“Our Job Is Not Finished”

On Independence Day of 1945, men stationed at 14th Air Force bases scattered across Free China received a message of confidence and encouragement from their commander, Maj. Gen. Claire L. Chennault, as the war neared its conclusion. He expressed his satisfaction with their many successes, but reminded them, “Our job is not finished.” Unknown to any of them, Chennault’s time as their beloved leader would come to an end before his hope “to celebrate final victory” with them was fulfilled.