Mike's Genealogy Site

Carl Rothschild's Military Service

Carl Rothschild

Carl Rothschild, World War II

My father, Carl Rothschild, was born in New York city in 1917. He and his family moved with his father's job (working for a manufacturing company) that took him to England as a young child, and then to Cheefoo, on the northern coast of China. Carl lived there with his parents and his younger brother Norvin in the early 1930s- the era of the warlords, before the Communist revolution. There were a few other western families in that community, mostly missionaries.

After his first year of college at Yen-Ching University in Beijing, Carl went back to the United States to finish his undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Maryland. He graduated from medical school in 1938, and entered a residency in orthopaedic surgery.

During the course of his residency, World War II broke out. Carl entered the service in the Army Air Corps (the forerunner of today's Air Force) as a general medical officer. He served in the China-Burma theatre, where his knowledge of the Chinese language and culture were well appreciated. During this time, he wrote several hundered letters home to his mother Sadie (now in Brooklyn). His father Mervin had been taken prisoner by the Japanese and was being held in a camp in Shanghai.

Letter of Commendation from General Chennault (click to enlarge)

Carl volunteered for missions to destroy air bases in the face of advancing Japanese troops who had overrun the Chinese and allied defenses. After the mission to Liuchow - where he participated in the demolition itself, as well as serving as the unit's medical officer - he received this commendation from the famous general Chennault of the "Flying Tigers".

Other members of this mission received the Bronze Star. However, because of a technicality, Carl never actually received this award, despite the recommendation by his commanders. In 1995, after his death, his widow (my mother) Naomi petitioned the government and the medal was awarded posthumously.

Click here to see a number of photos, letters and other documents concerning my father's service during World War II, and the Bronze Star award. Click here to see some of his own photography, done during his time as a base surgeon in China.

Here is a video clip, taken from a series of longer interviews, in which Carl discusses his experiences during the War.