Chinese, US Veterans Pay Tribute to Hero Pilots

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, October 19, 2002

Chinese, US Veterans Pay Tribute to Hero Pilots

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A group of World War II Chinese and American veterans held a memorial ceremony Friday in Washington to honor more than 1,500 United States and Chinese airmen who lost their lives during that historic period of cooperation against theJapanese enemy.

The ceremony was held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia. The 25 veterans, including some who flew the Himalayan "Hump" airlift and some of the original 100 Flying Tigers and Doolittle's Tokyo Raiders, were joined by family members of past heroes in the war.

The veterans laid a wreath in the Rotunda, and then paid tributes before the graves of General James Doolittle and General Claire Chennault of the Flying Tigers.

Among those who participated in the ceremonial events were General Li Laizhu, former commander of Beijing Military Area Command, General Song Chengzhi, former commander of the People's Liberation Army Artillery Forces, retired US Navy Captain Charles Mott, and "Hump" pilot Fletcher Hanks.

Addressing the ceremony, Li Laizhu said those who lost their lives in the war against Japanese fascism were real heroes.

"The Chinese people will never forget their names. They will always cherish the peace earned with blood and lives, and will always cherish the friendship between the two peoples consecrated during that historic period of cooperation," he said.

During the war against Japanese fascism, Chinese and Americans forged a bond of shared sacrifice and cooperation in the interest of a common strategic purpose. United States commercial and military pilots bravely aided the Chinese people and armed forces.

The often-told military stories between the two nations included flying critical supplies across the most difficult airspace in the world, over the Himalayan Mountains via "The Hump",General James Doolittle's Tokyo Raiders seeking refuge in China and General Claire Chennault's Flying Tigers Squadrons fighting the Japanese air force. Their dedication paved the way for ultimate victory against Japan.

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