Chapter 1: The Courageous Spirit of Robert Short

A heart so brave and a spirit so genuine,

He soared through the skies, answering his nation's call.

During China's tumultuous conflict, he stood firm,

Defending the innocent with unwavering resolve.

Furious at the aggressors who preyed on the weak,

He boldly engaged, seeking out their aircraft.

In the heat of battle, he took down his enemies,

But ultimately, his life was lost.

At merely twenty-seven, his story came to an end,

A fallen hero, forever remembered in the East.

The first to lay down his life in this struggle,

For China's fight, he took to the skies.

Oh, Robert Short, your legacy endures,

A testament of valor that continually inspires.

Your sacrifice shines as a guiding light,

Illuminating the path to freedom.

On February 22, 1932, during his second aerial skirmish with Japanese forces, Lieutenant John MacKenzie Thornton Emery Steele, affectionately known as "Shorty" Short, found himself surrounded by six enemy aircraft. After successfully downing one Japanese plane and eliminating a commanding officer, Short's aircraft was struck, leading to a crash into the Wu Song River in Gaobian Village, Chuanfang Town, Wuxi County (now Siyang Street, Suzhou Industrial Park), Jiangsu Province. He became the first foreign pilot to lose his life in the Chinese War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the first American pilot to be killed in this conflict.

In July 1932, a granite obelisk was erected at the crash site in Wuxi, inscribed with "The Martyrdom Site of American Aviator Shote." That same year, a memorial was also constructed in Suzhou Park, though it was later destroyed by Japanese forces during the war. The obelisk in Wuxi, located by the river, fell victim to erosion and was rebuilt in 1985. In 1999, a statue honoring Short was unveiled. The memorial hall was relocated to Jiangbin Park in Gaobian Village in 2009. On September 1, 2014, Short was recognized in the inaugural list of renowned anti-Japanese martyrs and hero groups published by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China. In 2018, the memorial monument in Suzhou Park was reconstructed and re-dedicated.

Chapter 2: Commemorating His Legacy

This video, titled "Ode to Joy (A Post Apocalyptic Short Film)," explores themes of resilience and hope amidst despair, echoing the spirit of bravery exemplified by Robert Short.

The second video, "Ode to a Poet Called 'Tom,'" dives into the art of poetry and storytelling, reflecting on the legacies left behind by those who have fought for freedom, much like Robert Short.