Applications have been reopened for Chinese American World War II veterans to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
The medal may be awarded to the veteran or posthumously accepted by the veteran’s family.
In 2018, Congress passed the Chinese American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act to recognize military personnel who risked their lives for the United States despite living in a country that just months earlier had enforced the Chinese Exclusion Act.
The Chinese American Citizens Alliance which spearheaded the project reopened applications earlier this month after receiving additional donations.
Applications are being accepted through this weblink through January 11. The applicants must show proof of military service.
The Chinese American Citizens Alliance is led by Tony Russell Chan of Albuquerque who took office after being elected in September.
“People have these strange perceptions they develop that come from not understanding our history,” Chan said, such as, “’Asians are here to take your job, they are opium addicts, they are spreading the virus,’” he told the Albuquerque Journal.
He is the son of Carolyn Chan who served as president from 2009 to 2013. They are the organization’s first mother-son duo.
Russell Chan edited 38 oral histories with Chinese American World War II veterans prior to the passage of the Chinese American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act The project is credited with helping to pave the way for the awarding of the Gold Medal.
“We are just as patriotic and deserving of respect as any American citizen,” Chan said.
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