Wu Wenbin, a military officer who died from massive blood loss in the lungs due to overwork in quake-relief missions, was honored by a new order signed by Hu Jintao, China's Central Military Commission chairman.
The 26-year-old officer with the Jinan Military Area Command, died on June 18 in the quake-hit Sichuan Province after he fainted while unloading material for temporary houses.
His death was the first among Chinese military personnel in the quake-relief missions besides the five crew members killed in a helicopter crash on May 31.
Hu said in his order Wu had done an excellent job in quake-relief missions. He dedicated his life to the well-being of quake-affected people.
He called Wu a "quake-relief hero" in the order. He urged all military forces in the country to learn from Wu who "worked day and night on the front line of quake-relief missions."
China mobilized about 130,000 troops and armed police to help with quake-relief and post-quake reconstruction following the May 12 earthquake.
(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2008)