As some of ya'll may or may not recall, some of ya'll are obviously not old enough to recall, in 1958 there was a major confrontation between the Republic of China on Taiwan (Nationalist China) and the Peoples Republic of China (Red China) on the Mainland over the ownership and occupation of the Quemoy and Matsu Islands in the Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and Mainland China. It was also an attempt by Mao Tse Tung to bring control of Taiwan back to Mainland China. Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek, leader of the Republic of China on Taiwan resisted. There ensued both ground and aerial warfare for several months. I was a member of a U.S. Marine jet fighter squadron deployed to an ROC Air Force Base at PingTung Taiwan, backing Chiang Kai Shek. I recieved an email today informing me that, after fifty years, I had been certified to recieve two medals issued by the Republic of China to veterans who participated in the operations. We who participated recieved certificates of appreciation from the Republic of China at the time, but I wasn't aware of the medals until a former Sergeant of mine emailed me a while back. Guess I should be out celebrating, but it's bed time.
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