Jeffrey Greene’s Final Mission to Preserve the Flying Tigers Legacy

The journey to the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall serves as a personal capstone for Greene, who has dedicated decades to cementing the bond between American pilots and the Chinese people. In 1941, General Claire Lee Chennault led the American Volunteer Group to support China against Japanese aggression, a mission that solidified the unit’s enduring nickname. Many of these young aviators never returned home, a sacrifice that continues to drive Greene’s activism.

Since establishing his foundation in 1998, Greene has facilitated over 500 visits to China for veterans and their descendants. His work extends beyond commemorative events, encompassing an educational initiative that has designated more than 170 institutions as Flying Tigers Friendship Schools. By tracing missing personnel and fostering youth leadership programs, he aims to ensure the history of the unit transcends generational divides. Greene maintains that this historical connection remains the most potent link between the two nations, providing a bridge that he believes will continue to expand as long as the foundation maintains its momentum.