Rosholt.org

Malcolm Rosholt

The Passing of a Legend

With the death of Malcolm Rosholt, there truly is the passing of a legend. He was a great adventurer, patriot and historian extraordinaire. He was one of those rare individuals that made great contributions to his community and country with quite dignity and dedication, never seeking fame or applause. Although awards he received in his lifetime would cover many walls, he accepted them with reservation and modesty.

He was not only an important part of history, but he was a living history. In 1931, as a young journalist, he went to Shanghai, China, as a reporter for the China Free Press. But different from so many other news people, he assimilated with the country. He became a part of their culture. He learned to read, write and speak Chinese with fluency. He also spoke fluent Norwegian. Imagine a man with a Norwegian accent, speaking Chinese! He traveled far and wide across the great stretches of China and the Gobi Desert by horse and camel, always curious, always searching for greater knowledge. And well into his nineties he was still writing.

In WW II, when Japan wrecked its havoc on the world, Malcolm became an intelligence officer for the Flying Tigers, the American flying unit, engaged in the protecting China against the war of aggression by Japan.

I have known Malcolm, and proud to be his friend, for some sixty years. I did not know Malcolm personally in China, but all airmen knew about him. He operated a mobile radio station deep in enemy territory. Because of his knowledge of Chinese, he could work closely with Chinese ground forces. His role was to report to United States 14th Air Force headquarters in China the movement of enemy troops and particularly aerial attacks. His secondary role, and more important to those of us who flew combat, was to rescue those unfortunate enough to be shot down. And he rescued many from the very grasp of the enemy. He lived a hazardous life, moving constantly to avoid the enemy, and living with the Chinese as one of them.

In his advance position, he reported the tactics and strategy of the enemy that forewarned our Air Force to meet the challenge. He was the eyes and ears of the Flying Tigers that made their accomplishments so successful. Through almost four years of service in the air force in China, he served with distinction and honor.

General Claire Chennault, the Commander of the Flying Tigers, wrote in his autobiography, Way of a Fighter: "Rosholt covered China for American newspapers before the war...and then served for long months of combat with the Chinese armies under the most primitive conditions."

For his service, he was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star by the American government for exceptional heroism and gallantry and the Order of the White Cloud, the Honorary Ancestral Medal, and the China War Medal, the highest honors bestowed on any foreigner by the Chinese government.

His behind the lines radio station was called Dog Sugar 8. He wrote a semi-autobiographical story of those adventures in a book by that name. His Days of the Ching Pao, which literally translated means "days of the air raids", is a graphic depiction of the Flying Tigers of the 14th Air Force role in the victory against Japan. His Flight in the China Air Space is a classic in the history of development of aviation in China. Most of you, of course, know of his many writings on the history of Wisconsin, particularly in the logging industry. As we remember Malcolm, he would also want us to keep in our memories his loving companion of a lifetime, Marge, who shared the triumphs and tragedies with him, and for her literary accomplishments.

Malcolm's autobiography, Rainbow Around the Moon, written and published in his 96th year, is the delightful story of an immigrant's family of struggle in the wilderness to success with his personal experience as a news reporter in China and his military experiences. As set forth in the cover page, "It is a testimonial to them and all others that came to this country and made it great." Malcolm had that rare experience of seeing a "Rainbow Around the Moon" as he crossed the equator on his trip to China, a dramatic view of a full moon encircled by a rainbow, a view that few seldom see. The title that he chose for is autobiography Rainbow Around the Moon is so fitting for the life of this great adventurer and historian.

Malcolm exemplifies that spirit of life expressed by the Greek philosopher, Thucidides, emblazoned in stone in front of the Rosholt American Legion, "The whole earth is the tomb of heroic men - and their story is not graven only on stone over their clay –but abides everywhere without visible symbol woven into the stuff of other men's lives".

Malcolm's family have lost a devoted and loving father, grandfather and family member, the community has lost a most distinguished and exemplary citizen, the country has lost a great patriot, the Flying Tigers Association has lost a most dedicated officer and we have all lost a great and good friend. May his memories sustain his family and us all in this time of sorrow, and may he now rest in peace.

By Wayne G. Johnson