The remains of ROC air force pilot Lt. Col. Wang Tung-yi, who died in a plane crash during training in France, were brought back to Taiwan by his family Oct. 12.
Minister of National Defense Kao Hua-chu and several top air force officials were at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to pay tribute to the fallen hero and express their condolences to his family members upon their return aboard an EVA Airways flight at 7 a.m.
Wang’s ashes were then transported by hearse to the air base in Hsinchu City where he was a squadron member, with a memorial service to be held at the base Oct. 15.
The air force Command said Wang will be honored posthumously with a presidential citation and a medal for heroism, excellent performance and dedication to his duties.
MND spokesman David Lo said Oct. 11 that following a request by Wang’s family that his remains be kept at the Martyr’s Shrine, the air force Command has been actively handling the matter.
Wang died during a training mission Oct. 3. The Mirage 2000-5 fighter jet he was flying went down in a wooded area shortly after takeoff from Luxeuil Air Base in eastern France. French officials said Wang had heroically prevented further loss of life in the tragedy by steering his plane away from a residential community in the seconds prior to crashing.
A memorial service was held Oct. 8 at the French air base where Wang had been training. He was awarded a flying medal posthumously by the French air force. (SB-THN)