James B. Linder

On 28 April 1979, the U.S. flag was lowered for the last time in front of the United States Taiwan Defense Command. Rear Admiral James Linder, USTDC Commander, presided over this ceremony.

James Benjamin Linder (October 13, 1925 – April 7, 2009) was a flag officer and highly decorated Naval Aviator in the United States Navy. He served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War.

He was the last commander of the United States Taiwan Defense Command. He retired as a Rear Admiral and is one of the top 25 most decorated American veterans.

Biography Linder was born on October 13, 1925, in Osceola, Iowa. He enlisted in the United States Navy on May 19, 1943, serving until October 31, 1943.

On 11 May 1966, he was awarded the Silver Star for leading the squadron on a strike against a mobile SAM site at Thanh Hóa, North Vietnam. After earning the Navy Cross and Silver Star in combat, he earned a Second, Third, and Fourth Silver Star over a period of three consecutive days.

He was the last Commander of the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command and he oversaw the termination of the official command and closing down of all subordinate commands as well, due to switching of diplomatic relations from the Republic of China to the People's Republic of China. In 1979, he served as Special Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Command Admiral Donald C. Davis until his retirement on August 31, 1979.

Linder died on April 7, 2009, in Oro Valley, Arizona, and is buried at Forest Home Cemetery at Mount Pleasant, Iowa.