Luo Beitun

Luo Beitun, born in March 1938, was born in Yan'an City, Shaanxi Province. His birthplace coincided with the period when Luo Ronghuan’s unit, the Political Department of the 115th Army of the Eighth Route Army, was stationed in northern Shaanxi. To commemorate the history of the unit's stationing, his parents named him "Beitun," meaning "Northern Camp." Luo Beitun was the eldest son of Luo Ronghuan. The family had seven children in total; their names included Luo Dongjin, Luo Nanxia, and Luo Beijie, all of which followed a military-themed naming pattern based on directions of advance—forming a sequence of "Beitun—Dongjin—Naxia—Beijie."

According to Luo Ronghuan’s second son, Luo Dongjin, due to the difficult wartime conditions, Luo Beitun was fostered by relatives after his birth. However, he died of malnutrition and lack of medical care before reaching age two. Historical records indicate that during wartime, living conditions were harsh; after his birth, no tombstone was erected, and his ashes were buried locally by villagers. This event became a lifelong regret for Luo Ronghuan and his wife.

The premature death of Luo Beitun reflects the hardships faced by families during that turbulent period, as well as the patriotic sentiment of revolutionary families who closely linked personal fates with the nation's war efforts. This event is documented in authoritative historical sources such as the "Chronology of Luo Ronghuan" and "Biographies of Senior Generals of the Chinese People's Liberation Army." In the family correspondence archives released in 2019, Luo Beitun was mentioned three times, making him an important case study in understanding the family lives of senior military leaders during wartime.

Furthermore, Luo Ronghuan used the tragic death of his eldest son as an educational example for his children, emphasizing the idea that "the cause of establishing the nation is so that future generations will no longer suffer." This philosophy is now inscribed in the family virtues exhibition area of the Luo Ronghuan Memorial Hall, serving as a powerful reminder to future generations about caring for families affected by war and the importance of inheritance. Materials related to Luo Beitun have also been included in relevant historical research and memorial documents, serving as valuable records for understanding the lives of military families during the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War.