'We were given their finest accommodations since we were the Americans who had just bombed Japan. The extra clothing was like cardboard but it was thick and warm. The beds were way too small, but they were a welcome sight to us."

These words were penned in a 1942 diary entry by Charles Ross Greening, an American pilot and one of the famed Doolittle Raiders. Later published in his memoir Not as Briefed, Greening's account describes his experience in Quzhou, a city nestled in the western part of China's Zhejiang Province.

On April 18, 1942, in direct response to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States launched the mission Doolittle Raid. Led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle, 80 airmen took to the skies in B-25 bombers to strike Tokyo and other key Japanese cities. Among the pilots was Greening. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the crews failed to land at Quzhou Airport as planned after running out of fuel.

Most were forced to crash-land or parachute out over unfamiliar terrain. Except for one aircraft that reached the Soviet Union and two captured in Japanese-occupied zones, the crews of 13 planes were rescued, at great risk, by Chinese soldiers and civilians. One airman died, but 64 survived, including 51 who were eventually reunited in Quzhou. Their rescue came at a tragic cost: Japanese forces retaliated viciously, killing an estimated 250,000 Chinese civilians in the aftermath.

Now, 83 years later, Quzhou has once again become a symbol of unity and resilience. On April 18, in commemoration of both the Doolittle Raid and the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Facist War, the city hosted a China-U.S. people-to-people exchange event. The participants paid tribute to a bond born of wartime sacrifice and enduring mutual respect.

See you in Quzhou 

In 2019, Roland Emmerich's war epic Midway premiered simultaneously in the U.S. and China. In one scene, Doolittle rallies his men before their parachute jump: "I don't know whether this is the territory of China or Japan. Be careful. See you in Quzhou." The line echoes far beyond the silver screen; it evokes a real-life promise born in the skies and kept alive through decades of remembrance.

The promise took on renewed meaning in the early 1990s. Brian Moon, a close friend of Doolittle's and then Vice President of Northwest Airlines, organized a series of visits between those connected to the Doolittle Raid, both Chinese and American, rekindling the wartime bond that had united the two peoples. In March 1993, Moon led a delegation to Quzhou, where they presented a special gift to the city: a commemorative plaque inscribed with the Chinese characters for "thank you," surrounded by the signatures of 44 surviving Doolittle Raiders.

From that moment on, "See you in Quzhou" evolved from a wartime farewell into a symbol of enduring friendship. Over the years, some descendants of the Raiders have returned to Quzhou to honor those who had once risked everything to save their fathers. In turn, Chinese civilians who took part in the rescue efforts have been invited to commemorative events in the U.S., ensuring that the legacy of solidarity forged in war continues to bridge nations in peace.

A deeply moving moment unfolded in 2024. During the 1942 raid, Charles Ozuk, navigator of Bomber No.3, parachuted into Jiangshan, a district of Quzhou, where his chute snagged and left him stranded overnight on a steep cliff. The next morning, he was discovered by a local villager, Liao Shiyuan, who brought the injured airman into his home and nursed him back to health. After five days of care and recovery, Ozuk was able to rejoin his unit.

In 2018, in a gesture of gratitude, Ozuk's daughter, Susan Ozuk, donated $15,000 to renovate the old house where her father had once found refuge. On April 18, 2024, during a commemorative event in Quzhou, Liao's son, Liao Mingfa, handed the keys to the restored home to Susan and said with heartfelt sincerity, "My home is your home; you are always welcome." Susan, in turn, invited the Liao family to visit her home in the U.S. and the two families pledged to stay in touch.

The story of Charles Ozuk and Liao Shiyuan was not only remembered by the families involved, it became a symbol of the lasting impact of people-to-people connections. At the recent exchange event in Quzhou, Gao Anming, Editor in Chief of China International Communications Group, recalled their story in his opening address.

"This is not merely a commemorative gathering," Gao said. "It is a profound dialogue that bears the weight of history while inspiring hope for the future. It offers practical insights for our times."

"Looking to the present, we must use diverse forms of dialogue to confront shared challenges. The space for cooperation among civil societies is vast. These exchanges have promoted the sharing of information and the flow of ideas, breathing new life into the friendly interactions between our peoples. Such efforts are a vital force for deepening collaboration at multiple levels and tackling global issues together," he added.

Illuminating the future 

Among the many heartfelt moments at the exchange event, the Letter to the Future ceremony stood out as a poignant symbol of hope and continuity. Chinese and American participants gathered in unity to place handwritten letters into a ceremonial postbox, messages crafted with care and addressed to generations yet to come. Their words carried a common aspiration: Peace, mutual understanding and the friendships forged in war will continue to grow in times of peace.

Among those participating were Jeffrey Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation; George Retelas, representative of the USS Hornet Museum; and Wang Hanlong, Vice President of the Quzhou Doolittle Raid Historical Research Association (QDRHRA), an organization composed of civilian researchers and volunteers dedicated to preserving this vital history. Youth representatives from Quzhou joined them, representing the new generation tasked with carrying the torch forward.

Greene read touching letters from two American veterans who served in the China theater during WWII. Both over a century old, Harry Moyer and Robert Moore sent words of remembrance and deep friendship toward China.

"The courage of the crews of the B-25 bombers was matched by the bravery of the Chinese people who helped them avoid capture when crash-landing in China. America will forever be in debt to China for the sacrifices made 83 years ago," wrote Moyer, now 105. "May we continue to remember our joint history and appreciate the closer relationships in the future."

The ceremony also reflected a meaningful passing of the baton to the next generation. Retelas presented the QDRHRA with a rare piece of history: a roll of original 16mm film documenting the training of the Doolittle Raiders before their mission. In return, the Quzhou association offered a gift to the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum, a fragment of wreckage from B-25 bomber No.9, recovered from the site of its crash in Quzhou.

"This aircraft fragment will take its place aboard our museum ship, where it will become the centerpiece of our Doolittle Raiders exhibit," said Retelas. "It's not just a relic, but a powerful symbol of shared sacrifice during WWII, a story of courage, compassion and collaboration. May it inspire every visitor who walks through our doors and honor the bravery of the Doolittle Raiders and the courageous compassion of our Chinese allies who helped bring them home."

The exchange event served as a reminder that in times of darkness, people from distant lands stood shoulder to shoulder, crossing mountains and oceans to support one another. In a video message, Zhang Jianmin, Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, the U.S., captured the spirit of the day: "May the people of China and the U.S. carry forward this friendship that transcends time and space, replace confrontation with cooperation, resolve differences through inclusiveness, and jointly safeguard the hard-won good life."

(Print Edition Title: Echoes Over Quzhou) 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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