US Taiwan Defense Command: The Prodigal Plaque

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Prodigal Plaque

Military units often present plaques or other mementos to those who depart for other assignments. When I was at USTDC, most of us received a plaque and maybe a medal or two. Unfortunately, during one of my moves from one assignment to another over the years, my TDC plaque was lost.

Some time ago, Army LTC Scott Ellinger casually asked me for the dates of my tour at TDC and, after doing a bit of digging, I managed to come up with them.

A few days ago I received a package from Scott that contained a plaque exactly like the one I lost. Actually, the engraved plate is a bit more fancy than the brass plate that was on the original, but otherwise they're identical.

I spoke with Scott this week and he explained that he purchased several items from the estate of the late Navy Vice Admiral Phil Beshany, who was the Commander of TDC while I was there and this plaque was among them. The brass plate was missing but the plaque itself was undoubtedly presented to VADM Beshany upon his departure from TDC a few weeks ahead of me. That makes it even more special to me.

Thanks so much, Scott. It was very thoughtful of you and I sincerely appreciate it.

6 comments:

titojohn said...: Don,
I'm happy for you. You greatly deserve this plaque. You have done more than anyone in keeping the memories of USTDC alive. Thanks to LTC Ellinger for his kindness.
John Quinn; 20 June, 2013 17:21
Anonymous said...: Good on ya, Colonel!; 20 June, 2013 18:31
Scott said...: Don, Look on the USTDC blog May 15, 2012 posting. Posted are the two plaques that I purchased from the VADM Beshany estate.

Scott (LTC, ret.); 20 June, 2013 21:38
Anonymous said...: What a nice and generous thing to do. Well done, Scott, like so many of your efforts these last few years. And no one deserves it more than you, Don.; 24 June, 2013 12:37
Anonymous said...: Would love hearing anything anyone might remember about my Dad: Jack Lester Casselberry. We were stationed there in 56/57/58 (I remember a story about he and others putting communications thru the mountains and a fire and his skin came off with his socks) and again in 67/68/69. When he retired out of Fort Benning (Georgia) in 1973/4 ish, He was a Lt. Col. He died in 75/76. Wife Betty. Sons Jack and Jamie, and Daughter Angela. You can reach me thru LucelWings@aol.com Thanks; 11 July, 2013 14:39
Anonymous said...: An amazing gift and people working together here, all this time right under my nose. Glad you left a trail. Thrilled of the history you all have been preserving, and paving the road for others to follow. Slowing down to smell the roses. My dad used to say "Good on ya!" all the time. Rory O'Neil; 24 August, 2013 04:42

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

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Prodigal Plaque

6 comments:

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