Frank Bessac Interview, March 1, 1988

Frank B. Bessac discusses his interest in Asian studies and how serving as an intelligence agent in China during World War Two provided him with opportunities to familiarize himself with Chinese and Mongolian history and culture. He describes working for the U.S. government China relief mission after the war, which entailed traveling to Mongolia to deliver grain and other supplies. Bessac recalls interacting with various groups of people in Mongolia who were fighting for Mongolian autonomy during a time when Chinese invasion and settlement was rampant. He talks about the rural conditions in Inner Mongolia and the difficulties of effective political organization that the Mongolians faced. Bessac describes traveling with U.S. embassy vice consul, Douglas MacKiernan before MacKiernan was shot and killed. He also mentions meeting the Dalai Lhama.https://scholarworks.umt.edu/internationaltopics_oralhistory/1000/thumbnail.jp