Chongqing - A delegation of descendants of General Joseph Stilwell and U.S. Army Observer Group members arrived in Southwest China's Chongqing on Tuesday to honor the historic ties between the U.S. and China formed during World War II. The visit aimed to strengthen cultural exchanges and reflect on the deep friendship established through their ancestors' shared fight against Japanese fascism.
The delegation included David Bunce and Andrew Bunce, great-grandsons of General Stilwell, and Paula Sterling, daughter of Captain Paul Domke, a U.S. Army Observer Group member, along with Domke's granddaughter, Sarah Sterling. Their first stop was the Chongqing Stilwell Museum, where they laid a wreath at General Stilwell's statue. David Bunce remarked, "It's deeply moving to see how much effort has been put into commemorating General Stilwell here in China."
During their visit, the group toured the museum's exhibits, including a photo collection of General Stilwell's life and work. They also watched a short film on the lasting friendship between the U.S. and China, built over five generations. In a dialogue with scholars, Andrew Bunce reflected on the leadership lessons passed down from his great-grandfather, stating, "Instead of focusing on dignitaries only or high ranking, my great-grandfather went to find out how the construction workers were fairing and how the average soldier was trained and being fed...that is a lesson in leadership for me."
In addition to museum visits, the delegation explored other cultural and historical landmarks in Chongqing, including the Red Crag Village and the city's unique nightscape. Their journey highlights the importance of people-to-people exchanges in building bridges of understanding between nations, especially as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Army Observer Group's mission to Yan’an.
The visit will continue with a trip to Yan'an, where the Observer Group first initiated contact with the Communist Party of China, deepening the historical connection between the two nations.
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