Despite Adverse Conditions the Combined Will of Our Military and People Were the Key to Our Continuing Survival

During the '8 - 2 - 3' (August 23rd Bombardment), American Airman Joel Aronson was stationed at Taipei's Linkou Air Station. As he recalls that period of combat that in addition his admiration for the officers and men of our national forces, he has highest praise for the patriotism and determination of the people.  It is because he went through that troubled time together with our forces and our citizens that Aronson has returned to Taiwan to mark the 50th anniversary of that time and he feels (justifiably) proud for having participated in the '8 - 1 - 2' Campaign. During 1958 and 1959 & 1960 and 1962 Aronson was assigned to Linkou and to the Air Operations Center. Recalling those times, he says that because he could speak and understand Chinese he was assigned there to monitor communist Chinese communications. He went on to say that because of his work in that area and because he could understand what the communist Chinese were saying in their communications, he gained a clear understanding of their aggressive intentions and the situation with his comrades in our national forces.

Even though some 50 years have passed since those dark days, Aronson has been left with a deep and lasting impression of the reasons why the communist Chinese with overwhelming military strength were not able to invade Taiwan.  He says that from what he personally observed and has subsequently learned, other than having coordination and support from American forces, it was Taiwan's having complete intelligence about the combat situation from beginning to end, being able to complete required planning early on, having full knowledge of the enemy's intended actions; and, moreover, and most importantly and key to our victory was the steadfast determination and bravery of our forces and the combined will of our forces and citizens in their determination to preserve our homeland. It was for these reasons that we were able to keep the communist Chinese from gaining the upper hand and that from that time on the Republic of China has been able to establish a peaceful and flourishing democracy.

Joel Aronson has a great love of photography and during the times he was stationed here in Taiwan he took a great many pictures that depict the various aspects of life as it was in those days. He has even preserved many of those photos on his personal web site and now those valuable pictures are a record of Taiwan during those times and during the events of the '8 - 2 - 3' Campaign. Returning here 50 years after the events of those times, Aronson said that in addition to bringing back many memories and emotions from the past, at the same time he is experiencing the joy of seeing how Taiwan has grown as both a country and a society.

As for having participated in the '8 - 2 - 3' Campaign, Aronson says it makes him feel proud of having the opportunity to served alongside Taiwan forces during those times and he feels honored for having been able to do so.

Translation by Joel's friend and fellow USAF Chinese linguist, Luther Deese, of Ocala Florida. Now retired after a long military and government career, Luther is one of the United State's foremost Chinese language specialists.