Secret File on John Birch

by James C. Hefley, Marti Hefley

Most Americans recognize the name of John Birch because of the high-profile and often controversial anti-communist John Birch Society founded in his honor. But few people know the true story of this courageous Christian missionary and United States intelligence agent, to whom countless American airmen in China during World War II owe their lives. Even fewer know the story of his brutal murder, which was covered up by U.S. government officials for years. James & Marti Hefley's book reveals the background of this patriotic young man who was gunned down and mutilated by Chinese Communists 12 days after the war ended and who many believe was the true unsung hero of the China War Theater in World War II. Captain John M. Birch, the son of devout Christian parents, landed in China in 1939 when he was barely 22 years old. Entering language school, he became fluent in Chinese in order to begin work as an itinerant missionary. The advancing Japanese army soon changed his plans. He went on to become an intelligence officer for Gen. Claire Chennault, legendary leader of the Flying Tigers of World War II fame, who described Birch as "more valuable to me than any pilot" for his rugged, dangerous work behind Japanese lines. The truth of who John Birch was and what he stood for negates the preconceived notions many Americans may have of this World War II figure and depicts him as the crackerjack Chennault sent out to rescue American airmen who were shot down in remote areas of China. The story line takes the reader through a gamut of emotions--from the sense of security created by his warm, loving family, to his love for the people of China, where he was known as "Bey Shang We." Birch's strong view of patriotism, coupled with his romance with a Scottish nurse, give a sense of joyous release when victory is won in China. This contrasts vividly with the visualization of his mutilated body and the ensuing cover-up of his murder, theoretically to keep Americans from rising in their wrath and vetoing further appeasement of communism in that post-World War II China era. The file, for decades marked SECRET and placed under lock and key, was finally declassified in 1972 through the Freedom of Information Act. Through countless interviews with military officials, Birch's officer colleagues, members of the Birch family, and other organizations, the Hefleys piece together an unprecedented look into the life of this intriguing and misunderstood war hero.

Genres: Biography

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

James C. "Jim" Hefley is the author of more than 50 books including the popular Way Back series, of which this book is one. For many years prior to retirement, Hefley was a popular author and well-known inspirational speaker. He lives in Hannibal, Missouri, where he founded Hannibal Books in the early 1980s. In 1999 he sold the book publishing company to KLMK Communications, Inc., which is based in Garland, Texas.

Reviews

[Leon Laffredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ours was, and probably still is, a sketchy government. It would be nice to believe the things our government did back in the 1920 - 1970 was specific to that period and they have policed themselves and no longer act in a similar manner, but I think that is probably wishful thinking.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret File on John Birch by James and Marti Hefley is the life story of John Birch. Birch was born in India to missionary parents, but he grew up in the United States when, for medical reasons, his family had to return home. He was a Southern Baptist missionary to China.

Birch went to China before the U. S. entered the second World War. He arrived when China was partially occupied by the Japanese. After Pearl Harbor was attacked, the U. S. entered the war and many missionaries in China were evacuated, but Birch stayed in China. Birch volunteered for the Army and became an intelligence officer in China. He was murdered by the communists after the end of the war.

This book is written from the conspiratorial perspective, which is disappointing because the spiritual aspects of Birch’s life are much more important and edifying. I highly recommend this book so long as you are not caught up with the conspiracy aspect.

[Bliss Tew · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading "The Life of John Birch," written in 1954 by Robert Welch, who later founded The John Birch Society in 1948, I had to read the more recent exploration of the coverup by our government of the murder of U.S. Army Captain John M. Birch by Chinese Communists in 1945. Senator John Knowland, in a speech to the Senate on September 5, 1950, said that "If the Members of Congress had had this information in August or September 1945, is there any person here who feels that theywould have tolerated the subsequent activity of the State Department in trying to force a coalition between the government of the Republic of China and the Communists reprsented by the man who shot Captain Birch in cold blood?"

Many understand that the coverup of Captain Birch's murder, by communist sympathizers in our State Department helped Mao Tse Tung to come to power in China!

[Steve Oglesby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only recently learned that there has been a pro-communism movement within our country for over 100 years. Here is one story that shows how groups within our government did everything possible to ensure that China became a communist country at the end of WWII.