George Fitch

George Fitch. He was an American Presbyterian missionary and humanitarian best known for his courageous efforts during the Nanking Massacre in 1937. As a key administrator of the Nanking Safety Zone, he risked his life to protect Chinese civilians from the atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army. His detailed diary and film footage provided crucial firsthand evidence of the war crimes to the international community.

Early life and education

Born in Soochow to missionary parents, he spent his early childhood in China before his family returned to the United States. He attended Morningside College in Iowa and later graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1920. His theological training and deep connection to China prepared him for a lifelong career with the YMCA and other Christian organizations in Asia.

Career

Following his ordination, he returned to East Asia, initially serving with the YMCA in Korea and later in Shanghai. He held various positions focused on social work and education, becoming well-integrated into the expatriate community. Prior to the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, he was serving as the General Secretary of the YMCA in Nanking, a role that placed him at the center of the impending humanitarian crisis.

Nanking Safety Zone

As the Imperial Japanese Army approached Nanking in late 1937, he joined a group of Western expatriates, including John Rabe and Minnie Vautrin, to establish the Nanking Safety Zone. He served as its director, coordinating shelter, food, and medical care for over 200,000 refugees. He famously smuggled out a detailed diary and film footage documenting the mass murder, rape, and arson perpetrated by Japanese troops, which he later presented to officials in Shanghai and Washington, D.C.. His courageous actions, often in direct confrontation with Japanese soldiers, saved countless lives.

Later life and death

After leaving Nanking in 1938, he continued humanitarian work with the United China Relief organization during World War II. He later served with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration in Greece and China. He retired to Pasadena, California, where he remained active in church and community affairs until his death in 1979, just two days before his 96th birthday.

Legacy and honors

His first-hand account remains a vital primary source for historians studying the Nanking Massacre, featured prominently in works like *The Rape of Nanking* by Iris Chang. In 1996, the Chinese government posthumously awarded him the Nanking Massacre Memorial Medal for his humanitarian bravery. His legacy is preserved at institutions such as the Nanking Massacre Memorial Hall and continues to be honored by scholars of World War II in Asia.

Category:American humanitarians Category:1883 births Category:1979 deaths