Anti-Communist Hero

Anti-Communist Hero (Chinese: 反共義士) was the title given by the Republic of China government in Taiwan to defectors from mainland China during the Korean War and the Cold War. The title was first given on 23 January 1954 to 14,000 prisoners of war from the People's Volunteer Army who defected to Taiwan. Most of them were former Kuomintang soldiers taken captive by the communist forces during the Chinese Civil War. The defectors were tattooed with anti-communist slogans and the KMT flag before coming to Taiwan.[1] The memorial day World Freedom Day (一二三自由日) was founded in their honor.

A 1955 stamp from Taiwan commemorating the Anti-Communist Martyrs.

The title was later given to a number of PLAAF defectors who also surrendered their aircraft, providing valuable insight into PRC aircraft technology. Many of these defectors were given financial rewards. The title was abolished following the end of martial law in Taiwan and the thawing of cross-strait relations.