Begun as a volunteer air corps, the legendary “Flying Tigers” defended China during World War II. Known for its distinctive shark-nosed planes, this corps of American pilots fi rst achieved success against Japanese pilots shortly after the Pearl Harbor attacks, which boosted American and Allied morale.
Th e Richard C. Rudolph East Asian Library will present a screening of the documentary Touching the Tigers, about the 1944 downing of Flying Tigers pilot Glen Beneda. After ejecting from his burning plane, Beneda landed in a rice paddy and was rescued by Chinese farmers and soldiers.
Following the screening Beneda’s son Edward will talk about his father’s experiences and answer questions.
Th is event is presented in conjunction with the traveling exhibit “Salute to World War II Flying Tigers in China,” which is on view in the Research Library March 3-11.