LOS ANGELES, CA — In a quiet neighborhood in Monterey Park, Dr. Pedro Chan has spent the better part of two decades on a singular mission: tracing the echoes of the American Volunteer Group, famously known as the “Flying Tigers.” Today, the 80-year-old Chinese-American collector and President of the American Flying Tigers Institute has seen his life’s work reach a new milestone. Recently, Dr. Chan facilitated the safe passage of over 1,000 rare historical artifacts and documents to the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China, a gesture aimed at ensuring these shared memories of WWII are preserved for generations to come.
The collection is a vivid tapestry of history, featuring original 1942 U.S. commemorative stamps, wartime bonds, and a remarkably preserved October 1944 issue of LIFE magazine containing Theodore H. White’s eyewitness reporting from the front lines. These items do not just represent history; they represent the deep, personal ties that once bound two nations in a common cause.
Transporting such a fragile and priceless archive across the globe presented a significant logistical challenge. The task required more than just a shipping provider; it required a partner who understood the weight of the history being carried. Thunder Express, a prominent Southern California-based logistics firm, stepped forward to manage the operation.
“Moving items of such historical significance requires more than just technical precision; it requires a deep respect for the narrative they hold,” said a representative from Thunder Express. The firm provided specialized climate-controlled handling and navigated complex international compliance protocols to ensure the artifacts arrived in pristine condition.
This initiative coincides with a year of high-profile recognition for Thunder Express. On March 18, at the 2026 Global Women’s Leadership Summit held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Mingming Wang, President of Thunder Express, was honored with the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.
“Business is often seen through the lens of transactions, but our true role is to serve as a bridge,” said Wang during the summit. “Supporting Dr. Chan’s efforts to preserve the Flying Tigers legacy is an extension of our commitment to the communities we serve and the shared history that connects us.”
The successful delivery of the artifacts set the stage for further commemoration. On March 25, the “Tribute to General Claire Lee Chennault Forum” was held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where the national anthems of both countries were played in honor of the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.
In an era of complex global trade, the partnership between Dr. Pedro Chan and Thunder Express highlights a different kind of commerce, the exchange of goodwill and the preservation of truth. Through professional expertise and a shared sense of duty, they have sought to ensure that the legacy of the Flying Tigers remains not just a chapter in a textbook, but a living testament to friendship across the Pacific.
In an era of complex global trade, the partnership between Dr. Pedro Chan and Thunder International Group highlights a different kind of commerce, the exchange of goodwill and the preservation of truth. Through professional expertise and a shared sense of duty, they have sought to ensure that the legacy of the Flying Tigers remains not just a chapter in a textbook, but a living testament to friendship across the Pacific.
