US Taiwan Defense Command: List of USTDC Commanders

Monday, November 8, 2010

List of USTDC Commanders

Many thanks to LTC Scott Ellinger for his research into the identities of all ten admirals who served as Commander, U.S. Taiwan Defense Command (COMUSTDC). Following this list is a photograph of each admiral.

(殷格索中將) VADM Stuart H. Ingersoll: Nov 1955 - Jul 1957

(竇亦樂中將) VADM Austin K. Doyle: Jul 1957 - Jul 1958

(史慕德中將) VADM Roland N. Smoot: Jul 1958 - May 1962

(梅爾遜中將) VADM Charles L. Melson: May 1962 - Jul 1964

(耿特納中將) VADM William E. Gentner Jr.: Jul 1964 - Jul 1967

(邱約翰中將) VADM John L. Chew: Jul 1967 - Aug 1970

(包柏格中將) VADM Walter H. Baumberger: Aug 1970 - Sep 1972

(貝善誼中將) VADM Philip A. Beshany: Sep 1972 - Aug 1974

(史奈德中將) VADM Edwin K. Snyder: Aug 1974 - Aug 1977

(林德少將) RADM James B. Linder: Aug 1977 - Apr 1979

Click on the image below to view the full-sized version.

4 comments:

Zhuxiu said...: What about US Naval Attaches? Does anyone remember the name of the Naval Attache from 1963-1964?; 08 November, 2010 20:59
Don said...: Zhuxiu,

As far as I know, the US Naval Attaches were not assigned to the US Taiwan Defense Command.; 09 November, 2010 06:40
Zhuxiu said...: Don, I understand that the Naval Attaches were diplomatic postings and not part of USTDC. I was just wondering if anyone worked up a similar list as that one for TDC.; 09 November, 2010 21:07
titojohn said...: Zhuxiu,

I found this:
Pay-Per-View - Los Angeles Times - Apr 3, 1963
TAIPEI&Capt Andrew. W Long of Springfield Mo outgoing naval attache of the U.S. Embassy was awarded Nationalist China's Order of the Cloud and Banner...; 09 November, 2010 21:29

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, November 8, 2010

List of USTDC Commanders

4 comments:

Taipei

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