The memorial service for R.O.C. air force pilot Lieutenant Colonel Kao Ting-cheng was held yesterday at the Chiayi Air Base. President Ma Ying-jeou, accompanied by Minister of National Defense Kao Kuang-chi and Chief of the General Staff Yen Teh-fa, attended the ceremony in person to pay tribute to the deceased pilot and to offer his condolences to his family members. On behalf of the President, Minister Kao presided over the presentation of accolades and the awarding of posthumous medal and military rank. Furthermore, a squad of four F-16 jet fighters flew over the grounds of the ceremony in the Missing Man Formation to salute and show their highest respect for their fallen comrade, Lieutenant Colonel Kao.
Lieutenant Colonel Kao Ting-cheng passed away in a crash during a routine training session at the Luke Air Force Base in the United States at 9 AM on January 21st, Pacific Standard Time (midnight on January 22nd, Taiwan local time). Kao’s family arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport early morning yesterday with Lieutenant Colonel Kao’s ashes. After being received by a delegation of honor guards led by Air Force Command General Shen Yi-ming at the apron, the family members returned to their home in Miaoli’s Houlong Township for a short stopover. Miaoli County Magistrate Hsu Yao-chang arrived at the family’s home to offer incense to honor the deceased pilot. The memorial service was held later in the day at Chiayi Air Base.
President Ma attended the memorial service in the company of Minister Kao, Chief of the General Staff Yen, and other top military officials. The President presented an elegiac couplet with the characters Zhuag Zhi Wei Chou (‘Passing Away Before Realizing One’s Ambition’) in memory of Major Kao. On behalf of the President, Minister Kao presented a Medal of Victorious Garrison A-Second Class and accolades, as well as promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Kao Ching-lin, the father of Lieutenant Colonel Kao, solemnly received the honors on behalf of his son.
During the memorial rites, a military police squad performed the gun salute, while former classmates and comrades of Lieutenant Colonel Kao lined the way to bid their farewell to the pilot. Furthermore, four F-16 jet fighters from the Air Force’s 455 Tactical and Fighting Wing performed an aerial flyover in Missing Man Formation above the venue. The second plane in the formation pulls up towards the left and away from the formation as the group flies over the casket, symbolizing the departure of the pilot from this world, leaving only his memories. After the ceremony, the family members of Lieutenant Colonel Kao brought his ashes with them as they boarded the C-130 transport plane heading back to Taipei. The ashes will be stationed temporarily at Bitan Air Force Cemetery in Taipei, with public funeral slated for March 29th during the Spring Ceremony.
According to the Air Force Command, Lieutenant Kao showed love for the nation, and admiration for flight as a child. He was determined to take the entrance exam and matriculate at the Air Force Academy. After he graduated from the Academy, Kao enrolled in the basic training program for flying the T-34. He made further progress and flew aircrafts such as AT-3 and F-5. Due to his admiration for the superb performance of the F-16 jet fighters, he volunteered for the F-16 lead-in fighter training program at Chiayi Air Base. He was assigned to serve as pilot at the 455 Tactical and Fighting Wing, and had a total of 875 flight hours.