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Hairy · 06-12-2006, 11:05 PM

Stayed in Taiwan from early 1963 to late 1966. Couldn't afford living among the Americans, so I found a place in a Chinese community.

We loved it--my son learned Chinese from playing with the other children (no Americans). He ended up majoring in East Asian Studies and speaks, reads, and writes Mandarin.

Was first assigned to the J-3 of the Taiwan Defense Command for about 3 months and then moved to the Flag office. VADM Gentner, USN was the ranking officer on the Island and his assistant was USAF Brig Gen Frederick Sutterlin. He was followed by BG Watkins (claim to fame was he got his aircraft up against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor--didn't shoot any down tho--and as he said, "I didn't get shot down either."

Wife and I visited Quemoy, one of the off-shore islands, on a day the Chinese Communists weren't firing their propaganda shells. In typical Chinese fashion, the Communists would advertise their firing schedule so no one would be hurt. LOL

We also had the pleasure of meeting Chiang Kai-Shek when he gave an audience. I didn't particularly want to go but my bride insisted, saying we wouldn't have another opportunity to see such a world figure again. She was right.

All in all, it was a great tour; met some wonderful people and developed an appreciation and admiration for the Chinese.

06-12-2006, 11:05 PM	#10
Hairy User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Hudson, FL Posts: 120 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Stayed in Taiwan from early 1963 to late 1966. Couldn't afford living among the Americans, so I found a place in a Chinese community. We loved it--my son learned Chinese from playing with the other children (no Americans). He ended up majoring in East Asian Studies and speaks, reads, and writes Mandarin. Was first assigned to the J-3 of the Taiwan Defense Command for about 3 months and then moved to the Flag office. VADM Gentner, USN was the ranking officer on the Island and his assistant was USAF Brig Gen Frederick Sutterlin. He was followed by BG Watkins (claim to fame was he got his aircraft up against the Japanese at Pearl Harbor--didn't shoot any down tho--and as he said, "I didn't get shot down either." Wife and I visited Quemoy, one of the off-shore islands, on a day the Chinese Communists weren't firing their propaganda shells. In typical Chinese fashion, the Communists would advertise their firing schedule so no one would be hurt. LOL We also had the pleasure of meeting Chiang Kai-Shek when he gave an audience. I didn't particularly want to go but my bride insisted, saying we wouldn't have another opportunity to see such a world figure again. She was right. All in all, it was a great tour; met some wonderful people and developed an appreciation and admiration for the Chinese.