Legacy In Flight: Flying Tigers Honoured In China Reunion

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- Families of the legendary Flying Tigers and historians gathered on Sept 7 at the Liuzhou Military Museum to honour the legacy of American volunteer pilots who fought alongside Chinese forces during World War II.

The event spotlighted personal stories and historic artefacts, including photos of pilot Clifford Ray Long, displayed alongside his son and grandson—marking three generations of United States-China ties.

“This is our family's story etched in both nations' history,” said Clifford Ray Long Jr.

Long Sr joined the Flying Tigers at the age of 19, surviving 104 combat missions. One of his most harrowing involved a dogfight with 13 Japanese fighters, ending in a crash landing that nearly took his life.

According to a statement, attendees included Virginia Lynn Krippner, who identified her uncle in a wartime group photo and donated a vase once gifted to him by grateful Chinese villagers.

She expressed her hope that more people would be able to learn about this friendship through objects like the vase.

Meanwhile, the Flying Tiger Historical Organization vice president in the United States, Ma Kuanchi said the friendship forged in war still flies high, recalling emotional reunions between American veterans and their Chinese wartime rescuers.

Speaking at the gathering, Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Chairman, Jeffrey Greene emphasised the importance of cooperation embodied by this shared history.

He announced plans to bring more American students to Flying Tiger friendship schools in China next year, fostering deeper historical and cultural understanding.

The exhibition, showcasing over 1,000 items from both countries, opened to the public and will remain free to visit indefinitely.

-- BERNAMA