Gao Zhihang was born in Daduling Township, Sankeshuyu Town, Tonghua County in 1907.

On August 14, 1937, during the first air battle against Japan, Gao Zhihang shot down six enemy planes, achieving a great air victory. This dealt a heavy blow to the arrogance of the Japanese invaders, shattered the myth of the Japanese army's invincibility, and inspired anti-Japanese fighters across the country. August 14 was thus designated as China Air Force Day by the Nationalist Government.

In November 1937, Gao Zhihang was killed in a surprise attack by the Japanese army while stationed at Zhoujiakou Airport in Henan Province, at the age of 30. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major General by the Nationalist Government.

On August 14, 2002, the 65th anniversary of the "August 14" Great Air Victory, the Gao Zhihang Martyr Memorial Hall (Former Residence of Gao Zhihang) opened under the auspices of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force, Tonghua Municipal Government, Beijing Aviation Friendship Association, and other units.

On March 23, 2010, the opening ceremony of the TV drama The Gone Eagle, set against the backdrop of General Gao Zhihang's military career, was grandly held at Tonghua Radio and Television Theater.

The Zhihang Primary School in Sankeshuyu Town, Tonghua County, was renamed by the local government from the former Sankeshuyu Town Central Primary School, where General Gao once studied, to commemorate him and inspire future generations.

On July 31, 2009, Ms. Gao Liliang, daughter of General Gao Zhihang, and two others returned to the general's hometown to pay homage to their ancestors.