The first Chinese American US Marine Corp officer was Wilbur Carl Sze, commissioned as Second Lieutenant, in 1943.
During World War II, unlike the army, the Marines did not form battalions of just Asian Americans, instead Asian Americans were integrated with European Americans.
The photo is of a statue in Washington, D.C. commemorating the moment when Marines raised the flag at Iwo Jima.
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RE: The first Chinese American marine officer: LT. Wilbur Carl Sze was indeed the First Asian/American to be Commissioned an Officer in the Marine Corps. He was in the Reserves’ My friend and fellow Marine Major Kurt Chew Een Lee though, was the First [ Regular- Enlisted ] and Combat Decorated [ NAVY-CROSS ] Recipient, to be Commissioned as a Chinese/American Officer. His Memorial Services took place at Arlington National Cemetery on 30 Sept. 2014. He passed away on 3-3-14. And is the subject of an Hour long Documentary ” UNCOMMON COURAGE BREAKOUT AT CHOSIN RESERVOIR” produced by the Smithsonian.
Former LCPL. USMC Steve McGowan
RE: The first Chinese American Marine officer:In a conversation with Professor Sze { George-Town University}, Wilbur Carl Sze’s Son, He asked me ” How can this be proven ? “, He didn’t seem to think it was an important topic of interest as to who was the first Chinese/ American Officer of the Marine Corps. The Princeton Historical Archive on the Marine Corps ” Chevron ” Magazine gives the credit and proof. Also, the Lineal List of Commissioned Officers bears this out as well.
My friend and fellow Marine Major Kurt Chew Een Lee died 3 years ago today.