Yu Dawei

Yu Dawei was born in 1887 (another source states 1898). After graduating from the middle school division of Fudan Public School in Shanghai in 1915, he was admitted to Saint John’s University in Shanghai, where he excelled academically and was awarded a scholarship to study philosophy at Harvard University in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in philosophy. He later studied physics and ballistics at the University of Berlin in Germany. In 1927, he was dispatched by Zhejiang Province Governor Chen Yi to participate in the National Revolutionary Army; however, due to lapses in secrecy, Sun Chuanfang became aware of the incident, and it was subsequently resolved. In 1928, Chen Yi traveled abroad under the guise of military inspection to secretly purchase arms, with the help of Tan Yan Kai. Through Tan Boyu’s introduction, Chen Yi met Yu Dawei. Chen Yi collaborated with Yu Dawei, signing arms deals and sharing kickbacks, and was known for his integrity and self-discipline.

In 1932, Yu Dawei returned to China and served as the chief secretary of the General Staff. Starting in 1933, he served as director of the Ordnance Bureau for twelve years, overseeing equipment upgrades and factory reorganizations, including the Hanyang Ordnance Factory in Shenyang. In 1945, he was promoted to deputy minister of the Military and Political Affairs Department. In 1946, he became Minister of Transportation. Following Chiang Kai-shek’s retreat to Taiwan in 1949, he served as deputy director of the U.S. Aid Utilization Committee, Minister of Defense, and was appointed as an advisor to the Office of the Leader of Taiwan Region. In his later years, he focused on cross-strait relations, opposed Taiwanese independence, and passed away in Taipei in 1993.

Family-wise, his father was Yu Mingyi, and his mother was Zeng Guangshan. His great-grandson is Yu Zusheng. His wife, Chen Xinwu, was from Jiangxi and the daughter of Chen Sanli, known as the “San Yuan Old Man.” They had children together. His eldest son, Yu Yang, worked in aviation technology in the United States. His second son, Yu Fangji, and third son, Yu Xiaoji. His grandson is Yu Zusheng. His brother, Yu Dahe, was a professor and president at Beijing Agricultural University. Among his sisters, Yu Dazhen was an English professor at Peking University, Yu Daxu served as Minister of Higher Education, and Yu Daicai was the wife of Fu Sinian. An avid marksman, he tested new weapons and earned the title “Divine Shooter.” His former residence is located in the Nanzushi'an area of Gulou District; built in 1929, it is a three-story brick-and-concrete structure.