Wang Mingjian, fuel hero of China's first atomic bomb, dies at 87

  The surging news reporter learned from the two-bottle and one-star historical research meeting that Wang Mingjian, China’s first nuclear bomb fuel hero and senior engineer of the original infrastructure engineering corps of the People’s Liberation Army, died in the morning of July 7 at Shaanguan Nuclear Industry Hospital 419, Guangdong, at the age of 87 .

  Public information shows that Wang Mingjian was born in June 1933 in Nanzhang County, Xiangfan City, Hubei Province. He is a senior engineer, a member of the Communist Party of China, and a national model worker. He invented the method of extracting ammonium diuranate from ore, which is the first in China. The Jiashui Metallurgical Plant solved the raw material problem for China’s first atomic bomb explosion and was the fuel hero of China’s first atomic bomb.

  In 1955, Wang Mingjian graduated from the Central South Institute of Mining and Metallurgy; from March 1957 to June 1958, he studied at the Beijing Expert Group; from June 1958 to May 1961, he served as secretary of the party branch in the Second Research Office of the Third Institute of Beijing; From May 1961 to April 1964, he served as the leader of the extraction team at the Fifth Institute of Beijing. During this period, he invented the "simple uranium refining method", "controlled extraction method" and the synergistic effect of neutral organic compounds on anionic extractants. Solved the raw material problem of China's first atomic bomb, made a great contribution to the early explosion of China's first atomic bomb, and attended the National Qunying Congress in 1959 and was awarded the title of National Advanced Producer.

  Wang Mingjian worked in the 741 Coal Mine and 00251 Army from April 1964 to May 1995. He served successively as the factory director of Factory 202, technical team leader of Factory 708, and senior engineer. During November 1977, he attended the National Infrastructure Engineering Work Conference and was Awarded the title of advanced producer of infrastructure engineering soldiers (won the title of national model worker twice). In 1988, he was awarded the Medal of "Dedication to National Defense Technology" by the National Defense Science and Technology Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and retired in 1995.

  According to the "Hubei Missionary" WeChat public account published in November last year, ""Jing Chu Model" Wang Mingjian: 40 years of devotion to the national defense, 85 years old struggle endlessly": In July 1956, Wang Mingjian, who had just graduated from Zhongnan Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, was ordered a secret Assigned to 309 Brigade, mainly engaged in atomic bomb research. At that time, China's entire nuclear industry system was still in its infancy, and there were no formal uranium mines or factories for processing uranium ores. The Second Machinery Department decided to establish a 309 brigade hydrometallurgical plant in a village in Guangdong, and appointed Wang Mingjian as the director and technical director, requesting that the uranium dioxide raw materials needed for the atomic bomb be taken out within six months.

  Wang Mingjian did not flinch: "The task assigned to me by the party must be completed!"

  At the end of 1958, a telegram was sent home saying that grandma was in critical condition, but that was the time of intense research and production. "I can't go back, I am facing a national event." Wang Mingjian said. When the second telegram came, my grandmother had died. Wang Mingjian threw a head at the telegram and put it into work again. "I was raised by grandma from childhood, but until she passed away, I still didn't know what I was doing outside!" Over the years, Wang Mingjian has been deeply guilty.

  In August 1959, Wang Mingjian experienced two explosions containing nuclear radiation in his experiment, and he was burned in many places on his body, almost killed. In April 1964, after repeated experiments, he finally completely solved the fuel problem of the atomic bomb. At 3 pm on October 16, that year, China's first atomic bomb was successfully tested and shocked the world.

  For decades, Wang Mingjian has remained silent on his contribution to the first atomic bomb. Until the 50th anniversary of the atomic bombing was celebrated in 2014, when the National Office of "Two Bombs and One Star" found Wang Mingjian and asked if there were any requirements, Wang Mingjian waved his hand: "I don't have any requirements, as long as the motherland and the people need them, I will be glorious!"

  Surging News Chief Reporter Yue Huairang