Sun Li-jen
Sun Li-jen (traditional Chinese: 孫立人; simplified Chinese: 孙立人; pinyin: Sūn Lìrén; December 8, 1900 – November 19, 1990) was a Chinese Nationalist (KMT) general, a graduate of Virginia Military Institute in the United States, best known for his leadership in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War. His military achievements earned him the laudatory nickname "Rommel of the East". His New First Army was known as the "Best Army under heaven" and credited with effectively confronting Japanese troops in the 1937 Battle of Shanghai and in the Burma Campaign, 1943–1944.
Sun Li-jen | |
|---|---|
Sun Li-jen | |
| Native name | 孫立人 |
| Nickname(s) | "Rommel of the East" |
| Born | December 8, 1900 Jinnu, Lujiang, Chaohu, Anhui |
| Died | November 19, 1990 (aged 89) Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China |
| Allegiance | Republic of China |
| Service/ | National Revolutionary Army |
| Years of service | 1927–1955 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Tax Police Regiment New 38th Division New First Army Republic of China Army |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Order of the Cloud and Banner with Special Cravat Companion of the Order of the Bath (U.K.) |
| Alma mater | Virginia Military Institute |
| Other work | Politician |
Perhaps because of his foreign military training, he did not have the full confidence of Chiang Kai-shek. Sun was relieved of battle command in the Chinese Civil War in 1946, and although he was made Commander in Chief in 1950 after the retreat of the Nationalist central government to Taiwan, he was given only ceremonial roles. He was charged with conspiracy in 1955 and spent his last thirty years under virtual house arrest.
He was also known as Sun Chung-neng (孫仲能, Sūn Zhòngnéng; "Chung-neng" being his art name) and had the courtesy name Fu-min (撫民, Fǔmín).