Feature: Former U.S. general remembered in China: A wartime friendship that endures

Source: Xinhua| 2025-08-31 13:17:45|Editor:

Stilwell's grandson John Easterbrook is pictured while receiving an interview with Xinhua News Agency at home in Saratoga of San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, on Aug. 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

by Xinhua writers Zhao Bochao, Wu Xiaoling

SAN FRANCISCO/CHONGQING, China, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Perched on a hillside along the Jialing River in a district in China's southwestern city of Chongqing stands the Stilwell Museum -- the only museum in China named after a foreign military officer. It preserves the shared memory of China and the United States in their fight against Japanese fascism during World War II.

During the war, General Joseph Stilwell served as commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces in the China-Burma-India Theater and provided great support to the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese aggression.

The Stilwell Museum stands as a concrete manifestation of the friendship between the Chinese and American people, which as Stilwell's grandson John Easterbrook has said "we need to remember and emulate as we go forward."

FIGHTING ALONGSIDE CHINESE SOLDIERS

In his California home decorated with Chinese antiques, Easterbrook has proudly displayed photographs of his grandfather in wartime uniform. "Stilwell (is) somewhere here," he remarked when pointing to an image of the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945.

Known as a "China hand," Stilwell had traveled and worked in China before the war. After the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941, then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt sent him back as one of America's top commanders in Asia.

To thwart Japan's blockade of China, Stilwell led the Chinese and American troops through the jungles of northern Myanmar, fighting ferocious battles against Japanese forces. Victories such as the capture of Myitkyina city in 1944 dealt heavy blows to the enemy and helped open vital supply routes to China.

Stilwell held deep admiration for Chinese soldiers, believing that with proper training and equipment, they could match any army in the world. "To me, the Chinese soldier best exemplifies the greatness of the Chinese people -- their indomitable spirit, their uncomplaining loyalty, their honesty of purpose, their steadfast perseverance," Easterbrook said, quoting a 1942 speech by Stilwell.

"Stilwell personally led these divisions, and he would trek down to the front lines almost daily to encourage the Chinese units ... By the time they got to the strategic town of Myitkyina in August 1944, they had proven to the world that the Chinese soldiers could indeed be the equal of any Allied soldier," he said.

Through his coordination and relentless effort, the vital Hump airlift was sustained, and the Stilwell Road, an overland connection between India and China, was constructed, keeping China connected to Allied supply chains despite Japan's blockade.

Ao Yichang, an expert at the Stilwell Research Center, noted that General Stilwell had always sympathized with and supported the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. "He fought side by side with the Chinese military and people, forging a profound historical friendship with them," he said.

VISIONARY DECISION

Recognizing the firm resolve of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to fight Japanese aggressors, Stilwell urged the Kuomintang to mount a joint campaign with the CPC, and argued that part of U.S. aid should go to Communist troops.

"For quite some time, Jack Service and John Davies -- John Davies in particular -- who were Foreign Service State Department men on General Stilwell's staff, advocated very strongly that an observer mission should go to Yan'an to interface with the CPC and gather intelligence and provide information on just what the Red Armies were doing," said Easterbrook, noting that Stilwell supported the idea.

In July 1944, with Stilwell's backing, the first U.S. Army Observation Group arrived in Yan'an, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. There, American officers were struck by the contrasts with the Kuomintang-controlled areas. According to their observation, the CPC enjoyed broad popular support and could become effective allies.

"In Chungking (Chongqing), we were accustomed to seeing police and sentries everywhere. In Yenan (Yan'an), there was not even a sentry, as far as I could see, posted at Headquarters 18th Group Army," recalled David Barrett, commander of the U.S. Army Observation Group, in his memoir.

The U.S. Army Observation Group worked closely with the Chinese Communists in Yan'an, with cooperation including intelligence sharing on Japanese forces and the rescue of downed American pilots.

"The Observation Group stayed in Yan'an for two years and eight months, during which they developed close ties with CPC leaders and local residents," said Zhao Hong, professor at the School of History and Culture at Yan'an University.

Reports from the mission described the CPC-led resistance as both highly effective and deeply rooted in popular support. Herbert Hitch, a group member, concluded that no matter how much U.S. military support was given to the Kuomintang, the CPC would prevail.

"The unfortunate thing is that the reports did not go very far in the U.S. government," said Easterbrook. History would later confirm the mission's foresight, as the CPC, buoyed by popular support, went on to found the People's Republic of China.

FRIENDSHIP LASTING FIVE GENERATIONS

For decades, the Chinese people have remembered and honored General Stilwell. On Sept. 2, 2015, Stilwell was awarded the memorial medal for the 70th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

In a 2023 letter replying to Easterbrook, Chinese President Xi Jinping said General Stilwell was an old friend of the Chinese people, who gave active support to China's cause of liberation and progress and made positive contributions to the friendship between the two peoples, which the Chinese people will never forget.

The Stilwell family has also carried that legacy forward by promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Stilwell's daughters established a scholarship fund in 1982 to support Chinese students at U.S. universities. Over the past four decades, this fund has benefited dozens of Chinese students.

Xu Chongning, a retired professor at Chongqing Technology and Business University, was one of the scholarship recipients. "During my studies and life in the United States, I met many ordinary Americans. ... I often felt their friendship toward the Chinese people," she said.

The legacy of Stilwell's bond with China has been carried forward by five generations of his family, several of whom have visited China many times. "It's just so nice to be able to go back to China and see how that period of time is still recognized and still appreciated," said Easterbrook.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Easterbrook said his two daughters and their families will travel to China to take part in the commemorative events.

Looking back, Xi stressed in his letter, China and the United States fought side by side against Japanese fascists and for world peace; looking into the future, the two countries have every reason to help each other achieve success and common prosperity.

The same message resonates with Easterbrook. The United States and China should "strive to continually look for the good in the relations that we have and build upon those good aspects," he said, hoping that the two countries could concentrate on those and make life better for their peoples.

(Xinhua reporters Liu Bowei, Xie Weiren, Zhang Qin, Zhou Siyu and Yang Shiyan also contributed to the story.)

Stilwell's grandson John Easterbrook views an album at home in Saratoga of San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, on Aug. 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Stilwell's grandson John Easterbrook receives an interview with Xinhua News Agency at home in Saratoga of San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, on Aug. 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Stilwell's grandson John Easterbrook (L) and his wife pose for a photo in an interview with Xinhua News Agency at home in Saratoga of San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, on Aug. 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)

Stilwell's grandson John Easterbrook waves goodbye to the reporter in Saratoga of San Francisco Bay Area, the United States, on Aug. 11, 2025.(Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling)