THE STORY OF PASTOR “JOB” LI

 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.