Background and History Su Yu (August 10, 1907 - February 5, 1984) was a Chinese Communist military leader. He was considered by Chinese Communist Leader Mao Zedong to be among the best commanders of the PLA only next to Lin Biao and Liu Bocheng. Su Yu fought in the Second Sino-Japanese War and in the Chinese Civil War. He commanded the East China Field Army (renamed 3rd Field Army in 1949) during the Chinese Civil War. General Su Yu was the Deputy Commander of the 3rd Field Army.

Activities in Korean War When the Korean War broke out in 1950, it was rumored that Su Yu was the commander that Mao wanted to lead the Chinese Volunteer Army into Korea, because of his experience of commanding a large number of troops. However, because of his illness (caused by shell fragments in the 1930s), neither Su nor Lin Biao (also rumored to be sick) was able to command the CVA. In the end, Peng Dehuai was selected, after Lin refused to lead the army. Su Yu was made a Senior General (General of the Army) in 1955. He served in numerous positions, including the Chief of the General Staff of the PLA in the 1950s. He died in Beijing on February 5, 1984 at the age of 77.