Photo exhibition honoring Flying Tigers to commemorate victory in WWII

To mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, a commemorative photo exhibition honoring the legendary Flying Tigers and the enduring friendship between China and the United States will open in Los Angeles this September.

Jointly organized by the American Flying Tigers Communication Association, or AFTCA, and the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, or SAAHF, "the Legend of the Flying Tiger — Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of World War II" photo exhibition pays tribute to the US volunteer pilots who fought alongside Chinese forces against Japanese aggression during World War II, forming an unbreakable bond between the two nations.

"Through the exhibition, we hope to promote the historical friendship between China and the United States and pass on the legacy of the Flying Tigers to younger generations of Americans," Yu Qing, president of AFTCA, told China Daily at a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The photo collection includes more than 150 rare and valuable wartime images. The materials are drawn from US military archives and the personal collections of Flying Tigers veterans, with support from the US Air Force Museum.

The photos offer a full view of the historical background of the US Air Forces' efforts in China during World War II and the tremendous support provided by Chinese civilians and military, according to Yu.

Having been previously exhibited at prominent venues such as the National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the USS Midway, and the National Museum of the US Air Force, the upcoming exhibition will be the first time it is held at a nonmilitary institution in the United States.

The Flying Tigers — formally known as the American Volunteer Group — were a unit of volunteer US pilots formed in 1941 under the command of General Claire Lee Chennault. Their heroic defense of China's airspace before and after the US entered the war has been widely recognized as a symbol of courage, solidarity and cross-cultural friendship.

Among those who have carried on this legacy is US Representative Judy Chu of California, whose father served during the war.

"It's important to know about these stories," Chu said at the news conference. "That's why I'm proud Congress passed (a) legislation to recognize the 20,000 Chinese American veterans who fought in World War II. The story of the Flying Tigers shows how brave and selfless they were, and how the US and China could work together."

Enduring friendship

Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Chennault and president of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Louisiana, emphasized the enduring relevance of the Flying Tigers' mission.

"At this critical time in US-China relations, we must fight for lasting friendship," Calloway said through a video call. Quoting her grandfather's memoir, Way of a Fighter, she added, "It is my fondest hope that the sign of the Flying Tiger remains aloft just as long as it is needed and that it will always be remembered on both shores of the Pacific as the symbol of two great peoples working toward a common goal in war and peace."

California State Treasurer Fiona Ma shared a personal reflection on the historical bond. "My father often spoke of the Flying Tigers. Their story represents how communities across southern California came together to preserve our shared history and promote a future of peace and prosperity," she told the conference.

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of SAAHF, has devoted three decades to preserving the Flying Tigers' memory and promoting friendship between the US and China.

"Although current US-China relations face challenges, we can draw inspiration from history," Greene said. "The spirit of the Flying Tigers is a shared heritage of friendship and cooperation."

Greene first visited China in 1995 for the 50th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Since then, the foundation has facilitated the return of nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans to China and organized educational exchanges.

In 2024, the foundation joined a Chinese initiative inviting 50,000 American youth to visit China over five years. Each year, students from "Flying Tigers Friendship Schools" in the US visit World War II sites and historical landmarks in China.

"These visits allow young people to relive the wartime friendship forged by our soldiers and civilians," Greene said. "Many descendants of Flying Tigers veterans are now actively involved, sharing their families' legacy."

At the commemorative event, several descendants of Flying Tigers veterans recounted their families' experiences during the war. The gathering also celebrated the 100th birthday of Mel McMullen, a Flying Tigers veteran whose legacy continues to inspire both countries.

"As the world marks eight decades since the end of World War II, the Flying Tigers exhibition serves not only as a tribute to the past but also as a call for renewed understanding, dialogue and cooperation between China and the United States," Greene added.

renali@chinadailyusa.com