OPINION:
During the dark days of World War II, American pilots provided hope, grit, military support and brotherhood to the Chinese people battling the scourge of an overwhelming, often brutal invasion. The pilots in P-40 “Flying Tigers” and their counterparts flying cargo supply missions over the Burma hump showcased in deeds what American spirit is often about — helping a friend in need as allies to defeat evil.
It was a remarkable moment in U.S.-Chinese relations. A we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, we should be demonstrably mindful of what bold presidential leadership achieved for the world then and what China and the United States can achieve today with similar leadership. There is no reason our nations cannot once again look at today’s challenges and find ways to conquer them by working together — to fly “over the hump” once again to victory.
China and the United States are dependent on each other. The world has moved from the Wright Brothers to Neil Armstrong in a blink of an eye. We have manipulated the atom and made information accessible at the touch of a button. Yet we fail to fully understand that we can accomplish more together than we can apart. Today we have the two largest economies that can thrive off each other. Today we have joined together again — as allies — to confront such major challenges as climate change. It shows we can be allies again, in many areas.
The United States and China have not always been at odds. Our countries share a unique friendship that has been lost in the annals of history and political differences.
More than two centuries have passed since the U.S. merchant ship “The Empress of China” set sail for China. Her crew, the goods they brought and the new gust of spirit that arrived set the template for harmonious exchanges between China and the United States. Then as the storms of World War II thundered down, there was another arrival that opened the door to the East, that reminded the Chinese of our shared visions and that left a legacy of peace and cooperation.
My grandfather, Gen. Claire L. Chennault, revitalized a defeated Chinese air force and defended China’s skies with his Flying Tigers. Chennault and his American Volunteer Group were instrumental in weakening Japanese forces and saving millions of Chinese people in World War II.
Along with American cargo pilots, my grandfather and the Flying Tigers continued what had been decades of respectful, fraternal cooperation and friendship between Americans and Chinese. Officially known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 194142, the Flying Tigers comprised pilots from the United States Army Air Corps, Navy and Marine Corps, recruited under clear authority from President Franklin Roosevelt to save lives and provide humanitarian and military decisiveness. The shark-faced nose art of the Flying Tigers remains among the most recognizable image of any individual combat aircraft or unit of World War II.
The Tigers first saw combat on Dec. 20, 1941. They destroyed 299 enemy aircraft while losing only 12 pilots. Chewing gum and tape held the planes together and my grandfather’s tactical innovations kept them victorious in the skies. They were usually outnumbered at least 10 to one and never beaten in battle.
Equally stalwart were the cargo pilots, who suffered great losses of personnel and equipment. The first mission “over the hump” was on April 8, 1942. Almost 70 years ago to this day, Aug. 1, 1945, the largest mission occurred, with 1,118 round-trip sorties.
The Flying Tigers story is widely and emotionally commemorated by Chinese. Both sides risked their lives for each other, strengthening the bond between Americans and Chinese. More than 200 U.S. military personnel were rescued by Chinese people at the risk of their own lives, as China fought as a steadfast and key ally.
Although my grandfather died in 1958, his legacy still shows a path to better understanding to our two countries. Diplomacy takes many forms. Ordinary citizens continue to strengthen U.S.-China relations by building on the goodwill left by the Flying Tigers. Today, more Americans and Chinese are traveling between the two countries and study each other’s language. This a bond with the power to transcend differences between our two countries.
In 1949, Chennault ended his memoir, “Way of the Fighter,” with this: “It is my fondest hope that the sign of the Flying Tiger will remain aloft just as long as it is needed and that it will always be remembered on both shores of the Pacific as the symbol of two great peoples working toward a common goal in war and peace.”
This way the Sino-U.S. friendship can flow forever, like the Yangtze and Mississippi rivers.
• Nell Calloway is director of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, La.
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