A delegation of descendants of former U.S. General Joseph Stilwell and members of the U.S. Army Observation Group visited China from October 15 to 29 to honor their contributions to the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945), and carry on the deep friendship forged between China and the United States.
Joseph Warren Stilwell (1883-1946), a renowned U.S. Army general in World War II, served in many positions including chief of staff of the allied China theater.
He devoted huge efforts to supporting the Chinese people in their resistance against Japanese aggressors, forging a profound and lasting friendship with the Chinese people.
After he died, his descendants have remained committed to enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the United States and China.
It was at Stilwell's suggestion, the United States army sent an observation group to Yan'an in 1944, which was also known as the Dixie Mission. This created conditions for direct exchanges between the United States government and the Communist Party of China (CPC). The U.S. Army Observation Group spoke highly of the CPC and the anti-Japanese armed forces it led in their reports, which revealed the true Communist Part of China to the United States and the world at large, thus making positive contributions to peace cause in China, Asia, and the world.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Observation Group's visit to Yan'an, a city in northwest China's Shaanxi Province which was home to the headquarters of the CPC Central Committee and the center of the Communist revolution for 13 years from 1935 to 1948.
One of the visitors is Paula Domke Sterling, daughter of Captain Paul Domke of the U.S. Army Observation Group, who cherishes her father's bravery and openness.
Sterling entered her father's old residence inside the Yan'an Middle School, and looked at old photos of Domke on the wall with her eyes wet.
"It (the Yan'an trip) affected, it influenced his whole life after. As he said earlier, they were comrades (in Yan'an), they were brothers, they forged friendships that were unbroken in their whole life, and now continued on through their families, through the people who have heard their story. And that's just wonderful," said Paula Domke Sterling.
The visit was also marked by a collective remembrance of the deep friendship forged between the American and Chinese peoples during their united struggle against Japanese fascism.
"When we can look at it where our ancestors and forefathers did during much harder time than we have now, we can use it as a symbol as ways that we can unite and work together going forward," said Andrew Bunce, Stilwell's great-grandson.
"(I believe that) my children and then that generation, they can continue the friendship that the Stilwell family has with the Chinese people, keep it going for another five generations or more," said David Bunce, Stilwell's another great-grandson.
In Chongqing in the southwest, General Stilwell's former residence in the municipality has now turned into a museum to commemorate his great contribution and friendship with the Chinese people.
His descendants admired the photographs of the general, which date back to when he was just a young schoolboy. His old belongings and even his diary is on display at the museum.
The visiting descendants also paid a visit to Beijing, the Chinese capital.
Descendants of former US army observation group visit China
