NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The National WWII Museum, in partnership with the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project, will celebrate six Chinese American WWII veterans who have received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow, during a ceremony on Saturday, March 9.
During World War II, as many as 20,000 Chinese Americans answered the call, enlisting in every branch of the US Armed Forces and serving in every theater of the war. Approximately 40 percent of those who served were not US citizens due to exclusionary laws that denied citizenship and equal rights to individuals of Chinese descent. Despite facing discrimination since before the war, many Chinese American servicemembers made important contributions to the war effort and earned citations for their heroism and honorable service, including the Medal of Honor. In 2018, Chinese American veterans of World War II were collectively honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their dedicated service in the face of prejudice.
The six honorees are:
- William Shih Yin Ching, US Army Air Corps
- Wai Hoo Tong, US Army
- Donald T.S. Lee, US Merchant Marine
- Harry G. Jung, US Army
- Wing Fook Joseph Li, US Army Air Corps
- Arthur T.S. Shak, US Army Air Corps
The Congressional Gold Medal is the oldest and highest civilian award in the United States. The award has been issued since the Revolutionary War and seeks to honor those whose achievements have had an impact on American history and culture.
WHEN: Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m.
WHERE: US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
945 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130