Realizing he was an American soldier, farmers and soldiers risked their lives to transfer him on a stretcher across Japanese-controlled areas under the cover of night.
After 23 grueling days, Beneda finally arrived at the Fifth Division of China's New Fourth Army led by Li Xiannian, who later served as China's president from 1983 to 1988. There, the US pilot gradually recovered and formed deep friendships with the Chinese soldiers, even playing games of ping pong.
The veteran later returned to China several times with his family. "I owe a debt to the Chinese people, who have been so good to me," he said in a documentary. When he passed away in 2010, part of his ashes were buried in the memorial park of the former residence of Li in Hubei's Hong'an county.
The sacrifices of the Flying Tigers were profound. A total of 2,193 members of the Flying Tigers lost their lives while supporting China and Myanmar during World War II. During battles, more than 200 downed pilots were rescued by Chinese civilians, and thousands of Chinese people died aiding them.
While visiting Hong'an, the student delegation laid chrysanthemums at the memorial site. Some were moved to tears while watching Touching the Tigers, a documentary about Beneda's story.
Among the students was Lili Li, visiting China for the first time with her mother Anna Li, who is the daughter of Lieutenant Kuo Ching Li, the only Chinese-American Flying Tiger.
