[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 113 (Wednesday, July 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF WANG CHENG-HAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD NORCROSS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2016

  Mr. NORCROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wang Cheng-Han, for 
his contributions and service in assisting U.S. soldiers in the 
liberation of the Weihsien Internment camp in August 1945.
  Mr. Wang was a sophomore at Sichuan University when he joined the 
military service in December 1944. He was recruited into a 
telecommunications group where he learned Morse code and completed 
interpreter training classes.
  At the age of 20, the American Office of Strategic Services assigned 
Wang as translator to a team of U.S. soldiers who were preparing to 
liberate the Weihsien Internment camp.
  Weihsien Internment Camp was created by the Japanese in 1943 to hold 
westerners and other enemy nationals in North China. Once an American 
Presbyterian Compound, the Japanese transformed the location into a 
prison by adding electrified fencing, a moat, and armed security 
towers. Conditions in the camp were poor. Sanitary conditions were 
terrible, winters were harsh, and there was little food.
  On August 17, 1945 Wang parachuted from a B-24 plane and helped 
liberate 1,500 Allied civilian prisoners from the camp. The mission was 
dangerous. Though the Japanese had officially surrendered, it was 
unknown whether Japanese soldiers in the area had received the order to 
surrender or would continue to fight.
  The soldiers took over the Japanese headquarters building and 
received warm welcomes from the newly liberated prisoners. Among these 
prisoners was former New Jersey Assemblywoman Mary Previte. Wang's 
arrival at Weihsien provided much needed relief to the camp's 
malnourished prisoners.
  Mr. Speaker, Wang Cheng-Han is a great individual who risked his life 
to save American lives. I join with all of New Jersey in honoring the 
selfless actions and service of this extraordinary man.

                          ____________________