Who's Who in China (3rd edition)/Wang T'an
General Wang T'an
王坦字養怡
General Wang T'an was born at Mukden, Fengtien province, in 1886. He was graduated from the Japanese Military Cadet's Academy. Upon his return to China after graduation, General Wang was appointed a Company Commander of the Third Artillery Battalion of the Third Division of the Imperial Army. In the autumn of 1911, General Wang was promoted to be Third Class Staff Officer of the Fifth Mixed Regiment. In 1912, the First Year of the Republic, he was transferred to be Commander of the Third Battalion of the Fifth Mixed Regiment. In July 1912 he was promoted to be Chief Staff Officer of the Fifth Mixed Brigade and was made a Lieutenant-Colonel. In May 1913 General Wang was appointed Chief Staff Officer of the Garrison Forces of the Charhar District and was made a Colonel with the brevet rank of Major-General. In May 1914 the 10th Division was organized and General Wang was appointed a Commander of the Artillery Regiment. At the same time he was made a Major-General. General Wang in September 1918 became a Battalion Commander of the Training Regiment of the War Participation Army. In January 1919 he was promoted to be Commander of an Artillery Regiment of the Third Division of the same Army. In October 1920 General Wang was transferred to Kirin to become Commander of the Second Infantry Regiment of Second Provincial Mixed Brigade of Kirin. In September 1921 General Wang was appointed a Councillor at large of the Ministry of War, Peking. In June 1922 he became a Councillor of the Ministry. In November 1922 he was awarded the Second Class Wenhu Decoration. In December 1922 he was made a Lieutenant-General. In July 1923 General Wang was appointed to act for Vice-Minister of War and was given the Second Class Chiaho Decoration. In August 1923 he received the Second Class Tashou Paokuang Chiaho Decoration. In October 1923 he was appointed Acting Vice-Minister of War. In March 1924 General Wang was made a Chieng-chun with "Chi-Wei” as special title. In June 1924 he was appointed Vice-Minister of War, which position he is still holding.
