by Phillip
Starr
During
my first year as National Chairman for the AAU Kung-Fu Division
(1990), I had the honor of meeting a man known as Pastor “Job Li.”
Much later, I would learn that his name was Li Liangjung. My
friend, Bing Chen, attended Pastor Li's church and introduced me to
him. Mr. Li (who was in his 80's at the time), he told me, was a
well-respected martial artist. I found him to be very humble,
courteous, and insightful.
But it
would be a short while before I would be told his story. Pastor Li's
full name was Li Liangjong. During WWII, he helped rescue downed
American fliers, often going behind enemy lines to do so. He'd had
to dispatch many enemy soldiers, often with his bare hands. After
the war when the communists and soldiers of the “Republic” led by
Chiang Kai-shek locked horns, Li sided with the latter and fought
against the communists.
When
many Chinese fled to Taiwan to escape Mao Zedong's takeover of the
nation, Li went with them. By this time, he'd been promoted to the
rank of Lt. General. But his days of fighting weren't over.
Between
Taiwan and mainland China are several smaller islands. In 1949, the
PLA (People's Liberation Army of communist China) determined that if
they could take Kinmen Island (aka., Jinmen, meaning “Golden
Gate”), they could easily launch a major offensive against the main
island of Taiwan itself. And General Li was put in charge of
defending this stepping stone. At all costs.
Thus
began what became known as Guningtou. The communists shelled Li's
positions and then began with their favored tactic, the “human
waves.” Li's ROC (Republic of China) forces held their positions,
but at a terrible cost. Wave after wave of PLA soldiers charged but
they were repeatedly driven back. Pastor Li's eyes gazed off into
the distance as he spoke of this horrific fight, seeing a past that
only a survivor can see. I cannot imagine that kind of horror and
slaughter. But Li and his men held. Taiwan was saved.
Shortly
after the battle, Gen. Li attempted to take a small military aircraft
to China to rescue his older parents, who were trapped there. It
would be a dangerous mission, but he was determined to try.
Unfortunately, he was caught trying to fly out to the mainland and
subsequently placed under arrest. He'd never see his parents again.
The
trial was short. Fortunately, the judge and several other officers
who participated in the court martial were his former students and he
was sentenced to just two years in prison. Shortly after his
release, his wife passed away. His heart was broken and he had no
idea which way to turn. A friend offered him a position in his
company, which was in the business of making records! This would
later become Taiwan's most popular record-making company. But Gen.
Li turned him down. He wanted a simpler life...
Sometime
during all this personal turmoil, Li became a Christian and
determined to leave Taiwan and come to the U.S. He adopted the name
“Job” as he felt that his life had been one of terrible sorrow as
was his namesake's life in the Bible. He settled in Omaha, Nebraska
and opened a church for local Chinese residents.
He
expressed sorrow that he had been largely forgotten by his own
people. I really felt for him; how could they forget the man who had
saved the Republic of China when it was in its infancy? I therefore
determined that as long as I was National Chairman of the AAU Kung-Fu
Division, we would award a special “Job Li Spirit Award” to the
competitor who demonstrated the greatest fighting spirit.
At the
First AAU National Kung-Fu Championships, I stood before the crowd
and told everyone the story of Pastor Li. When I announced that this
incredible hero was present at the event, a huge cry and applause
went up and I awarded Pastor Li with a special sword, which I had had
specially engraved for him. My heart swelled as I saw the tears in
his eyes.
In
1992, Pastor Li received a very formal invitation from the People's
Republic of China to attend a week-long celebration of his heroism in
his hometown. He was conflicted; he wanted to go and see what few
surviving relatives he had, but he feared it was a trap and the
communists would arrest him. Bing and I assured him that he'd be
fine and with a bit more pursuading, he was flown back to China.
The
celebration was a massive party, honoring Pastor Li's great heroism
and he was able to reunite with his surviving relatives and meet many
newer descendants. He could scarcely believe it! The party lasted
all week and he was thrilled.
Some
years later, Pastor Li joined his wife. I was very saddened to get
the news of his passing but I was glad that I'd been able to provide
some measure of recognition for this incredible man. I'll never
forget him. I hope you won't, either.