The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files
Made in Taiwan: A Naïve American’s Chaotic Journey to Manhood in an Exotic Culture During Radical Times – Formosa Files chats with Vietnam vet and author TC Brown – S5-E28
Sep 11, 2025
T.C. Brown, a Vietnam-era veteran and author of *Made in Taiwan*, shares his captivating journey as a naive 18-year-old arriving in Taichung during the tumultuous late 1960s. He reflects on his five-year deployment, colorful nightlife, and significant relationships with bar girls that shaped his experiences. Brown discusses adapting to local culture, his duties as a Sky Cop, and the interplay of American presence with Taiwan's entertainment scene. He also touches on the cultural exchanges in music and the challenges of navigating life in an exotic and chaotic environment.
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First Arrival And Early Romance
- T.C. Brown arrived in Taichung at age 18 and called Taiwan a transformational, exotic experience that reshaped him.
- He had his first major relationships there, including a bar girl he thought might become his wife.
Reenlistment And Relationships
- Brown volunteered for Vietnam partly to return to Taiwan sooner and to extend his service strategically.
- He described meeting and falling for bar girls, drawn by poverty and stark economic differences.
US Presence Transformed Local Economy
- The American presence dramatically boosted local consumption and entertainment economies in Taiwan.
- Brown noted servicemen's money and demand transformed bars, music sales, and nightlife in Taichung.
