Liu Fangwu
Liu Fangwu (Chinese: 劉放吾; 17 April 1898 – 29 June 1994) was a Chinese Nationalist (KMT) general, a graduate of Whampoa Military Academy, best known for his leadership in the Battle of Yenangyaung.[1][2][3]
Liu Fangwu | |||||||
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| Native name | 劉放吾 | ||||||
| Born | April 17, 1898 Renyi Town, Guiyang County, Hunan, Qing China | ||||||
| Died | June 29, 1994 (aged 96) Los Angeles, California, U.S.A | ||||||
| Allegiance |  Republic of China | ||||||
| Service/ |  National Revolutionary Army | ||||||
| Years of service | 1929–1954 | ||||||
| Rank | Major general | ||||||
| Unit | Chinese Expeditionary Force | ||||||
| Battles/wars | |||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 劉放吾 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 刘放吾 | ||||||
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| Liu Jishu | |||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 劉繼樞 | ||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 刘继枢 | ||||||
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| Buji | |||||||
| Chinese | 不羁 | ||||||
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Biography
Liu was born Liu Jishu (Chinese: 劉繼樞) in Renyi Town of Guiyang County, Hunan, on April 17, 1898. He attended the Lanjia Joint Middle School (now Guiyang No. 1 High School). After graduating from Whampoa Military Academy, he enlisted in the National Revolutionary Army. In July 1942, he participated in the Battle of Yenangyaung led by Sun Li-jen in Burma, rescuing more than 7000 British soldiers and 500 American journalists and missionaries.[4]
After the Chinese Civil War, he moved to Taiwan with his family. Liu retired in January 1954 and emigrated to Los Angeles in 1977.
In 1992, the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher met with him and thanked him for saving the British army.[1] On July 27, 1992, former US President George W. Bush wrote a thank-you letter to him.[5]
Liu died of illness on June 29, 1994, in Los Angeles.
Personal life
Liu married Liu Zhenru (Chinese: 柳振如), their son, Liu Weimin (Chinese: 劉偉民), is a Chinese-American entrepreneur.[6][7]
Television
It is said that the character Long Wenzhang (Chinese: 龍文章) of My Chief and My Regiment (Chinese: 我的團長我的團) is based on the real-life of Liu Fangwu.[8]
References
- 刘放吾：折射湖湘文化精神的抗日名将. Sohu (in Chinese). 2017-04-02.
- 民族英雄刘放吾：迟到半世纪的荣誉. 163.com (in Chinese). 2015-04-14.
- 马英九祭拜中国远征军 恸哭拭泪(图). iFeng (in Chinese). 2014-09-30.
- 抗日名将刘放吾. yuanzhengjun.cn (in Chinese). 2012-12-28.
- 为啥这位中国老兵让英国首相寻找 令美国总统感谢. iFeng (in Chinese). 2017-08-17.
- 中国远征军的精神：一个抗战老兵眼中的刘放吾将军和仁安羌大捷. vccoo.com (in Chinese). 2018-04-23.
- 刘放吾将军次子刘伟民先生回家乡湖南桂阳探亲. gyxnews.com (in Chinese). 2014-07-18.
- “我的团长”刘放吾. hnrb.voc.com.cn (in Chinese). 2014-09-17.
Further reading
- Gerald Fitzpatrick. Chinese Save Brits-in Burma (Battle of Yenangyaung).