tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250918519029199971.post8405450315457746529..comments2022-11-20T02:40:13.525-10:00Comments on My Dad the U.S. China Marine: The United States Marines in North China 1945 - 1949 by Henry I. Shaw, Jr.Jeffrey Bingham Meadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01474261083217267507noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5250918519029199971.post-33784765604650915132011-08-03T17:21:46.322-10:002011-08-03T17:21:46.322-10:00Hi Jeffrey,
My dad is a WWII Marine also, who wa...Hi Jeffrey, <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />Tracy Dyer<br />Spokane, WA<br />tafdyer@gmail.comTracy Dyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09903596145604188651noreply@blogger.com