May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, and this series of short profile videos is meant to commemorate some of the US Navy’s “firsts.” Gordon Pai’ea Chung-Hoon was the first Asian American to graduate from the Naval Academy and the first to reach flag rank. His naval career spanned more than three decades and two major U.S. conflicts. Learn more about him in this short video profile. This video is narrated by Museum Military Educator, Matthew Headrick and is produced, written and directed by the staff at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. (US Navy Video by Matthew Headrick/Released).

Transcript

Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon’s naval career spans three decades and two major US conflicts. He was the 1st Asian American to graduate from the Naval Academy and the 1st Asian American to reach flag officer. Yet more than anything. It was the actions he took on April 14 1945 while in command of the destroyer USS cigs be off Okinawa. That served as his defining moment as a result of his decision making. Under tremendous pressure, Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon saved the lives of many sailors and the ship itself for those remarkable acts of heroism, Cheung hon received both the Navy Cross and Silver Star. His incredible accomplishments undoubtedly helped pave the way for Asian Americans in the U. S. Navy people from his immediate community remembered Chong hon is being stern, compassionate and a family man Gordon ? Pay a Chang Hun. was born on July 25 1910 in Honolulu Hawaii. His mother was Hawaiian and his father was a Chinese English Hawaiian Chung-Hoon, graduated from high school in 1929. Then he moved to Maryland to attend preparatory school, after which he gained acceptance into the Naval Academy before he became a war hero. Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon was a football star. The navy football team was on a losing streak against its biggest rival army. This losing streak was in its 11th year. However Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon, the team’s halfback and punter played a crucial role in turning the tables with his exceptional play and he helped bring the losing stretch to an end. His success was highlighted in 1958 and a special feature of sports illustrated. He graduated in May of 1934 as the 1st Asian American to graduate from the Naval Academy Ensign Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon’s first duty was aboard USs Indianapolis chang hoon’s second assignment was the destroyer named for Captain john H. Dent Uss Dent. Then as a lieutenant Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon was assigned to U. S. S. Arizona. On the morning of December 7 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. One of the ships docked at Pearl Harbor was U. S. S. Arizona. Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania class battleship could not withstand the armor piercing bomb that exploded in the ship’s magazine 1177 of its crew went down with the ship. When the attack occurred, chang hoon was on weekend liberty, but upon hearing of the strike, he made every attempt possible to get back to his ship. By the time he arrived, the vessel had already met its demise 1945. Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon had taken command of the FLetcher class destroyer U. S. S six B. As part of Task Force 58. The ship help neutralize airfields in support of airstrikes for the anticipated assault on Okinawa. After it linked with picket ships near the island. six B was hit by Kamikaze. The ship’s port engine and steering control were knocked out of commission. 23 sailors were killed by the explosion. When Admiral Halsey suggested that Cheung hon scuttled the ship. He declined to do so out of concern for those sailors who were unable to swim. So while he and his crew worked to keep the ship from flooding U. S. S. Six B. Was able to maintain effective anti aircraft fire, striking down 20 planes. The ship made it to port for his leadership. Cheung hon received the Navy Cross in Silver Star. During the Korean war. He commanded the USs john w Thomason Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon went on to Captain Uss Norton Sound 1959. He was promoted to rear admiral another first for Asian Americans. After his naval career ended, he was appointed head of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture in 1961, Gordon Pasha at Cheung Hon passed away on July 24 1979, in honor of Rear Admiral Cheung Hon. The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USs chung hun was commissioned in 2000 and four at its home port at Pearl Harbor. He was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the pacific in Honolulu Hawaii Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon’s legacy can be best summarized by uss chung hoon’s motto, which is go forward, See warriors.