Tributes for an icon and a living legend - World War 2 Hero Captain 'Wink' Ho Weng Toh

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Heroes don't sing their own praises. As time passes and memories fade, we forget their stories and their incredible deeds.
We have a giant of history living in a humble HDB flat in Pasir Ris. This is the amazing story of 103 year old Captain Ho Weng Toh. Will you help us tell it?
Captain Ho Weng Toh, affectionately known as Winky, is the last Asian Flying Tiger still living today. He represents a brave coalition of Chinese and American pilots who defied the terrors of World War 2 to fight against the Japanese. He is also the last surviving war veteran in Singapore.
Born in Malaya, Captain Ho’s destiny was rewritten on the fateful morning of 8 Dec 1941, when he woke up that morning to witness Japanese warplanes bombing the old Kai Tak Airport.
That day, the entirety of his life was altered. He lost friends and faced indescribable hardship. He fled Hong Kong and became a refugee in China. Undeterred, he join the air force where he journeyed from China to Pakistan and then to the United States, braving the risk of enemy attacks from both air and sea to complete almost two years of gruelling training.
Captain Ho earned his wings, and returned as a fearless B25 Mitchell Bomber pilot, flying 18 treacherous combat missions, attacking key enemy installations and positions.
His heroism did not end with the war. China was soon engulfed in a civil war. He became a civil aviation pilot. And using his skills and experience from the war, helped to evacuate desperate refugees who had been displaced by the fighting.
He knew that it was not safe for him and his family to stay - especially with his first son on the way. He had to find a new place to call home.
This search for safety and a brighter future led him to anchor in Singapore, a place he was proud to call home. Here, Captain Ho could be called the “Father of SIA pilots,” as he laid the foundations for what would become one of the world’s leading airline - training the first 300 pilots for the airline (then known as Malayan Airways)
Today, nestled in Pasir Ris as the incredible age of 103, Captain Ho remains an emblem of dedication and bravery, a legacy yearning to be shared with all of Singapore.
“Why is your father’s story not more widely known?” I asked Fred, his 72 year old son. To which he replied that his father chose humility over fame, and kept a low profile of his story.
It was only in 2015, at the urging of his close friends that Captain Ho began penning his memoirs to offer us a window into his extraordinary life.
Captain Ho wants to tell the story of “ngai” (捱 endurance), a value his father taught him that empowered him to overcome all the hardships of war and the sorrows of life - all for the sake of the ones he loved.
Col (Ret) Lau Kee Siong, from the SAF Veteran’s League, underscores the urgency. He said that they had tried so hard to make his story known, but so many Singaporeans have yet to hear.
Help make Captain Ho’s story known!
YOUR MISSION - HOW YOU CAN HELP
Donate today to be a part of this initiative!
Here’s how you can help:
1) Spread the word. Share this page about Captain Ho’s inspiring journey on your social media.
2) Online Tribute : Fuel Captain Ho’s spirit by leaving an Online tribute when you sponsor the project. Every word you send, every sentiment you share will fortify his spirit. We’ll make sure Captain Ho hears each and every message.
3) Join our “Flying Tigers WhatsApp Club” and be the voice that magnifies Captain Ho’s legacy. We are looking to create a community that could include but not be limited to events and activities connected with the Flying Tigers.
WHY NOW? WHY CAPTAIN HO?
Hi, we are Grid Synergy, and we are determined to make a short film “Flying Tigers - Poison Shrimp”.
Poison Shrimp - A Symbol of Defiance: In an era when global powers tower over smaller nations, Captain Ho's story reminds us of our late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s defense strategy: "Poison Shrimp." We might be small, but we are fierce. We might be outnumbered, but we will not be overshadowed. As conflicts escalate worldwide, our stance remains clear: we will defend, and anyone daring to harm us will regret it.
The Legacy of a Hero: Captain Ho is our own Flying Tiger! In the turbulence of war, where the future of Singapore and the Asia Pacific region hung in the balance, Captain Ho and his generation fought hard to create a safe haven for generations to come. His valiant efforts were instrumental in laying the foundations where Singapore could become a prosperous and peaceful nation. It’s not just about honoring the past; it’s about understanding our roots. It is crucial to make this film now, while Captain Ho is still with us and let him tell his story! He is still very much focused on "mission first!"