they are hero without doubt, but it is not because USA fear of china, USA were underterminded to have a full scale war with socialist block. therefore china had chance, otherwise, the power of the industrial nation will crush china (if there were no red russia behind.).
If the power of industrial nations could not crush Vietnam, don't even talk about crush china. General Peng is th boldest, but not the best general. In many cases, he lost too many troops for too few gains. If any other generals command chinese troops, loss could be much less, with no less gain than general Peng made during the war.