Hero war pilot Peng dies at 90
Source: Xinhua |
August 24, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PENG Jiaheng, a 90-year-old former pilot who flew with the American Volunteer Group, known as the Flying Tigers, died from acute myelogenous leukemia on Sunday afternoon in Beijing, family members said yesterday.
Peng is the only pilot from the Chinese mainland who was awarded the "Distinguished Flying Cross" by the US government in 1945.
The Distinguished Flying Cross, authorized by an Act of Congress in 1926, is a medal awarded to officers or enlisted members of the US armed forces who distinguish themselves in operations through their heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat.
Peng donated his Distinguished Flying Cross in March 2005 to the Beijing-based Memorial Hall of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Peng suffered from acute myelogenous leukemia in 2009 and received bone marrow transplants from Peng Zhuonan, his youngest son, last December. He was reportedly in good health before his relapse on July 20, said Peng's wife, Fu Rumei.
"My father was very concerned about his AVG companion, Wang Yanzhou's health, when he was at the end of his life," said Peng Zhuonan.
With Peng's death, Wang Yanzhou and Wu Qiyao are the only surviving AVG pilots in the Chinese mainland. Wang and Wu live in the eastern provinces of Shandong and Zhejiang, respectively.
Peng himself requested an end to his medical treatment and money donations for his care, his wife said.
"I am only an ordinary old person. Incurable diseases are common for my age and medicine can hardly sustain my life," said Peng several days before he passed away.
He made a will, giving 160,000 yuan (US$23,570) to surviving comrades-in-arms and to public welfare work.
A memorial meeting for Peng will be held on Saturday at the Babaoshan Cemetery.
Peng, born in Indonesia in 1921, was enrolled in the Whampoa Military Academy in 1937 and went to the US to learn to fly in the 1940s. He joined the AVG in 1944, an air unit organized by the US to help China during the World War II.
Peng survived one air battle, sustaining more than 20 bullet holes in his plane. He fought in 64 air battles against the Japanese air force.
Li Laigen, whose grandfather was Peng's schoolmate from Whampoa Military Academy, said he visited Peng every other day after his relapse.
"The veterans are real heroes in my heart," said Li, in his 20s. "I looked after him all these days, because I wanted to be closer to the hero."
Peng is the only pilot from the Chinese mainland who was awarded the "Distinguished Flying Cross" by the US government in 1945.
The Distinguished Flying Cross, authorized by an Act of Congress in 1926, is a medal awarded to officers or enlisted members of the US armed forces who distinguish themselves in operations through their heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial combat.
Peng donated his Distinguished Flying Cross in March 2005 to the Beijing-based Memorial Hall of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Peng suffered from acute myelogenous leukemia in 2009 and received bone marrow transplants from Peng Zhuonan, his youngest son, last December. He was reportedly in good health before his relapse on July 20, said Peng's wife, Fu Rumei.
"My father was very concerned about his AVG companion, Wang Yanzhou's health, when he was at the end of his life," said Peng Zhuonan.
With Peng's death, Wang Yanzhou and Wu Qiyao are the only surviving AVG pilots in the Chinese mainland. Wang and Wu live in the eastern provinces of Shandong and Zhejiang, respectively.
Peng himself requested an end to his medical treatment and money donations for his care, his wife said.
"I am only an ordinary old person. Incurable diseases are common for my age and medicine can hardly sustain my life," said Peng several days before he passed away.
He made a will, giving 160,000 yuan (US$23,570) to surviving comrades-in-arms and to public welfare work.
A memorial meeting for Peng will be held on Saturday at the Babaoshan Cemetery.
Peng, born in Indonesia in 1921, was enrolled in the Whampoa Military Academy in 1937 and went to the US to learn to fly in the 1940s. He joined the AVG in 1944, an air unit organized by the US to help China during the World War II.
Peng survived one air battle, sustaining more than 20 bullet holes in his plane. He fought in 64 air battles against the Japanese air force.
Li Laigen, whose grandfather was Peng's schoolmate from Whampoa Military Academy, said he visited Peng every other day after his relapse.
"The veterans are real heroes in my heart," said Li, in his 20s. "I looked after him all these days, because I wanted to be closer to the hero."
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