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Nanking Winter: The Forgotten Story of Marjorie Chan, a Chinese-American Nurse in World War II

Robert Frost

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Published in A Nanking Winter Marjorie Chan

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In the annals of World War II, countless stories of heroism and sacrifice have been told. But one story that has been largely forgotten is that of Marjorie Chan, a Chinese-American nurse who risked her life to save thousands of people during the Nanjing Massacre.

A Nanking Winter

by Marjorie Chan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	459 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	120 pages
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Marjorie Chan was born in San Francisco in 1910 to Chinese immigrant parents. She grew up in a close-knit community and was raised with strong values of service and compassion. After graduating from nursing school, she returned to China in 1937 to work as a nurse at the University of Nanking.

In December 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Nanking and began a brutal campaign of terror and violence that became known as the Nanjing Massacre. During the six weeks of occupation, the Japanese soldiers killed an estimated 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war.

Marjorie Chan was one of the few foreigners who remained in Nanking during the massacre. She worked tirelessly at the university hospital, treating the wounded and providing comfort to the dying. She also risked her life to hide Chinese women and children from the Japanese soldiers.

One of the most famous stories about Marjorie Chan is her role in saving the "Safety Zone," a makeshift refugee camp established by John Rabe, a German businessman who helped to protect Chinese civilians. Chan worked tirelessly to care for the thousands of refugees who sought shelter in the Safety Zone, and she helped to organize a team of Chinese nurses to provide medical care.

In January 1938, Marjorie Chan was forced to leave Nanking when the Japanese soldiers closed the university hospital. She returned to the United States and continued to work as a nurse. She never forgot her experiences in Nanking, and she dedicated her life to raising awareness about the Nanjing Massacre.

Marjorie Chan died in 1999 at the age of 89. She was a remarkable woman who risked her life to save thousands of people during one of the darkest chapters in human history. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion and the importance of never forgetting the victims of war.

The Significance of Marjorie Chan's Story

Marjorie Chan's story is significant for several reasons. First, it is a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of protecting civilians.

Second, it is a story of courage and resilience. Marjorie Chan risked her life to save others, and she never gave up hope even in the face of unimaginable suffering.

Third, it is a story of forgotten history. The Nanjing Massacre is a relatively unknown event in the West, and Marjorie Chan's story has been largely forgotten.

By telling Marjorie Chan's story, we can help to raise awareness about the Nanjing Massacre and its victims. We can also pay tribute to the courage and compassion of a remarkable woman who risked her life to save others.

Marjorie Chan was a true heroine who deserves to be remembered for her courage and compassion. Her story is a reminder of the horrors of war and the importance of protecting civilians. It is also a story of hope and resilience, and a testament to the power of the human spirit.

A Nanking Winter

by Marjorie Chan

5 out of 5