| Liu Fangwu | |||||||||||||
| Native Name: | 劉放吾 | ||||||||||||
| Native Name Lang: | zh | ||||||||||||
| Birth Date: | 17 April 1898 | ||||||||||||
| Birth Place: | Renyi Town, Guiyang County, Hunan, Qing China | ||||||||||||
| Death Place: | Los Angeles, California, U.S.A | ||||||||||||
| Branch: | National Revolutionary Army | ||||||||||||
| Serviceyears: | 1929–1954 | ||||||||||||
| Rank: | Major general | ||||||||||||
| Unit: | Chinese Expeditionary Force | ||||||||||||
| Battles: | |||||||||||||
| Module: |
| ||||||||||||
Liu Fangwu (; 17 April 1898 – 29 June 1994) was a Chinese Nationalist (KMT) general, a graduate of Whampoa Military Academy, best known for his leadership in the Battle of Yenangyaung.[1] [2] [3]
Liu was born Liu Jishu in Renyi Town of Guiyang County, Hunan, on April 17, 1898. He attended the Lanjia Joint Middle School (now Guiyang No. 1 High School). After graduating from Whampoa Military Academy, he enlisted in the National Revolutionary Army. In July 1942, he participated in the Battle of Yenangyaung led by Sun Li-jen in Burma, rescuing more than 7000 British soldiers and 500 American journalists and missionaries.[4]
After the Chinese Civil War, he moved to Taiwan with his family. Liu retired in January 1954 and emigrated to Los Angeles in 1977.
In 1992, the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher met with him and thanked him for saving the British army.[1] On July 27, 1992, former US President George W. Bush wrote a thank-you letter to him.[5]
Liu died of illness on June 29, 1994, in Los Angeles.
Liu married Liu Zhenru, their son, Liu Weimin, is a Chinese-American entrepreneur.[6] [7]
It is said that the character Long Wenzhang of My Chief and My Regiment is based on the real-life of Liu Fangwu.[8]