China commemorated the American “Flying Tigers” aircrew who fought alongside Chinese forces during World War II in a ceremony held in Nanjing on September 3. The tribute marked the 79th anniversary of Japan’s defeat in the war and included the release of a list detailing 2,590 American airmen who lost their lives aiding China in its resistance against Japanese aggression. The list, made public for the first time, provides the names, ranks, and dates of death for these aviators, many of whom were part of the famous Flying Tigers.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the First American Volunteer Group (AVG), were U.S. pilots who supported China in its fight against Japanese forces from 1941 to 1942. Their missions included air combat and vital transport operations across the Himalayas.
At the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall, the names of American airmen who served and died in China were etched onto a monument. Among those honored was Jack W. Hammel, a 23-year-old pilot from Michigan who died in July 1945 when his fighter plane was shot down by Japanese forces in Jiangxi province.
Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, spoke at the ceremony, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the Flying Tigers. “The spirit of the Flying Tigers remains a great treasure,” Xie said, noting their significant contributions in shooting down over 2,600 Japanese aircraft. He also spoke on the cooperation of the Chinese people in rescuing more than 200 American airmen during the war.
The ceremony in Nanjing aimed to promote people-to-people exchanges and foster goodwill despite political challenges. Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, attended the event and spoke of the importance of youth diplomacy. He highlighted ongoing exchange programs between U.S. and Chinese students, emphasizing that these students are “grassroots diplomats” representing the future of U.S.-China relations.
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