On the 79th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, a remarkable rescue story from 1944 has come full circle.

On February 11, 1944, during the Chinese-American air raid on Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, an American pilot, Lieutenant Donald Kerr, was hit by a bullet, and his plane caught fire. The situation was dire, but local guerrillas stepped in to rescue him.

Fast forward to today, and Kerr's son, David, has fulfilled his father's wish by returning to China multiple times to find the brave guerrillas who saved his father's life. He has organized a special trip to express gratitude for their heroic actions. This event not only honors the past but also strengthens the bond between America and China.

Some 79 years ago, after Lieutenant Kerr's plane was struck by Japanese forces, he executed an emergency parachute escape, landing near Kwun Yam Shan, north of the airport. The Japanese deployed numerous troops to conduct a thorough search for the injured Kerr.

David Kerr has amassed a wealth of material from his father's past, including diary entries that chronicle his experiences during the rescue. As a pilot and skilled cartographer, Kerr's diary provides vivid descriptions of the coordinates for the plane's landing site, the escape route, and the topography of his hiding place. It details the entire rescue process by the guerrillas. Armed with these valuable maps and hand-drawn sketches, David eventually located the site decades later.

David recalls the rescue, saying, "He felt a little tugging on his sleeve and it was a small boy. The small boy wanted to lead my father up into the mountains since he was the first person who was really helping him. He followed him and the small boy ran ahead. My father ran behind, and they ran into the mountains."

Following Kerr's rescue, guerrilla forces and local villagers supported him for about 20 days, providing food and supplies, tending to his injuries, and assisting in his concealment. To further aid in Kerr's rescue, guerrillas engaged in various actions within Hong Kong, such as distributing anti-Japanese leaflets and attacking Japanese vehicles to draw attention away from their operations. Despite challenges, the guerrillas targeted the Japanese-controlled Kai Tak Airport, conducting night raids to destroy aircraft and oil depots. The Japanese, realizing their vulnerability, began to retreat. Ultimately, Kerr was safely relocated.

This rescue not only showcased the guerrillas' commitment but also marked the beginning of cooperation between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the Allies. David Kerr's narrative honors his father's legacy while rekindling the bond between China and the United States.