Captain John Birch, American Patriot, Martyred by Communists

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Captain John Birch, a decorated WWII intelligence officer and Baptist missionary, was murdered by Chinese Communist forces in 1945 just days after Japan's surrender. Birch had served with distinction in China, collecting crucial combat intelligence, rescuing downed Allied pilots, and continuing his missionary work. His death at the hands of the Communists marked one of the earliest flashpoints of the emerging Cold War, but his heroic story and legacy have been largely overlooked.

Why it matters

Birch's story highlights the sacrifices of American patriots in the fight against global communism, and the efforts by some in the U.S. government to downplay Communist aggression in the aftermath of WWII. Honoring Birch's service and martyrdom is an important symbolic victory in the ongoing battle against leftist ideologies that seek to undermine American values and sovereignty.

The details

After arriving in China as a Baptist missionary in 1940, Birch went on to serve as an intelligence officer for the 14th Air Force, executing daring clandestine operations behind enemy lines that saved countless American lives. He was posthumously awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, but recommendations for higher honors like the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart were denied by communist sympathizers in the U.S. military. Birch's parents spent years fighting to uncover the truth about his death at the hands of Chinese Communists.

• In July 1940, at age 22, Birch arrived in Shanghai, China as a Baptist missionary.
• In December 1941, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Birch fled Japanese forces and linked up with the American Volunteer Group, the famous Flying Tigers.
• In July 1942, Birch was commissioned as a first lieutenant by Claire Chennault and served as an intelligence officer in the 14th Army Air Force.
• In 1944, Birch was promoted to captain and worked as an operative in the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).
• On August 25, 1945, just 10 days after Japan's surrender, Birch was murdered by Communist Chinese forces near Huangkou railway station.

What’s next

The Department of Defense has denied previous efforts to award Captain Birch the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart, citing technicalities around the lack of a formal declaration of war against Communist China in 1945. However, with declassified records confirming Birch's valor and the emerging realities of the Cold War, there is a renewed push to have Congress intervene and ensure Birch receives the honors he deserves.