An armored infantry company of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force, whose predecessor was the storied "Liulaozhuang Company" founded in 1943, was awarded the title of "Role Model of the Times" by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee on Thursday.

The department praised the company as "heroic successors of the Liulaozhuang Company" and called on the public to learn from their spirit, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Liulaozhuang Company's legacy dates back to March 1943, when an 82-member unit of the New Fourth Army fought against more than 1,000 Japanese and collaborationist troops in Liulaozhuang village, Huai'an, Jiangsu province.

After a fierce battle, all 82 soldiers were killed. Following the battle, local residents quickly formed a new company of 82 young men to carry on their comrades' mission, naming it the Liulaozhuang Company.

The reestablished unit went on to distinguish itself in subsequent campaigns during the War of Liberation (1946-49), and since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, it has taken part in multiple disaster relief operations in China and United Nations peacekeeping missions.