Lawrence Ting

Lawrence S. Ting (丁善理) (1939–2004) was a decorated soldier and a pioneer businessman who became one of the largest foreign investors in Vietnam.^[1]

Military career

Lawrence Ting was a graduate of the Chinese Military Academy of Taiwan, Republic of China, in 1961. Lawrence Ting was the First Captain of the Cadet Corp. and the head of the Academy's Cadet Honor Committee. Lawrence Ting was sent to the US to receive further training at the US Army Infantry School and was one of few military officers from Taiwan who completed the US Army Ranger School in Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1964, he was awarded the National Defense Scholarship by the Ministry of Defense of Taiwan for further graduate level studies at Columbia University. From 1970 to 1972, Lawrence Ting served at Office of Military Strategy at the Office of the President. Lawrence Ting retired from the R.O.C. Army after 10 years of service as a Major in 1972.

• Lawrence Ting was decorated with the Order of Chi-Hsueh and Order of Distinguished Service. Lawrence Ting received the United States Army Expert Marksmanship Badge in Rifle, Airborne Tab and Ranger Tab in 1962. Lawrence Ting received a Certificate of Merit from the Superintendent of Chinese Military Academy in 1958 and a Certificate of Merit from the Army Chief of Staff in 1968.

Petrochemical career

Lawrence Ting joined the China Gulf Plastics Group, a joint venture with Gulf Oil Corporation of the US. He rose through the ranks from Manager, Chief Plant Manager, to Executive Vice President of the 16th largest enterprise in Taiwan. He later became President and equity partner of a number of subsidiary companies. At the encouragement of Mr. T.T. Chao, Lawrence Ting ran for and was elected Chairman of Taiwan Plastics Industry Association. He served two terms for a total of 6 years. At the request of the government, Lawrence also served as a Director of the China External Trade Development Council.

• Lawrence Ting was awarded a Ministry of Interior Citation by the Minister of Interior Wu Po-hsiung for services rendered.

Re-entry of Olympic Games

Lawrence Ting was instrumental in negotiating the re-entry of Olympic Games for athletes from Taiwan. He served as the General Secretary for Chinese Taipei Fencing Association,^[2] promoting with much effort to secure Taiwan's membership in the International Fencing Committee. He also served as Vice Chairman of the R.O.C. Olympic Committee. In 1976, he assumed the position of Chief de Mission of the Games of the 21st Olympiad in Montreal. In 1981 Henry Hsu (徐亨), Shen Chia Minh(沈家銘) and Lawrence Ting (丁善理), finally were able to secure the re-entry of Olympic Games under the name Chinese Taipei.

• For his efforts Lawrence Ting received a Presidential Citation from President Chiang Kai Shek for outstanding leadership in international relations on sports events in 1974; and the Ministry of Education Gold Medal in Physical Sports in 1984.

Other Awards

• For other services rendered to the government, Lawrence Ting received the Order of Hua Hsia in 1979.
• In 1993 Lawrence Ting was awarded a Honorary Certificate of Merit by then President Lee teng-hui.

Columbia Alumni Association of Taiwan

Lawrence Ting served as Secretary General of the Columbia University Alumni Association of Taiwan for 6 years and as the President of the Alumni Association for a further 6 years.

Chinese Military Academy Alumni Association

Lawrence Ting ^[3] and other alumni of the Chinese Military Academy established the Chinese Military Academy Alumni Foundation in 1989 and Mr. Ting served as its chairman from 1989 to 2004. Lawrence Ting was named as Outstanding Alumni by the Central Military Institutes in 1990.

Investments in Vietnam

Lawrence Ting initiated a series of infrastructure project investments in Vietnam in 1989.^[4] He was the founding Chairman of a number of companies including CT&D Group, Phu My Hung Corporation, Tan Thuan Corporation and Hiep Phuoc Power Company.

• Lawrence Ting was awarded the Ho Chi Minh City Medal of Honor in 1993. Lawrence Ting received a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Vietnam in 1997 and 2001; a Certificate of Merit from the Mayor of Ho Chi Minh City in 2003.

Posthumous Honors

Lawrence Ting died in 2004. State President of Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Triet, awarded Lawrence Ting, posthumously, Vietnam's Friendship Medal in December 2007. In Ho Chi Minh City Phu My Hung Corporation's headquarter building was renamed Lawrence S. Ting building in memory of its Chairman in 2005. The Lawrence Ting Memorial Fund^[5] was set up in Vietnam in 2005. Ting Field, a sports field at the Fay School of Southborough, Mass, was named after Lawrence Ting in 2005.^[6] Lawrence S. Ting Memorial School was established in his name in 2008. Lawrence Ting Charity Walk is held every year since 2006 in memory of Lawrence Ting. Over 12,000 people joined the walk in 2008.^[7]

References

External links

• Lawrence S. Ting
• Chinese Military Academy Alumni Foundation