US Taiwan Defense Command: Vice Admiral Gentner

Monday, January 14, 2008

Vice Admiral Gentner

I came across this photo at the Naval Historical Center website. You can see a larger version by clicking on the photo. In the center is Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, who was the Chief of Naval Operations (Designate). To his left is Vice Admiral William E. Gentner, Jr., who was Commander of the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command and to Admiral Moorer's right is Admiral Feng Chi-chung, Chinese Navy Commander-In-Chief. The photo was taken on 7 July 1967.

I previously posted what I believe to be a fairly accurate listing of Air Force generals who served at USTDC Chiefs of Staff, but I've never been able to locate information about Navy admirals who served as USTDC Commanders. If anyone knows where I can find such a listing, please let me know.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...: I believe the three star Vice Admiral Commander USTDC was always the highest ranking officer on Taiwan throughout the years. Gentner was on duty at TDC all throughtout the time I served at HSA from Jan 1965 - Jan 1967. He had a house on Grass Mountain and as a courtesy invited some of us Navy enlisted for tea to thank us for serving as the US Military Dragon Team during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Admiral Moorer gave a pep talk to us at the East Compound Theater sometime in Mid to late 1966. The HSA ranking officer was Navy Captain Hollinshead during this time.; 14 January, 2008 21:16
Anonymous said...: Thanks for posting the picture. In 1968, admiral Thomas Moorer was honored with a black marble plaque by admiral Feng Chi-Chung. I would like to know how to get some pictures of that ceremony that would show that plaque.; 08 March, 2008 05:58

Overview

The United States Taiwan Defense Command was a sub-unified command which reported directly to the Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC). The command was composed of personnel from all branches of the U.S. armed forces and had its headquarters in Taipei.

Operational since November 1, 1955, USTDC was a planning headquarters for the defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores. In the event of hostilities, the Commander, USTDC, would have assumed an operational role and coordinated with the Government of the Republic of China in the defense of Taiwan and the Pescadores. In the event of such a contingency, three existing service commanders would have reported to the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command commander. The 327th Air Division commander would be the air component commander, the Taiwan Patrol Force commander would be the naval component commander, and the Chief of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) would be the Army component commander.

In addition to planning and peacetime responsibilities, the Commander of USTDC was assigned as the Single Senior Military Representative of Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC). As such, he served as CINCPAC's single military spokesman on Taiwan -- exclusive of the miliitary assistance program -- and assumed responsibility for coordinating administrative and other policy matters for all U.S. armed forces on Taiwan on behalf of CINCPAC.

After twenty-three years, five months and twenty-six days of operation, the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command held its final flag retreat ceremony during the afternoon of April 26, 1979. Marine SSG D. J. Gemmecke lowered the colors for the last time.

Rear Admiral James P. Linder, the last USTDC Commander, departed Taiwan on April 28, 1979, accompanied by his wife Patricia.

Today there is no trace of the large American military compound on Chung Shan North Road in which USTDC was located. The area now contains a modern art museum, a park and a large sports stadium.

I am not a historian, but I do recognize that history unrecorded is history lost. My objective here is simply to record some of my own experiences as an Air Force enlisted man during my assignment to USTDC from 10 June 1973 until 4 September 1974, and to provide a platform for others to do the same.

Feel free to comment on any of these entries or to e-mail me with your own experiences and photographs. My e-mail address is displayed at the top and bottom of this column, or you can comment on any of my entries by clicking on "Comments" directly under each one.

Don Wiggins
SMSgt (Ret), USAF
Arkansas, USA
USTDC, J-12

Regarding Photographs

To the best of my knowledge, all photographs on this blog are either in the public domain or are displayed with the permission of their owners.

Owned photographs remain the sole property of the individuals who provided them. They are not to be downloaded, copied or reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of their owners.

Send all requests for consent to me, through the email link at the bottom of this column, and I will pass them along to the owner of the photographs.

If you see any photographs here, past or present, which you believe have been inappropriately posted, contact me at the email address shown at the bottom of this column and they will be removed.

USTDC

Monday, January 14, 2008

Vice Admiral Gentner

2 comments:

Taipei

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