Taiwan Honors LTC Frank W Lynn on Kinmen **UPDATED**

"On Sept. 3, 1954, 5,000 shells descended on Quemoy.

MAAG Taiwan  Lt. Cols. Frank Lynn and Alfred Medendorp were among the dead that day.

The shelling grew heavier; during the campaign, an average of 10,000 Red rounds were fired daily.

Part of a article from "The Cold War in Asia" by Michael Haydock, from the VFW Magazine.  

This week, the Kinmen Defense Command unveiled a monument recognizing LTC Frank Lynn who perished on September 3, 1954,  while under shelling attack from China.

You can read about the ceremony in  today's Taipei Times Newspaper  HERE .
and in today's China Post Newspaper  HERE

Way back in 1992, the other MAAG officer killed on 3 September 1954,  LTC Alfred Medendorp was honored:



In 1992, a plaque was unveiled in honor of LTC Alfred Medendorp. The Medenhorp family was transported to the very spot where LTC Medendorp was killed.  There, they witnessed the dedication of a monument erected in his honor.

Chinese epitaphs

US military Lt. Col. Alfred Medendorp, a former member of the U. S. Army Military Assistance Group was killed in combat at the Kinmen Shuitou Wharf during the Artillery Bombardment of September 3rd (September 1954). He died in action under the fire of the Communist China’s artillery. He was 47 years old (1907-1954).

In the fall of 1954, on the eve of the Southeast Asia Convention, Communist China attempt to exert pressure over the nations attending the convention to influence the agenda of the convention. Driven by a desire to pound the Kinmen area in a surprise offensive, China bombarded a navy vessel docked at Shuitou Wharf to strengthen its international clout, thus bringing to reality its political blackmail scheme. Since Communist China dared not launch a direct offensive, it resorted to the violent bombardment of Kinmen.

September 3, 3:00 p.m. Communist Chinese artillery began pounding the islands of Kinmen (Greater Quemoy and Lesser Quemoy), and sending surprise attacks on Shuitou Wharf. Kinmen Defense Commander Gen. Liu Yu-Chang immediately ordered the artillery troops to launch counter strikes to suppress the Chinese attacks. Communist China pounded Kinmen for two straight hours that day, and continued to launch fragment cannon attacks until 8 in the evening. None of the villages along the coasts of the Kinmen Islands had been spared. The military accounted over 5,000 rounds had been fired to Kinmen. The offensive was a prologue of the cross-strait artillery battles between Communist China and Taiwan.

(Artillery Bombardment of September 3rd) In the fifteen-day period that followed September 3rd, Communist Chinese fired 8,767 cannon rounds towards the Kinmen area. The attacks damaged the Shuitou Wharf and several civilian housings, as well as killed over 10 military personnel; Lt. Col. Alfred Medendorp of the United States Military was among those killed in action. The heroic fighting spirit of the front defense line awed the Communist Chinese troops and earned the respect and admiration of the ROC and foreign nationals.

In memory of the unselfish and heroic sacrifice of Lt. Col. Medendorp, the R.O.C. Government issued a “Cloud and Banner Medal” of honor award to him. In 1992, upon the request of the National Guard Association of the United States, the government erected a monument at the spot where Lt. Col. Medendorp was killed. The monument was designed and constructed under the supervision of the contemporary Lieh-Yu Division Commander - Army Major General Kao Hua-Chu and the incumbent Chairman of the Veterans Affairs Commission. Following the completion of the stone, the Chief of the General Staff, General First Class Liu Ho-Chien inscribed the memorial epitaph. The stone (Lt. Col. Alfred Medendorp monument) was erected on August 7, 1992.

The monument inscription:

In Commemoration

ALFRED MEDENDORP

(1907-54)

Lieutenant Colonel, Army of the United States 

U. S. Army Military Assistance Group

first U. S. soldier killed in action 

at this location during hostile artillery bombardment

3 September 1954

Colonel Medendorp, a National Guard officer from the

State of Michigan, volunteered to help defend freedom

After distinguished combat service in WWII.

Awarded the Republic of China 

Order of the Cloud and Banner 

November, 1954

Dedicated. 1992 Republic of China

in coordination with 

National Guard Association of the United States




I am not aware of the reasoning behind why both soldiers were not honored together in 1992.  

According to the New York Times newspaper, " Friday's [Sept. 3] Communist shelling of Quemoy where two U.S. Army officers were killed when the shelter in which they took refuge was hit."

I would suggest one was a combat arms officer and one was a physician.

Could it have been one of those turf things?

No matter, they both were honored, which is an honor in itself.

Thank you Taiwan.....

UPDATE - 8 January 2012 

I received an e-mail this morning from Bruce Swander:  

"I’m a Vietnam researcher working a project – and by coincidence you did an article about 2 Officers killed at the station back in 1954 that intertwined with my project.  Thought you might find this interesting.

 

In July 1954, a group of Viet Cong attacked a MAAG Advisory team just outside of Saigon – killing two and wounding a third American.  The incident is historical in that these two soldiers were the first US casualties of the war.  While documenting this incident, I noticed that the Army had coded the death of one of them – Major Dale Buis – as ‘Accidental’….most likely to keep the attack out of the press at the time.  That coding would have prevented him from being awarded a posthumous Purple Heart.

 

However – after further research – I found that in 1954 DoD had no authorization to award a PH to anyone worldwide, regardless of the situation.  It wasn’t until April/1962 that Pres Kennedy signed Executive Order 11016 – allowing the medal to be awarded retroactively.

 

Within days, the Army issued General Order #24 (attached) – issuing the 3 soldiers in the incident…along with 2 from Kinman Island.  Ironically, I had started to look into this in mid-Dec/2011 – and when I did a search on your 2 to see what was going on – it quickly brought me to your article.  Quite fortuitous."

Below, the General Order awarding the Purple Heart to both officers.  Their names are in Section II. which contains the names of individuals awarded the metal posthumously.

Click on the General Orders below, they will open in a larger size for easy reading.

UPDATE - 22 March 2014

I received note from David Medendorp, son of LTC Medendorp, who was killed during a Chinese Shelling of Quemoy on September 3, 1954, while on-duty with US MAAG Taiwan.

David included two photographs of the 1992 ceremony dedicating a monument located at the site where LTC Medendorp and LTC Flynn were killed 1954.

 Thank you to David Medendorp for sharing these photographs.

David added this note in his mail:

  "An interesting event that occurred in the spring of 1962 while I was serving there.

 President Chiang Kai-shek began to mobilize his military forces for one last effort before his death, to retake the mainland. 

Between his military leaders and the American command, his invasion plans were never allowed to take place. 

However, for about three months all his military, including all American forces on the island, were in full readiness for an attack. 

We can only speculate on what the outcome would have been had he been allowed to proceed."

A Short Visit to Green Lake (Bitan) Late 1960s

Our visit to Green Lake today, courtesy of Jack Hornbeck, Taipei Air Station - 1966-1969

You may want to view previous posts of Jack's Photographs,  HERE and  HERE

The Chinese characters on the wall announce deep water area.

This large stone outcropping is the top of the stone that warns of deep water.

 

A family out for a day of fun on Green Lake.

 The photos above were all taken from this bridge.

This photo was taken in May 2011. 

Refurbished and updated, the bridge is still in use today.

 

Move back and forth between the 2 photos above.  Lots of changes in 45 years!

A few minutes after I took this photo, I biked to the left up the river, where I got caught in a summer thunder and lightning gully washer storm.  The only cover I could find was under a large tree where a group of retired school teachers were also standing.  We waited out the storm and were all soaking wet because of the wind driven rain, our umbrellas were useless that afternoon.  The storm went on for what seemed to be an hour before before the heavy rain slowed.  I jumped on my bicycle and headed for my apartment which was a few miles away.  My visit to Green Lake that afternoon was a day to remember

Another photo taken from the bridge, looking upriver in the 1960s.

Lots more color photos from John soon.

Visiting Taipei's HSA East Compound

Today, more photographs from Jack Hornbeck,Taipei Air Station, 1966-1969.

Jack's previous photos were featured - HERE. 

This aerial photo of the HSA East Compound, taken in the late 1950s or very early 1960s,  provides a nice clear view of the area.

 The Navy Exchange, the square building toward the center right of the photo, building 802 on the map below.
The Navy Commissary Store, the long rectangle building to the left center of the photo, building 808 on the map below.

This map was published many years after the aerial view photo above.

A lot of construction took place after the photo was taken.

Min Tse (East) Road, which is seen on the bottom of the map above, was not completed and opened until the late 1960s.

Photo courtesy of Tom Montelbano, circa 1968

 Let's cross the street (Chung Shan North Road) and walk into the compound.  

APO 96263, straight ahead, inside the gate.

Remember how the Taiwan Military Police would just wave you inside the gate.

I saw some remarks from an American civilian not employed by the US in any capicity, saying he would sneak into the West Compound and have a nice meal at the Navy Cafeteria (building 400) once or twice a month, He missed his American food.   He was never asked for an ID, always walked in along-side some American.

Looking for a traffic light, don't see one. Looks like there was a light, who remembers?

Notice the civilian airliner taking-off from Sung Shan International Airport.

He'll probably climb-up right over the Taiwan Government Military Hostel, (the gray building) seen in the left of this photo.  Many US Military stayed in this hostel one time or another during their tours.

.

                    Navy Commissary Store Taipei under construction 1957.  
Photo courtesy Tom Jones, USASTRATCOM

Many parking stalls available today. Maybe the Commissary Store is closed for inventory or something.  Remember, years ago, the Commissary Store closed a couple of days each week for one reason or another.

The Taipei Navy Exchange.

You've heard the stories, supplier of goods to the US Military community, and foreign embassy communities, not counting the local community who purchased everything legally obtainable, including a host of items not authorized to be sold to the local economy.

This photo is probably one of the best color photos of the Taipei Navy Exchange that's ever been published.

A nice sunny day in Taipei.  Shopping over, heading for the car.

Can someone make out the sign on that shop straight ahead.

It was a pack and crate shop once, a small mini-mart at one time.  
What was it the day this photo was taken?

We're back outside the East Compound Gate, looking across the street toward the West Compound Gate.

Lot's of traffic blocking our view.

Here's a great photo the HSA West Compound Gate.
Where's the traffic light?

Nice blue Chevy across the street.

Photo courtesy of Donald Patrick, taken while in Taipei on R&R in 1967.

We're walking south on Chung Shan North Road.  Everyone remembers the shops on the east side of street which are seen here.

The Linkou Club and Hotel were across the street and down the walkway seen just behind the tree on the left side of this photo.

Photo courtesy Ben Hilmes 1962-1963

Nap time in the cool shade along Chung Shan North Road just down the street from the HSA Compounds.

Notice the CAT Airline Advertising signage along the far side of the road.

Ben returned to Chung Shan North Road after a typhoon blew through.

Looks like about half of the CAT sign was blown away.

We're on the west side of Chung Shan North Road, looking south.

Just a few feet in back, an alley way off to our right would take us the the Fleet Reserve Assn Club, used during the R&R period as the R&R Center for Taiwan.  In later years, the building was taken over by the Navy Exchange

On the next corner,  straight ahead, to the left is the Florida Bakery.

On the right ahead is the gas station.

Looking off into the haze ahead, on the corner on Min Quan is the King's Hotel, a well known establishment.

Here's the next cross street.  To the left, the Florida Bakery, AND, the American Bakery Company.

If you look closely, it appears that the American Bakery is closed and the windows have been removed.

How many readers remember the American Bakery?

I didn't remember it, can't say I even knew it existed.

Here is an interesting piece of history.  From the "History of the US Air Force in Taiwan."  the unofficial document describing much of what went on in the US Air Force throughout Taiwan, from 1950 until 1969. 
If you'd like to read the documents, they are in this blog.  Go to the search box on the right side of this blog and search for "history"  All of the posts should appear.  There are quite a few different posts and it will take some time to comb through them.

Here's the story about the Florida and American Bakery:

From:  History of the US Air Force in Taiwan 1956.

 21 May 1956.  The first bread prepared on Taiwan was delivered by the “American” bakery in Taipei.  This replaced bread shipments from Kadena AB, Okinawa.

Did anyone notice that blue Chevrolet in this photo.  Nice

 Photo courtesy Taipei Signal Army blog.

This photo was taken some time before the color photo above.

We've arrived on the corner of Chung Shan North Road and Min Quan road.

Everyone remembers the King's Hotel.

We'll stop here today.

In our next post we'll make our way up to Shihmen on the north coast and visit John's Hostel and duty station.

Leave your thoughts below in a Comment.

Taipei Air Station Motor Pool

I had an Email from a National Taiwan University (NTU) student who is looking for information about the Taipei AS Motor Pool buildings, 3 of which are still standing today.

Many who were stationed at Taipei Air Station were aware of the motor pool, but few ever ventured back to the area.

Here is his Email with minor corrections by me:

"I am a Taiwanese student studying in National Taiwan University. I take a class for building and planning in this semester and the goal of the class is to reform the building of " Motor Pool" in TAS (no.126 shown in the map attached).

The building  is now used as student space for five departments of management college. I am searching the history of TAS and the " Motor Pool" in detail. May I ask you some  questions of TAS?  Thank you very much!

This photo taken 1968 or 1969 before new Motor Pool buildings were constructed.

Q1: What did people do in Motor Pool and in Supply (no.108 in the map attached)?

  

This photo an enlargement of the buildings seen in large photo above.

Q2: Why was there a loft in Motor Pool? How did it change from that time indoor? 

Do you have any picture of it?

Can you tell the arrangement inside?

Can someone please comment on when the "New Taipei AS" was constructed.  

When did everyone move over to new buildings.  

I suspect the time schedule was, "as buildings became available," what year was it?

Q3: Was Motor Pool built in 1974? In attached picture above, we can see that building A was first build without building B. So when was building B built? What was building B for?

Q4: Was building C built at the same time as building A? What did people do in this building?"

 Here is what I can find in USAF Records concerning the Motor Pool:

 

_{27 June 1962:  Taipei Air Station acquired 3.9 acres of land adjacent to the station for construction of a dormitory, mess hall and motor pool area.}

_{November 1966:   The Motor Pool Complex at Taipei Air Station, which included parking area, auto maintenance shop, auto maintenance administration building, vehicle refueling station, open storage for vehicles, new fence and street lighting was completed at Taipei Air Station at a cost of US $113,000.}

_{30 November 1967:   6213th Air Base Squadron Motor Pool moved into its new area at Taipei Air Station.}

If someone knows any of the answers, please write to us, and we will notify the student who wrote. 

Thank you for any assistance or information you recall. 

 I hope we can come-up with a good time-line regarding the Motor Pool, and hopefully, some information the NTU Student is looking for.

Here's our Email:  taipeiairstation@yahoo.com

 

 

A Taipei Air Station Alumni Checks-In

I recently received a large group of photographs from Jack Hornbeck,Taipei AS, 1966-1969.

Jack was assigned to Taipei Air Station, but his duty section was at Shihmen where he worked as a Communications Technician providing communications and teletype services to our US military personnel working on-board the CAF Radar Site on the north shore.

Jack's work schedule was usually 2 to 3 days at Shihmen, then he would return to Taipei Air Station for a couple of days of R&R, before returning to Shihmen.

 Jack remarked in correspondence with me concerning his feelings of his assignment in Taiwan,  "Needless to say, it was great duty."  

I believe just about everyone ever assigned to Taipei Air Station, or others who were assigned at outposts and facilities all over Taiwan,  would confess the same happiness and heart-felt feelings. 

Today, we'll begin our presentation of photographs from Jack Hornbeck, at Taipei Air Station.

The photos below were taken between 1966-1969 more than 45 years ago!

You may be aware of Taipei Air Station, but many who read this Blog have never visited the facility.

This photo gives you excellent view. Everything was condensed into a very small area.

Taipei Air Station was located just off Roosevelt Road in the south of Taipei.If you came out the gate at the Navy Exchange and turned left, you would drive about 4 miles or so until you came to the circle seen on the above photo.  Also on your left as you approached the circle, stood a tall hill with antenna.

On the left side of this photo is a turn-around circle.  The white and yellow bus is turning to go north, back north, to the Main Navy Exchange and the Grand Hotel.

 The street name was and is, still to this day, Roosevelt Road, honoring of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  

Toward the top of this photo you can see National Taiwan University, circa late 1960s.

The main gate (Entrance) to Taipei Air Station.  

The exit gate was just up the street along this same wall.

As you enter, the first building on the right is the NCO Open Mess, called Club 13 for many years, before it was renamed, in the late 1960s to the Falcon Club.

Here is the stone indentifying the "Falcon Club."  

I personally never cared for the new name.  To me, Club 13 is the name I will hold dear to my heard forever.

When I arrived at Taipei Air Station in 1965, the only place to eat was at Club 13.  I recall my first meal there.  It was lunch, and I felt right at home after having a few minutes to sit down and relax after flying up from Clark AB and being hauled to the base in a crew cab Dodge pickup truck, experiencing the odors of the drainage ditch most of the way from Sungshan AB to Taipei AS.  Sitting in the club, having lunch, refreshed me. This place was nice.  I can live here with no problems.

The first few hours I experienced in Taipei, probably ran true to just about everyone who arrived in Taipei during the daytime.  Everyone took the long ride from Sungshan AB and was quickly introduced to Club 13.  No matter who you are, or how many times you have moved to a new assignment, the first day is always the worst, never knowing what might happen.  Arriving at Taipei Air Station was smooth with everyone standing to greet and meet the new folks arriving. With this type of greeting, your heart was a peace.

The 2165th Communications Squadron building.

This was the unit Jack was assigned to, and where he checked-in after his ride from the airport.

Once you were checked-in, you headed to the barracks, which was about 50 yards down the street, where you got a room and learned about how things ran in the barracks.

Of course, most of us arriving had no idea the barracks was run by the "House Boys."

They took care of everything, you just slept there, showered and changed clothes. 

Does anyone remember what the House Boy fees were?

This photo was probably taken in 1968.  The "new" dining hall (mess hall) was constructed at the far end of the barracks, the 1 story building.

When the dining hall opened, Club 13 lost many of it's customers and it was not as crowded for meals.  

I remember when I first arrived, it was difficult to find a table at lunch time.

This is the "Main Street" of Taipei Air Station.

 At the far end of this street, you see Club 13, the main entrance door just behind the white block wall on the right, with the small tree.

  If you look closely, there are two aluminum display boards just to the right of the main entrance door. Probably upcoming entertainment.

Closer, on the right, the two story building, the 2165th Communications Squadron building.  You'll notice the sign in the front, seen in a photo above.

Take another look at the first photo, the Ariel view of Taipei Air Station, I think you can get an idea of where these photos were taken from.

The pool at Taipei Air Station.

This photo taken from the barracks end of the pool.

 This photo is from Richard Reesh, who was at Taipei Air Station 1966 to 1967.

Here is a photo taken from the barracks, showing the pool and the mountain to the south.

There are more photos of Taipei Air Station in previous stories, located inside the Blog.

Coming up soon, many many more photos from Jack Hornbeckl.