Accession Inventory of the Kao Tsu 高舉 papers
Finding aid prepared by Amanda Robb
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2023
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
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
Access
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.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Kao Tsu 高舉 Papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
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
Accession Inventory
Processing Information
An accession inventory is a basic description of an archival collection for which a detailed finding aid has yet to be created.
No attempt at intellectual arrangement has been made. The depth of description varies depending on the format of the materials
and the amount of pre-existing description received when the materials were acquired. A collection might also be labeled an
"Accession Inventory" if it is fully digital and the digital files have yet to be processed.
box 1, folder 13
Tung Chou 同舟 A Pictorial Record of the Chinese Training Program
1945
Scope and Contents
U.S. Naval Training Center, Miami, FL
box 1, folder 13
Senior Allied Officers' Anti-Submarine Warfare Course
1958 March 31-May 09
Scope and Contents
Fleet Sonar School, Key West, FL
box 1, folder 1
Photos--1930s-1940s
1933-1948
undated
box 1, folder 2
Photos--[untitled file]
circa 1950
box 1, folder 4
Photos--Large sized
1950s
box 1, folder 5-6
Photograph album
circa 1949
box 2
Five medals and four campaign ribbons from the Republic of China
1930s-1940s
Conditions Governing Access
Box 2 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
box 3
Metal chest for hat by Gieves Limited
circa 1930
Conditions Governing Access
Box 3 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
box 4
Royal British Navy cocked hat, leather belt, and 3-star epaulettes from metal chest
circa 1930
Conditions Governing Access
Box 4 may not be used without permission of the Archivist
