The United States Marines in North China 1945 - 1949
by Henry I. Shaw, Jr.
Printed 1960, Revised 1962, Reprinted 1968
Historical Branch, G-3 Division; Headquarters, U. S. Marine Corps
Washington, D. C. 20380 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20380
FOREWORD
The United States Marines in North China, 1945-1949 is a concise narrative of the major events which took place when Marine ground and air units were deployed to the Asian mainland at the close of World War II. The text and appendices are based on official records, interviews with participants in the operations described, and reliable secondary sources. The pamphlet is published for the information of Marines and others interested in this significant period of Marine Corps history.
R. G. OWENS, JR
Brigadier General, U. S. Marine Corps
Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: 29 April 1968
For the text of this article, which has been transcribed and posted online, go to this link.
1 comment:
Hi Jeffrey,
My dad is a WWII Marine also, who was in North China in 1946. I just came across one of his letters aboard ship dated Jan. 2, 1946 and he describes leaving Sasebo and heading for "Yient Sin" which I believe to be Tientsin or Tientjin. He describes the cold seas and snow flurries.
Three years ago he told us a story which I believe occurred in this city. While on duty there, a young girl of about 12 would pass by and say hello to the troops. My dad grew very protective of her. One day she brought her little brother of about six. The boy had no shoes and it was very cold so my dad took his boots off and tied them to the boy's feet. The next day the girl brought him a silk scarf, onto which she had embroidered a pink dragon. It was their custom to repay a gift with a gift, she said.
Dad cherished the gift and kept it stashed away for 63 years. Three years ago he brought it out and told us the story behind it. He wept as he thought of the children. The scarf is in very good condition.
Dad has Alzheimer's Disease now and although his short term memory is gone, his war-era memory is full on and he is sadly, locked into that era. He cannot convey anything about the war without breaking down.
I am on a mission to find out where this story took place, and what the history is of this city during 1946. He always described the child as being "from a village" rather than from a city, so perhaps it didn't occur in Tientjin, but I believe it did.
I will spend a great deal of time reading your blog as part of my research. Thank you for honoring your dad with this wonderful site, and thanks to him for his service.
Tracy Dyer
Spokane, WA
tafdyer@gmail.com
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