Chinese American WWII veterans to receive Congressional Gold Medal in Washington DC ceremony

US MINT

ASAM NEWS

It’s not too late to apply for a Congressional Gold Medal if you’re a Chinese American veterans from WWII or related to one. Descendants who apply can receive the medal on behalf of their late loved one.

The Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project is leading a national campaign to honor and celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of Chinese American Veterans of WWII with the Congressional Gold Medal.

While the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) Ceremony in Washington, DC, was originally to be held in Fall 2019, the Recognition Project team has reported that the ceremony will be held in Spring, 2020.

Over 20,000 Chinese Americans were estimated to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, despite the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act still being in effect at the beginning of the war.

Following years of advocacy, bi-partisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for the passage of the Chinese American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal on May 4, 2017. The bill was later signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2018.

Filipino WWII veterans who fought on behalf of the U.S. were also honored with a Congressional Gold Medal after legislation was unanimously passed through Congress and signed into law by President Obama in December 2016.

The law requires that after being awarded to the Chinese American veterans for their dedicated service, the medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution, which will display it for the public education of wartime history and service of Chinese American veterans.

Recipients will receive a replica of the medal.

Applications are being accepted here.

Trump signs bill awarding Congressional medals to Chinese American WWII veterans

A Chinese American unit marched during a WWII-era Veterans Day Parade.

ASAM NEWS

DUE TO THE overwhelming support of veterans and members of Congress, Donald Trump has officially signed the Chinese American World War II Veteran Congressional Gold Medal Act. The Act will make it possible for over 20,000 World War II Chinese American Veterans to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. 

The medal is considered one of the highest civilian honors. Senators Mazie Hirono, D-HI, and Tammy Duckworth, D-IL, along with Representatives Ed Royce,R-CA) and Ted Lieu, D-CA, introduced the bill which both the Senate and the House unanimously passed.

According to NBC News, the House passed the bill three days after the 75th anniversary of the Magnuson Act, which repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Despite facing discrimination and economic hardship, Chinese Americans prospered and built a life for themselves, believing in the American Dream. Over 20,000 Chinese American men and women enlisted into the military during the war to serve their country.

“The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery and sacrifice that the Chinese American veterans of World War II displayed,” said Royce in a statement.

“From the Flying Tigers, to their service in the Pacific and across Europe—these heroes answered the call of duty when our nation needed them the most and are worthy of recognition,” he said.

“The president’s signature on this bill reaffirms this administration’s recognition of the contributions minorities make in protecting our nation,” the Department of Education said in a statement. The Gold Medal dedicated to Chinese American WWII veterans will be displayed in The Smithsonian Institute. They are also hoping to display the medal at other locations as well.

The bill collectively awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Chinese-American Veterans of World War II, which includes individuals of Chinese ancestry who served honorably in active duty at any time during the period Dec. 7, 1941, and ending Dec. 31, 1946 under the command of the U.S. Armed Forces.

“This month, as the nation reflects on the 75th Anniversary of the Magnuson Act, which ended 61 years of discrimination towards Chinese Americans, it is poignant and bittersweet, said Davace Chin, National President of Chinese American Citizens Alliance. "Tens of thousands of Chinese American men and women enlisted at a difficult juncture in American history, when the Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect. We are grateful and appreciative for Congress’s recognition of service and sacrifice made by Chinese American veterans."

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.

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Congressional Gold Medal sought for Chinese/American WWII veterans

FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS of legislation that honored Japanese/American and Filipino/American WWII veterans by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal, a new bill was introduced to extend the same honor to Chinese/American WWII vets.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif, and Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., introduced on May 4, the Chinese American World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act (H.R. 2358). The bipartisan legislation recognizes the dedicated service of Chinese American veterans of World War II and collectively awards them the Congressional Gold Medal.

“The United States remains forever indebted to the bravery, valor, and dedication that the Chinese/American veterans of World War II displayed," said Royce. "Their commitment and sacrifice demonstrates a highly uncommon and commendable sense of patriotism and honor in the face of discrimination.

“To these brave veterans of World War II, thank you for your service and sacrifice. We are a grateful nation, and we honor your service by working towards a better world. We must promote diplomacy over conflict and ensure that war is the absolute last resort.” 

“As we observe this month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the introduction of our bill is a timely reminder of the many contributions AAPIs have made to our great nation, including serving in our military," added Lieu. 

By the start of World War II in 1941, slightly more than 100,000 Chinese/Americans had made a life for themselves in the U.S. Chinese/Americans faced major challenges, including discrimination, before the start of World War II due to laws such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, which limited the size of their population and their ability to build thriving communities. 

Nevertheless, and even with the Chinese Exclusion Act in place, almost 20,000 of these brave men and women served in the armed forces in every theater of battle and every branch of service, earning citations for their heroism and honorable service.

Francis B. Wai was awarded the Medal of Honor

One Chinese/American received the Distinguished Service Cross, Capt. Francis B. Wai. He was born in Hawaii, where his father was Chinese and his mother Native Hawaiian. After graduating from the Punahou School in Honolulu and the University of California at Los Angeles, Wai enlisted in the Hawaii National Guard and was called to active duty in 1940," said military historian James C. McNaughton of the Foreign Language Center of the Presidio of Monterey.

"Wai earned his commission through officers candidate school in 1941 and was assigned to the 34th Infantry, part of the 24th Infantry Division. On October 20, 1944, his unit landed at Leyte in the Philippines. He was killed in action while leading soldiers off the beach against accurate and concentrated enemy fire," said McNaughton. After the war, the award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for heroism during a war.

About one quarter of all Chinese/American soldiers served with the Army Air Forces. In 1943 the Army Air Forces organized some support units for the China-Burma-India theater, including the 14th Air Service Group, composed predominantly of Chinese-American personnel, according to  Other Chinese-Americans trained as pilots and aircrew and fought in Europe and the Pacific. However, most were assigned to regular ground units.

An estimated 40 percent of Chinese/American soldiers were not native-born citizens. After Congress repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943, many took advantage of their military service to become naturalized.

"From the Atlantic to the Pacific, Chinese/Americans served with courage and distinction during WWII and it is time for Congress to recognize them by awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal," said Lieu.

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