April 1942. In the wake of the Doolittle Raid, 16 American B-25 bombers took off from the USS Hornet to strike Tokyo. Short on fuel and with damaged planes, 80 airmen parachuted into Zhejiang province on the Chinese mainland, uncertain of their fate.
Amid smoke and fear, local villagers saw only fellow humans in need. Armed with rice, medicine, and unwavering bravery, ordinary families guided dozens of stranded airmen through remote valleys. They evaded enemy patrols, navigated flood-swollen rivers, and carried the wounded on bamboo stretchers—all at great personal risk.
One rescuer was young Tung-Sheng Liu. Decades later, his daughter Melinda Liu shares how her father and his neighbors opened their doors to strangers, forging bonds that transcended language and nation. Their courage turned a daring military raid into a timeless story of shared compassion and resilience.
More than a heroic footnote, the Doolittle Raiders’ rescue reminds us that in the darkest hours, empathy endures. As our world faces new crises, this tale asks: In moments of need, will we choose courage and compassion over fear?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
