US Taiwan Defense Command: American Footsteps in Taiwan Images

Saturday, December 18, 2010

American Footsteps in Taiwan Images

Lieutenant Colonel Scott Ellinger just sent me several great pictures of the American Footsteps in Taiwan exhibition that opened in Taipei on December 17th. You can read about the event on the AIT website and there is a Chinese account on Yahoo News.

Patricia Linder was one of the speakers at the opening ceremony, traveling from her home here in the States for the occasion. Her husband was Rear Admiral James Linder, the last Commander of USTDC. I have long recommended her book "The Lady and the Tiger," an account of her experiences during their assignment in Taiwan.

Many of you will see some familiar photographs and memorabilia on display.

The USTDC emblem that was mounted on the building

Mrs Linder and President Ma

Mrs Linder addresses the audience

The exhibition will continue through January 24th. If you live in Taiwan, especially anywhere near Taipei, you'll certainly want to drop by the National Central Library and view this amazing collection of historical items and information.

6 comments:

Audrey Deng said...: The history of USTDC during 1955-1979 is exactly and very important to Taiwan Island and the people of Taiwan. All the people of Taiwan should remember it and never forget it, especially, also should tell their children and grandchildren.

Gone, but not forgotten....

Forever....; 18 December, 2010 16:53
titojohn said...: Don, thanks to you and Scott for the pictures. Please keep them coming!; 18 December, 2010 18:37
Scott said...: TitoJohn,

There will be more photos on the way. I will go back again and take photos of every section.

Scott Ellinger; 18 December, 2010 22:29
minnie said...: This is a wonderful exhibit of paramount importance. It is very attractive and full of memories. Thank you for the effort you put forth into this Scott. I'm sure this will be very successful. I am proud of my parents retaining these items and for Scott and everyone who contributed to the cause. I have put this on Face book for my children and grandchildren. In reviewing the presentation, brings tears to my eyes for the longing to go back to that time of my life.; 30 December, 2010 20:21
Audrey Deng said...: Today, my friend called me and told me that an old church near CCK Air Base in Taichung city re-opened recently and there are the articles regarding USTDC displaying there.

Does anyone know about this news?

Or, can anyone get any photo picture and information about the church near CCK Air Base?

Audrey Deng; 10 January, 2011 04:05
titojohn said...: Audrey, I think the information about the CCK church you are looking for will be found in the Taipei Air Station blog:

http://taipeiairstation.blogspot.com/2010/12/cck-october-2010-visit.html; 10 January, 2011 17:12

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

Saturday, December 18, 2010

American Footsteps in Taiwan Images

6 comments:

Taipei

US Central Time Zone