Heroic pilot Nguyen hospitalised in a coma

He was hospitalised on September 16 in coma due to a stroke. Doctors held a consultation on his condition, but he was too weak for a surgery. Bay then passed away at 9 pm on Sunday.
 

Bay flew 94 flights with a MiG17 and shot down US aircraft during the American war (photo by Laodong)

Colonel Nguyen Van Bay who was born in 1936 the southern province of Dong Thap joined the army at the age of 17 and was assigned to the 923rd Fighter Regiment where he began his first aerial combat in the northern province of Lang Son.

Bay flew 94 flights with a MiG17 and shot down US aircraft during the American war. 

He was honoured as a military hero in 1967. He has been living in his hometown in Dong Thap Province since his retirement in 1989.