A 1963 propaganda campaign cemented the status of Lei Feng, a soldier in the People's Liberation Army, as a national symbol within the People's Republic of China. Following his death in 1962, the state promoted his life as a model of selflessness, modesty, and unwavering devotion to the political ideology of the Chinese Communist Party and Mao Zedong.
Early Life and Career
Born in 1940 in the Wangcheng District, Lei Feng entered the world during a period of upheaval. Official accounts state his immediate family perished before the founding of the People's Republic. His father died during the Japanese Army invasion, while his brother and mother died shortly thereafter. In 1958, he began working as a bulldozer operator for the Angang Mining Company after being recruited in Changsha. He eventually joined the People's Liberation Army as a sergeant, serving in a transportation unit.
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Lei's death occurred in Anshan on 15 August 1962, when he was struck by a telephone pole while directing a truck. The following year, Lin Biao introduced a diary attributed to Lei to the public. Containing approximately 200,000 words, the document expressed deep admiration for Mao Zedong and a desire to serve the revolution as a rustless screw. This publication initiated the Learn from Lei Feng campaign, which aimed to repair the image of the leadership following the Great Leap Forward.
Historical Authenticity and Legacy
The historicity of Lei Feng and the validity of his diary remain topics of academic debate. While some evidence suggests excerpts appeared in media between 1959 and 1960, Western historians often view the narrative as a propaganda fabrication. Critics frequently cite the professional quality of photographs showing him performing mundane tasks as evidence of staged events. Despite these questions, the persona persists in Chinese culture, with the term huó Léi Fēng used to describe individuals who exhibit selfless behavior.
Fast facts
- Born: 1940, Wangcheng District
- Died: 15 August 1962, Anshan
- Citizenship: People's Republic of China
- Occupation: Soldier
- Military Rank: Sergeant
- Primary Affiliation: People's Liberation Army
Questions readers ask
How did Lei Feng die?
He died in 1962 when he was struck by a falling telephone pole that had been hit by an army truck he was directing.
Was Lei Feng a real person?
While a soldier named Lei Feng may have existed, researchers generally believe the figure presented in propaganda campaigns was a construction of the state.
