With military tensions at a peak, many high-level military officers ended up collapsing with fatigue and being put on IV drips, but thanks to his hardy Aboriginal constitution Tsao was able to persevere, keeping his head clear and his will strong.
曹明生記得，當時兩岸戰情緊繃，許多高階軍官因體力不濟而累倒、吊點滴，而他卻有原住民充沛的體能作為後盾，讓他在軍情吃緊的時候，得以保持清醒的頭腦與鋼鐵的意志。