Wang Yuchang receives an interview at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. Born in 1936 in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, Wang Yuchang joined the military in 1954, and became a technician in a surface-to-air missile unit four years later.
Responsible for missile fueling and maintenance, Wang managed to improve operational procedures through intensive training and technical research. Together with his fellows, he substantially contributed to faster preparation and higher combat readiness of the missile and radar systems.
Wang served on two operations in 1963 and 1964 that successfully shot down U-2 reconnaissance aircraft that had entered Chinese airspace. "The U-2 flew higher, faster and farther than most aircraft at the time, and few of us believed it could be brought down," Wang recalled.
These missions required Wang's unit to relocate the missile and radar systems vigorously across deserts, mountains and forests under harsh weather conditions and with limited supplies. "We were still using missiles that had been kept in the warehouse for years, but thanks to hard training and honed tactics, we made it," said Wang.
Discharged from active service in 1973, Wang returned to his hometown and got a job at a local department store. Colleagues knew only him as a hardworking and highly principled manager, but few were aware of his military record of flying colors.
Wang put away his medals and photographs from military service, and rarely spoke about his past. "There is no need to mention my previous achievements since I am now in a new walk of life," he once said.
It was not until 2019, or 21 years after Wang's retirement from his civilian service, that his military contributions became widely known in the neighborhood, as local authorities attempted to collect information on military veterans in that year.
To date, Wang still lives a simple life, passing his time by reading, practicing calligraphy, or sharing his stories with young people when invited. "I am always a piece of building block," Wang is often quoted as saying, "I will do whatever I can wherever I'm needed." (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
Wang Yuchang views an album at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
Wang Yuchang tells his story at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
Wang Yuchang strokes medals at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
This file photo taken on March 3, 2021 shows Wang Yuchang giving a lecture on revolutionary history at a primary school in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo by Su Feng/Xinhua)
Wang Yuchang receives an interview at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
Wang Yuchang receives an interview at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
This undated file photo shows Wang Yuchang working at a department store in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)
Wang Yuchang is pictured at his residence in Xiaoxian County, east China's Anhui Province, June 18, 2026. (Photo by Wen Qin/Xinhua)
This undated photo shows the portrait of Wang Yuchang. (Photo by Su Feng/Xinhua)
