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Title: Kao Tsu 高舉 papers
Date (inclusive): 1930-1961
Collection Number: 2022C26
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: In Chinese and English
Physical Description:
1 manuscript box, 3 oversize boxes
(3.30 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The Kao Tsu 高舉 papers (1930-1961) contain highlights from Kao's career as naval officer for the Republic of China and deputy
commander of the Quemoy Defense Command in Taiwan after 1949. It includes correspondence, certificates of appointment, awards
and decorations, military photographs, writings and manuscripts, and military memorabilia.
Creator:
Kao, Tsu, 1911-1983
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Boxes 2-4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials
must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection,
they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
[Identification of item], Kao Tsu 高舉 Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Kao Tsu 高舉 (1911-1983) (Gao Ju 高举), born in Fujian Province, was a naval officer for the Republic of China and deputy commander
of the Quemoy Defense Command in Taiwan. After graduating from the Mawei Naval Academy in 1932, he was sent abroad by the
Chinese Nationalist government to study in Italy and Germany. In 1943, Kao returned from Europe and served in the Military
Affairs Commission under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek. In early 1945, Kao Tsu, along with several other fellow Nationalist
Chinese naval officers, was selected and sent to the U.S. Naval Training Center in Miami, Florida. Their mission was to prepare
to man a squadron of warships to be transferred by the United States to the Republic of China under lend-lease arrangements.
In late 1946, Kao Tsu commanded the Yung Shun, one of the four mine warfare vessels turned over to China by the U.S. Navy,
which arrived at Qingdao, Shandong Province. After 1949, he moved to Taiwan with the Nationalist government and served multiple
positions within the military hierarchy. In November 1956, he was appointed deputy commander of the Quemoy Defense Command.
During the 1958 offshore island crisis, Quemoy was heavily bombarded by the People's Liberation Army, causing the death of
three deputy commanders of the Quemoy Defense Command. Kao narrowly escaped death. At the height of the crisis, he had serious
disagreements with members of the U.S. Military Assistance and Advisory Group about the best strategy to supply a blockaded
Quemoy. Kao was subsequently recalled back to Taiwan and relieved of his post as the deputy commander. He retired from the
military in 1965, and moved to Maryland in 1980. He died in Los Angeles in 1983.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection includes letters of correspondence between Kao and various military and political leaders of Nationalist China
and Taiwan after 1949, Kao's certificates of appointment, awards and decorations, photographs of Kao's military activities
in China and abroad, miscellaneous writings and manuscripts, and military artifacts such as an iron box containing a naval
bicorne hat and Line Insignia left/right epaulettes (presumably acquired in Italy).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
China -- History -- Civil War, 1945-1949
China -- Politics and government
Taiwan -- Politics and government
Chin-chʻeng (Taiwan)
Personal correspondence
Photographs
China. Zhongguo ren min jie fang jun. Hai jun