle Hill). For his service, he was awarded high military honors by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

After returning to China in 1954, Xiao studied at the PLA Military Academy. He subsequently held senior positions including commander of armored forces in the Nanjing Military Region, chief of staff and deputy commander of the Nanjing Military Region, and deputy commander of both the Chengdu and Wuhan Military Regions. He was known for his frequent field inspections and involvement in operational training and organizational reform within the PLA.

In 1955, Xiao was awarded the rank of Major General. He also received the Order of Bayi (Third Class), the Order of Independence and Freedom (Second Class), the Order of Liberation (First Class), and the Red Star Meritorious Service Medal (First Class). He was a delegate to the 9th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

Xiao Yongyin died in Nanjing on April 29, 2002, at the age of 85.