It was March 1957. The Taiwan winters, mild by US standards, had no snow. George took a personal survey of his life. His family had adjusted to life in Taipei. The children were in school and one will start next year. The job was fine. He recently got a promotion to Staff Sergeant. The problem with the cats and rats in the attic was a temporary fix but it was at least comforting to know he stopped the intrusions.
Chen was a valued employee and a friend.
Julia had adjusted, but the house was still took some getting used to. She loved the house, its Japanese style and floor plan, but it took some work to keep it clean and sanitary. She was doing great with the house and loved living in a house. The girls had become comfortable with their day-to-day activities. The immediate concerns were clothing and shoes for the children. The PX only had limited choices. The next best thing was to shop in the local markets. Hair products for Negro women were none existent. However, Julia was able to keep her and the girls looking beautiful. The boys had no trouble at school.
The Department of Defense (DoD) schools and military had a zero tolerance policy towards discrimination and racism. George was delighted his boys did not have to suffer the indignities of racism. They had adjusted to attention from the local population. Overall, the family was content and only had the day-to-day living issues to consider. The few minor issues facing his home life George was able to concentrate on his work.
US Military advisors had first arrived in Taiwan with the Chinese forces from the mainland. In June 1950 The Seventh Fleet was sent into the Straits under orders to prevent any attack on the island, and also prevent the Kuomintang forces of Chung Kai Shek to attack on China. From that point on, Taiwan was placed under US military protection.
The Nationalist-held islands of Jinmen (often called Kinmen or Quemoy ) and Mazu or (Ma-Tsu) just 8 miles off the coast of mainland China, between Taiwan and mainland China, were occupied by Chung Kai Shek’s forces, but claimed by the Chinese Communists. Matsu is a single island, while Quemoy is a group consisting of Quemoy, Little Quemoy, and 12 islets in Xiamen Bay. Chung fortified these two islands as bases for his re-conquest of China. Chung provoked China on two occasions by moving large numbers of troops to the islands. Both times the US responded with military actions, in support of Chung’s provocations.
The United States signed a Mutual Defense Treaty with the Nationalist government on Taiwan on 2 December 1954. The Formosa Resolution of 29 January 1955 pledged the US to the defense of Taiwan. This authorized the president to use American forces to defend Formosa and the Pescadores Island against armed attack.
Thirteenth Air Force assumed responsibilities for Air Force personal assigned to Formosa from Fifth Air Force in June 1955. Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. assumed command of Headquarters, Air Task Force. He was assigned to Thirteenth Air Force as Vice Commander with duty station Taipei, Taiwan. Notable to George and his family was the fact that General Davis was a Negro. There was a Negro General on the island when they arrived.
George was assigned to Shulinkou (Shu Lin Kou) Air Station, 6987th Security Group, Taiwan (Republic of China), under the command of the U.S. Air Force Security Service. It was a small U.S. Air Force intelligence installation including Army (ASA), and Naval (NSF) units. Shulinkou was active 22 years from its establishment on February 16, 1955 until its closing on April 01, 1977.
The 6987th’s highly classified mission involved the intercept and analysis of foreign signals (SIGINT) and electronic (ELINT) intelligence. Sensitive military intelligence gathered during the three shift, 24/7 operations at Shulinkou was reported directly to the National Security Agency (NSA), Fort Meade, Maryland. Shulinkou intelligence people had “top-secret crypto” clearances. In lay terms Shulinkou was a government-run listening post intercepting communication traffic on the Chinese mainland.
oolongkiko 
George,
This is a great read! I came across your “blog” today and read all your posts ……… but I hope this isn’t the last one, I’d like to read the rest of the story. George and Julia are awesome patriots with dignity and character that is rare today.
My interest is because I was a Navy CT stationed at Shu Linkou 1971-72. The infrastructure and living conditions were better than they were during your time there, but your story does bring back memories of the water heater outside my apartment which wasn’t far from where you lived, and the MAAG 63 club, HSA compound, Grand Hotel, Earthquakes, typhoons, movie theaters, etc. I have to say it was the time of my life. I married a beautiful Chinese lady while there and have been back a few times, most recently 2011. My wife always yelled at me each time I grabbed a glass of water from the tap, but I never got sick.
I do get “home sick” for Taipei – thanks for posting your story and hope to see more.
Jim
Thank you, Jim, for your comment. You have given me added motivation to continue. My Mom passed away in September 2013. It was sudden, unexpected, I hoped that she could read the final version. I will finish. this is the precursor to my first draft. I did an outline and with the help of friends, my Mother and family pictures I hope to paint an accurate picture.
George, where was your house(s) located? I have found my 2 houses on satellite pics and can now find the location when I go back, which I must!
both houses are gone. The first house was later torn down and the entire block was replaced by a hotel, forget the name.
the Second home was in American Village it was along the canal that ran from the Keelung River all the way to Taiwan University. We were located near Nanking road. I described the location and streets in one of the blogs.