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