MND honors 70th anniversary of war victory

2015/06/11

A service medal is to be presented to veterans of the ROC armed forces as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the nation’s victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), according to the Ministry of National Defense June 9.

A replica of the original bestowed in October 1946 by the ROC government on soldiers and officials who served during the war, the medal comprises a view of the Marco Polo, or Lugou, Bridge, where Japan initiated the war with an all-out assault July 7, 1937, on Chinese forces.

A portrait of former President Chiang Kai-shek, who led the nation to victory, rises above the bridge topped by two ROC national flags.

Lt. Gen. Hsu Yen-pu, deputy chief of MND General Staff for Personnel, said all service members who fought in the conflict before Sept. 3, 1945, are eligible to apply for one of the 6,000 newly minted medals.

“Those living abroad can submit applications care of Taiwan embassies or representative offices,” he said. “And those residing in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China can apply through the Mainland Affairs Council and Straits Exchange Foundation.”

The eight-year conflict is increasingly viewed as the start of World War II, with the ROC military’s efforts in tying down Japanese forces playing a key role in helping ensure an Allied victory in the global conflagration.

Hsu said the service medal will be accompanied by a certificate identifying the applicant’s rank and outfit at the time of victory, as well as a chronology of the war. “Selected honorees are also set to be invited to the award ceremony next month in Taiwan.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=231334&ctNode=413)