Lin Yueqin

Linyueqin (1913 – November 22, 2003) was an important figure in the People's Liberation Army of China, holding numerous significant positions. She was born in 1913, with her ancestral hometown unknown. In her early years, she engaged in revolutionary activities and joined the Chinese Red Army in January 1930. After joining the Red Army, she was appointed as a propagandist in the Propaganda Team of the Political Department of the Fourth Front Army, responsible for propaganda work to help the masses understand the fighting spirit and revolutionary goals of the Red Army.

In December 1931, Linyueqin served as the director of the women’s factory at the logistics supply department of the Fourth Front Army, later being promoted to commander of the Women’s Engineers Battalion. In this role, she led her comrades to overcome various difficulties, producing clothing, hats, shoes, socks, and other daily necessities to ensure the basic needs of tens of thousands of soldiers. In January 1935, she participated in the famous Long March of 25,000 li with the Fourth Front Army, responsible for food procurement and ammunition transportation, providing vital logistical support to the front lines. After the First and Fourth Front Armies united, she served as the company commander of the Women’s Transport Unit at the Grain Department and later as the head of the Nursing Squad at the Central Health Institute. During the Long March, she repeatedly climbed snow-capped mountains and crossed grasslands, enduring hardships and tests.

In October 1936, through the introduction of He Changgong, Linyueqin became a member of the Chinese Communist Party, and in December of the same year, she was transferred to work in the Woman’s Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. In January 1937, she entered the Central Party School for study, and on May 16, she married Luo Ronghua in Yan'an.

During the Anti-Japanese War, Linyueqin served as the secretary of the confidential section of the Xian office of the Eighth Route Army and served as party branch secretary with meticulous and rigorous work. She also held positions such as instructor at the Party Member Training Class of the Jinxinan District Committee and secretary of the branch of the direct subordinate detachment of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army. During the war, she actively contacted the masses and assisted cadres, being regarded as an “older sister” and confidant. She also served as a political officer in the Confidential Section of the Shandong Military District, ensuring the security of military telegrams and caring for the seriously ill Luo Ronghua.

In May 1947, due to organizational arrangements, she was proposed as deputy director of the Organizational Department of the Political Department of the Northeast Field Army. In July of the same year, she founded and served as principal of the Northeast Field Army Cadre Children’s School, established to cultivate revolutionary successors. Despite the rugged conditions, she personally arranged teaching materials and selected instructors, earning the nickname “Mother Lin.” In 1951, she proposed the establishment of Beijing No. 11 Primary School and served as its principal, and the school became one of the key schools in Beijing.

In 1955, Linyueqin was awarded the rank of major general and received the Second-Class August First Medal, the Second-Class Independence and Freedom Medal, and the Second-Class Emancipation Medal. In February 1961, she served as deputy director of the Office of the Director of the General Political Department and as director of Luo Ronghua’s office. During the Cultural Revolution, she resolutely opposed the persecution by the Lin Biao anti-party group, but was subjected to struggle sessions and house arrest before being sent to Conghua County, Guangdong.

In her later years, starting from May 1978, she served as an advisor to the Cadres Department of the General Political Department, focusing on military cadres system reform and actively reflecting grievances, wrongful convictions, and errors. She often served as a deputy to the National People's Congress, a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and as a member of the All-China Women's Federation and the Welfare Foundation for the Disabled. She also contributed to education and social welfare causes. She passed away in Beijing in November 2003 at the age of 90. Her life was praised as “a life of fighting, selfless dedication to the Party and the people.”