In 1955, he was among the first group of military leaders to be awarded the Shang Jiang (Senior General) rank.

He stopped schooling and joined the People's Liberation Army when he was 17 and fought his way through countless battles and military campaigns.

Han's early military background and tough childhood offered him a revolutionary mindset and a brave character.

Han showed bravery and perseverance in numerous fights defending the local Communist powers, and proved to be an ardent supporter of the revolution.

In November 1934, the Red 25th Army began a strategic retreat, known as the Long March to avoid annihilation by the Kuomintang.

In February, 1936, Han was transferred to the newly established Red 75th Division, 224th Regiment as Colonel, and participated in Mao Zedong's East March (东征).

Han's forces attacked and occupied Dingbian County (定边县) (disobeying Peng Dehuai, Marshall of the Army at the time, who ordered Han to march around Dingbian City), and Yanchi County (盐池县), destroying the Nationalist's 2 cavalry battalions and 1 security regiment.

After the campaign in early 1937, Han went to the military academy in Yan'an to learn strategies against the Japanese Imperial Army.

The battle resulted in a minor, morale-boosting victory in which the Communists were able to capture a cache of weapons and annihilate a Japanese brigade.

Because the disaster of the Battle of Kuningtou, Chinese communist commanders were wary of Island Campaigns, Mao Zedong issued a stand down to frontline commanders like Su Yu, Lin Biao and Chen Yi, to halt all military operations until the Soviet aid arrives.

In February 1967, Han chaired the committee of Fujian front-line troops, the CPC Central Military Commission.

The first President Li Xiannian praised General Han as "a candor, straightforward, righteousness leader."