2020 was the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and also that of the needless murder by the Japanese of 14 American airmen who were being held inside the walls of the Taihoku (Taipei) Prison. In all 25 airmen who had been shot down or crashed during allied air attacks on the island from October 1944 to May 1945 were held in the infamous jail.
On May 29th 1945, 14 of them were taken before a Japanese War Tribunal, accused of 'indescriminate bombing' and with no defense, were found guilty and sentenced to death. On June 19th 1945, only 58 days before the Japanese surrendered, the sentence was carried out and the 14 were shot to death by a Japanese firing squad. Most were very young men between the ages of 20 to 24.
In 2005 a memorial service was held by part of the old prison wall that surrounds the Chunghwa Telecom Company compound on June 19th - 60 years to the day of the murders.
In 2009 the Taiwan POW Camps Memorial Society succeeded in erecting and dedicating a memorial plaque to all 25 airmen and also to those who were murdered there those many years ago.
In 2015, a 70th anniversary service was again held by the wall, and on that occasion - thanks to the auspices of Chunghwa Telecom, participants went inside their compound to visit the actual location where the murders took place. Most years a small gathering of local friends assembles at the wall on or around June 19th to remember the airmen and honour their sacrifice for our freedom.
On Saturday June 13th 2020, a 75th Anniversary service of remembrance was once again held by the old wall of the former Taipei Prison to honour and remember the American airmen. More than 60 participants gathered in the new park by the wall for the event. Once again, prior to the ceremony, the group visited the site inside the Chunghwa Telecom compound (now part of the former prison), where the murders of 14 of the airmen took place.
Following a brief description of the circumstances regarding the murders by the Society Director, piper Mal Turner played 'Amazing Grace' and a minute's silence was observed in remembrance of the men. Then our piper led the march back to the memorial on the wall for the service.
We were honoured to have as special guests, the Minister of the ROC Veterans Affairs Council - Gen. Feng, Shih-Kuan (Ret.) and several VAC staff, Cdr. Robert Hochstedler, Navy Liaison Officer representing The American Institute in Taiwan, and Lt. Col. Tony Hu, USAF (Ret.), the Acting-Commander of Taiwan Post 9957 Veterans of Foreign Wars, to take part in the program. Deryk Walker from the Taiwan Re-enactors Association came suitably dressed in a period WWII American airmen's uniform which added a bit of nostalgia and realism. Society Deputy Director, Mark Wilkie was emcee for the service.
The POW Society director shared the story of the captured airmen, their trial and their needless murder, and then messages of tribute were brought by the US Government, the ROC Veterans Affairs Department and from Director Chou, Wan-Min of Chunghwa Telecom.
Mrs. Morgan Everett read the poem entitled 'Miss Me But Let Me Go ' contributed by the sister of one of the slain airmen. Tony Hu read the poem ‘Remember Us ’ which was followed by a message on 'remembrance' and a prayer by Rev. David Homer of Grace Church in Taipei. Wreaths were then laid against the old wall - accompanied by a lament from the piper, and then the playing of Taps and a minute's silence followed. Richard Arnold, a history teacher from the American International School, led the reading of the ‘Ode of Remembrance ’, and to end the service the (recorded) American National Anthem was played - fittingly by the United States Air Force Band.
We thank all those who joined with us for this very special service of remembrance to honour the airmen. Let us never forget them or their sacrifice for us.
Taiwan's Central News Agency produced a video of the event - click this link to go to the Facebook video
- https://www.facebook.com/focus.tw/videos/3037698936308823/?
Here are a few photos from the event – courtesy TPCMS Board Member William Wang.
The group at the execution site Amazing Grace Observing 'proper social distancing' Cdr. Hochstedler
Morgan Everett VAC Minister Feng Chunghwa Telecom Director Chou Tony HU - VFW Rev. Homer
Minister Feng Lays Wreath The participants by the wall Some of the 14 murdered airmen
For those wishing to visit the old prison wall and the Airmen's Memorial, they are located at Lane 44, Jinshan South Road Sec. 2, [ 金山南路2段44巷 ] which is about a block south of Xinyi Road on the west side of the street. The park is located about a 5-minute walk from Exit #3 of the Dongmen MRT Station.