Taiwanese MIA in Indonesia

Taiwanese MIA in Indonesia

Stories of searching for people missing in action in the
Vietnam War as told by the Americans are most touching. Finding a
beloved one long lost in the wildness of a foreign land without
any indication of them having survived is an enormous, heart-
breaking and time consuming task. The hoped for possible reunion
assuages all the challenges and ordeals. To make their dreams
come true, any outside assistance is always very much
appreciated.

A Taiwanese conscript by the name of Lee Chun-keng is still
believed to be alive in Indonesia after he was last seen in
action in December of 1943 at Manokwari, Irian Jaya. His family
members, including his father Lee San-chi, his mother Lee Lin-
chuan and his sister Lee Shu-chin, have been trying to relocate
him ever since. Luck has not been on their side yet.

Mr. Lee Chun-keng was born on May 3, 1924. According to his
sister and another Taiwanese conscript, Yang Mu-chao, who was
with him at the time and captured by American soldiers and sent
back to Taiwan on Feb. 5, 1946, Lee Chun-keng was conscribed by
the Japanese Imperial Army on Nov. 16, 1943 and, along with other
Taiwanese conscripts, left Taiwan's Kaohsuing Harbor by ship on
Nov. 17 of that year for Indonesia. The ship arrived at Manokwari
on Dec. 17 of the same year. The Japanese regiment to which Mr.
Lee belonged was called Nishijima-Butai (unit) Dai Niju-Ikkai
(the 21st) Teiwa-Dan (Teiwa Group) as recalled by Mr. Yang Mu-
chao. The regiment had five companies with 1,008 soldiers in
total.

According to Mr. Yang Mu-chao, not long after their arrival at
Manokwari they were encountered by Americans. Lee Chun-keng ran
up the mountains and disappeared while Yang Mu-chao went in the
opposite direction to be taken by the Americans and sent back to
Taiwan. Mr. Yang Mu-chao was lucky.

Mr. Lee Chun-keng will be turning 71 years old very soon. His
family members still believe he is alive somewhere in this part
of the world. They say he might be found in Samarinda or Tarakan
of East Kalimantan.

Anyone who has the slightest clue as to Mr. Lee's whereabouts
is requested to directly contact Miss Lee Shu-chin at: 50, Lane
163, Section 4, San Ho Road, San-chung, Taipei, Taiwan. Telp. &
Fax: (886)-(2)-2874930. Information may also be relayed through
my office.

DAVID Y.S. TZOU

Information Director

Taipei Economic and

Trade Office

Jakarta