Liu was born
Liu Jishu () in Renyi Town of
Guiyang County,
Hunan, on April 17, 1898. He attended the Lanjia Joint Middle School (now Guiyang No. 1 High School). After graduating from
Whampoa Military Academy, he enlisted in the
National Revolutionary Army. In July 1942, he participated in the
Battle of Yenangyaung led by
Sun Li-jen in
Burma, rescuing more than 7000 British soldiers and 500 American journalists and missionaries. After the
Chinese Civil War, he moved to
Taiwan with his family. Liu retired in January 1954 and emigrated to
Los Angeles in 1977. In 1992, the former British Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher met with him and thanked him for saving the British army. Liu died of illness on June 29, 1994, in Los Angeles. ==Personal life==