GREAT LAKES, Illinois (May 3, 2021) Capt. Raymond Leung, commanding officer, Naval Station Great Lakes, presents the Congressional Gold Medal April 29, 2021, to Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jeffrey Tan and his grandfather, Frank Wong, on behalf of Tan’s great-grandfather, Jin Wong, for his service in the U.S. Army during World War II . This presentation is part of the Chinese-American World War II Veteran Project, a national campaign to identify, honor, and recognize the accomplishments of all Chinese-Americans who served in the U.S armed forces during World War II. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brigitte Johnston)

Transcript

Thank you again, everybody for coming. I’m going to kind of read through a couple of things and significance of this metal. So frankly thank you coming then. It’s really good to go over here and kind of talk about some of the history, uh huh. When the United States and the World War II, about 29,000 persons of Chinese ancestry were living in Hawaii and another 78,000 on mainland by wars. And over 130 Chinese Americans who were serving in the army, Including the 3rd, 4th six, 32nd and 77th Infantry Divisions. An estimated 40 of Tigers. American soldiers were not native born citizens After Congress repealed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943, which you can go back to history. Uh, started back in 1882. So it lasted about 60 61, little over 61 years for the Chinese exclusion act, many took advantage of their military service to become citizens Today in recognition of his late great grandfather’s service in World War I of our sailors FC three, Jeffrey Tan is accepting the Congressional gold medal on behalf of Gen H Wall. The congressional gold medal is part of the Chinese American World War two Veterans Recognition Project, a national campaign to identified honor and recognize the efforts and accomplishments of all Chinese Americans who served in the United States armed services in World War Two, jen long Came to the United States in 1927 as a laborer sponsored by his father. My great grandfather was here in new York In the 20 this it was about the same time frame when my great grandfather was here too, but he ended up only in New York. He enlisted in the Jin Wang, enlisted in the US. Army and served in the headquarters battery, 662nd field artillery From December 1943 to December 1945, earning citizenship for himself. His family following the war, Jim’s son frank, Who honors us with his presence here today immigrated to the United States in 1946. You survive starvation and innovation of Japanese forces in Guangdong province in china during the war And he was drafted into the US. Army at 20 and served in headquarters company 55th Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade in Seoul Korea. From 1953 1955. Both men worked in the family business. After they completed their service, they ran a scion restaurant in Chicago chimes is short for Chinese American. My understanding. That’s correct. Yeah. Military service once in a family jen’s nephew Nate long served in the U. S. Army in Korea and frank’s younger brother. Younger brother served thomas long served in the U. S. On the Indiana. So it was natural for FC 310 to follow his family’s military footsteps right in the military service. And I thought I’d tell you a little bit about today’s metal which I’m about to present. After Chinese American World War two Veterans congressional Gold Medal act became public law in December of 2018 which is just recently the U. S. Mint collaborated with distinguished Chinese American service members to design a suitable congressional gold medal for Chinese american World War Two veterans. After extensive reviews of the designs, liaison team narrow the focus the designs of the front that show the Chinese American veterans of World War Two serve in every branch in every theater. On the back. The metal depicts how those distinguished men and women served on land. See Yeah. During the war showing a Sherman tank, U. S. S. Missouri and a P 40 fighter plane used by members of the Flying tigers which is rooted deep in history in the theater over in china. And I would like to present fc Tan and mr long uh join me up here in front of the flag for the official presentation. All right. So or because you go into the new ceiling. Yes. Okay. Started going to think that we would again come on you don’t want. Mhm. All right sir. Mhm. Just thank you to all who made this ceremony possible. I am Jonathan Ewan and I am honored to participate in this celebratory event While growing up in San Francisco. I remember proudly looking at photos of my three uncles in their army and merchant marine uniforms. From serving with what I now know to be 20,000 other proud Chinese American veterans of World War II. I have a quote from john Quincy Adams that may reflect the deeds and stories of Fc Three tans. Great grandfather Jin wang in particular but also his grandfather frank wong. I am a warrior so that my son may be a merchant so that his son, maybe a poet. Thank you for sharing your stories. So future generations will know who we are and from where we come we stand on the shoulders of all of our World War Two veterans who fought for rights not yet realized for themselves in the country of their choice on behalf of the speaker of the House. The honorable Nancy Pelosi, thank you for the devoted service of the jin wang family, meriting this congressional gold medal for Chinese American World War Two Veterans wishing you and your families continued fair winds and following seas.