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Ceremony Honors Chinese American WWII Veterans From Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Wyoming

By Raymond Douglas Chong, AsAmNews Staff Writer

Portland Lodge of Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.), a non-profit organization, honored Chinese American World War II veterans, from Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming.

The Chinese-American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act recognizes and honors the service of an estimated 20,000 men and women of Chinese descent who served during World War II.

As an extension of the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, the Portland Lodge presented bronze medal replicas to living Chinese American WWII veterans and the next-of-kin of deceased Chinese American WWII veterans. The sublime Ceremony, on November 14, 2021, was held at Camp Withycombe – Armed Forces Readiness Center, Clackamas, Oregon, near Portland. Over 240 people attended on this autumn Sunday.

Dr. Cyrus Lee, DMD, smoothly emceed the Program. From Lee’s Association, two crimson lions dazzlingly danced. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1324, Oregon City, humbly presented the colors. Ed Gor, National Director, Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project, remarked on the journey by C.A.C.A. with retired generals and admirals to get approval of the Congressional Gold Medal by Congress.

K. K. Chinn, Army Major General (retired) and John Ma, Army Brigadier General (retired) presented the medal awards. General Chinn gave the Bronze Star Medal to the next of kin of Marvin Lee, Army Private. Lee, a rifleman, was posthumously recognized for his meritorious achievement in active ground combat during the liberation of the Philippines, in 1945.

The program was truly glorified by the presence of two living Chinese American Veterans: Wing Muin Mark, Army; and Allen Wong, Navy. Mark was a tank gunner during the advance to Germany. Wong served on a supply ship in the Pacific Theater. Then Generals Chinn and Ma presented the medal awards to next of kin, including me, for Gim Suey Chong, Navy, my father. As a mechanic, he serviced seaplanes, including the iconic China Clipper.

Wing Muin Mark, Army. Courtesy of Raymond Douglas Chong.

The Commemorative Book for Chinese American War II Veterans highlighted the formidable contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who gallantly served with Army, Army Air Forces, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. Pak On Lee was mechanic for the 1st American Volunteer Group – the Flying Tigers, in China. It told the story of Ying, his wife, and their two children who lived near the airbase. Seven brothers from the Lee family honorably served America. And they all survived WWII to return home to Portland. Hazel Ying Lee was a pioneer pilot for Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). She ferried fighters from New York to Montana. She died when her fighter collided with another fighter at Great Falls Army Air Base.

Helen Ying,C.A.C.A. National Executive Vice President, honored Chinese American veterans with a few brief remarks.

Chinese American men and women served in every theatre of WWII. They committed and sacrificed their lives defending American values of freedom.

Despite their duty of patriotism, loyalty, and courage, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 cruelly discriminated their American lives. The racist Act prevented immigrant Chinese Americans from obtaining citizenship. 

However, 20,000 Chinese Americans – nearly one in five served, when 40% were without citizenship. When Congress declared Chinese Americans unfit to be citizens, their acts of military heroism, bravery, and sacrifice were minimized and unrecognized.  They were members of the Greatest Generation. Chinese American veterans rightfully deserve this highest honor bestowed by Congress.

Helen Ying, C.A.C.A. National Executive Vice President

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1 COMMENT

  1. It is a shame that the 1882 exclusionary act took its toll on the Chinese citizens who serve this country. My father who is currently 104, worked on altimeters to help bring the flyers back after they drop the bombs on the enemy. Previous to that the flyers had no way of getting back home safely. Later on he help to create the guidance device for the pilots to use to drop the atomic bomb on Japan that end the war.

    His contribution, even though he was not recognized as a citizen until 1964, was that who contribute to the construction business, help find the Chinese consulates in Houston Texas, served on the grand jury, served as a trustee for a local bank.

    Moreover his greatest contribution to society is to have nine children, 30 grandchildrens, 31great children’s, that served as Colonel in the army, award-winning speech teacher, doctors, engineers, CPA, professors, civil servants,etc.

    The ignorances and prejudice of the small-minded people can be overcome with hard work obedience and diligence to the task at hand.

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