Willows Korean Aviation School () was an aviation school meant to train fighter pilots for the Korean Independence Movement,Koreans to Train Aviators here to Fight the Japs (1920, March 1) Willows Daily Journal many of whom were members of the Korean National Association. It was established on February 20, 1920 in Glenn County, California, by Korean-Americans and backed by the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai.Miller, B. (2015, July 9). Willows Korean Aviation School Fueled Independence Movement. It was disestablished in April 1921.The choice for a Korean Aviation School to be established in California was for multiple reasons including the March 1st movement, interest and financial support from the Korean American community, the impact of World War I on aviation for combat and defensive purposes, and Japan's inability to control or influence the school on US soil.
Lee Jae-su was a co-founder and treasurer of the aviation school. In recognition of his contributions to Korea's independence movement, Lee Jae-su, originally buried in Maxwell, California, was posthumously reinterred in South Korea in 2019. Shortly before his death, Lee wrote a personal manifesto addressed to his children, imploring them to continue his efforts to rebuild a free and independent Korea.
The financial support for the Willows Korean Aviation School largely came from the first Korean-American millionaire Kim Chong Lim,Koreans To Have Aviation Field (1920, June 14) Willows Daily Journal until his fortune was lost when a disastrous flood in October 1920 destroyed his rice fields.
Although the school lasted for a little over a year, it had gained a lot of attentionKoreans Aviation School to Be Seen in Movies (n.d.). Willows Daily Journal and trained many of the pioneers of Korean aviation, including Park Hee-sung, Lee Yong-keun, and Song Yi-kyun. Two of its graduates went on to join the Republic of Korea Air Force, which recognizes the Willows Korean Aviation School as its predecessor.
See also History of Korea Provisional Government of Republic of Korea Korean independence movement List of militant Korean independence activist organizations Korean National Association Sinhan Minbo
References
Bibliography
Miller, B. (2015, July 9). Willows Korean Aviation School Fueled Independence Movement. Retrieved from https://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/30192 Koreans To Have Aviation Field (1920, June 14) Willows Daily Journal. Retrieved from http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll126/id/5716 Koreans To Train Aviators here to Fight the Japs (1920, March 1). Willows Daily Journal. Retrieved from http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll126/id/5716 Koreans Aviation School to Be Seen in Movies (n.d.). Willows Daily Journal. Retrieved from http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/p15799coll126/id/5716