“I was a soldier back then. In 1943, I was enrolled into the Department of Physics in Sichuan University. I decided to join the army to serve my country the next year…” In Mary’s expectation, Wang Chenghan, a 91-year-old man, introduced how he gave up his academic studies and joined the student volunteer units in the National Revolutionary Army, how he learned to send a telegraph in the army, how he got into the interpreter training class set up by the Bureau of Foreign Affairs of the Kuomintang, and how he was recruited by the United States Office of Strategic Services and worked as interpreter in the special action team. Mary was all ears when listening, expressing her surprise and admiration every now and then. When hearing the thrilling parts of Wang Chenghan’s introduction, she couldn’t help hugging Wang Chenghan again, saying, “You are a hero.”

　　Letters of thanks written by some who were rescued from Weihsien Internment Camp and entrusted to Mary to bring to Wang Chenghan (Shot by Qi Xiang) 

　　Moreover, learning that Mary was visiting “the last hero” in China, a dozen survivors rescued from Weihsien Internment Camp wrote letters to Wang Chenghan. U.S. Rep Donald Norcross put Wang Chenghan’s name into the Congressional Record for his “selfless behaviors and contributions”. Mary handed these letters to Wang Chenghan. With their presbyopic glasses on, the two old people browsed the letters conscientiously. Wang Chenghan gently touched these letters with his trembling hands and couldn’t help reading them softly.

　　“I never thought this day could come! I never thought I could wait until this day finally comes!” After flying halfway around the globe, Mary Taylor Previte, an 83-year-old American lady, eventually met, in Guiyang, China, Wang Chenghan, a 91-year-old man, the hero who parachuted to Weihsien Internment Camp and saved her life 71 years ago. In 1945, a “Duck Action Team” composed of 7 members, including Wang Chenghan, rescued Mary and other 1500 aliens in Weihsien Internment Camp set up by Japanese troops in Shandong. Mary used to be a female state senator in New Jersey. Since the 1990s, she has always been looking for these rescue team members to convey her thanks to them one by one in person. Wang Chenghan is the last team member she’s found. So far, she’s finally accomplished her wish of gratitude for several decades. The accredited journalists from Dazhong Website recorded the whole scene of this moving occasion.

　　In the 1990s, Mary started to look for the seven members of the action team. With the help of her friends, she found the widows of two members and then succeeded in meeting another four members. However, after consuming so much time and energy, she still could not get a line on the Chinese member. “I have no idea where he went after the war, whether he was in China or even whether he is alive or not now. As you know, it is really very hard to find a Mr. Wang among billions of Chinese people.”

　　Reminiscing about the rescuing scene:

　　Accredited journalists from Dazhong Website

　　“Oh my goodness! That is my hero!” At 3:30 p.m., 27th of July, Mary, who just got off the plane and was accompanied by her family, came to Wang Chenghan’s home in Guiyang. She quickly saw Wang Chenghan, who was coming downstairs to welcome her. They two almost rushed to each other and held each other’s hands, creaming and laughing, just like children, followed by a tight hug. “I never thought I could wait until this day finally comes, never …” Mary repeated this sentence over and over again. Then, she turned around and announced: “This is Mr. Wang! He is my hero!”

　　Reminiscing about the life in Weihsien Internment Camp:

　　It’s a miracle to meet with my benefactor alive; China is my mother.

　　“You are my sunshine my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray…” Time was fleeting that afternoon. The two old people held each other’s hands and sang the song You Are My Sunshine, which they once sang in Weihsien Internment Camp. The sky outside was bright and blue. The sunshine poured into the tiny sitting room. The song echoed in the air, calm and peaceful.

　　Wang Chenghan and Mary and their families take a group photo to mark the occasion. (Shot by Qi Xiang)

　　“I’ve realized a dream that I thought would never come true. There is nothing better than that.” Mary describes her entire process of finding the seven rescuing team members as “the pilgrimage to her hero”. Right now she’s completed the pilgrimage successfully. “God bless me for finding you. I am alive and so are you. We’ve finally met!” In excitement, Mary’s eyes were moist with tears. “Fate does all the things!” said Wang Chenghan with emotion. “Mr. Wang should have received the honor of a hero earlier.” Mary said, “I hope that more people will know about his stories. If there are more nice stories like his, the whole world will be better. That is because we all work hard together and we are with each other together.”

　　When Mary meets Wang Chenghan, they two hug each other excitedly. (Shot by Qi Xiang) 

　　Admiring very much the benefactor’s risking his life to come to her rescue, Mary brought special letters of thanks from the United States.