Fourteen-year-old “Gem Yau Lee” was aboard the steam ship Empress of Asia when it departed Hong Kong on June 10, 1938. The passenger listed his birthplace as “Toi Shan, China”. He had been with his mother Dang Chee, in “Tin Sum Chuen, Toi Shan, China”. Lee’s father, in Harris, Texas, submitted an affidavit for his entry. Lee arrived at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on June 27, 1938. Lee transferred to the ship Princess Marguerite which took him to Seattle, Washington later that day. After an investigation he was admitted on September 2, 1938. Lee’s destination was Kwong Chong & Co. at 703 King Street in Seattle.
Lee has not been found in the 1940 United States census. His World War II draft card is not available.
Lee was in New York City when he enlisted on May 1, 1943.
Lee’s first name was misspelled Jem on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993 and page 215 of In the Shadow of the Tiger which included his hometown in 1945. He adopted the name Denny.
Jem Y. Lee (Denny Lee)…..Houston, TexasIn the book Lee was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
...Greetings to the 4 new men who joined the 407th this week. They are Cpl Eugene Szeto and Pvt Gem Y. Lee of New York, Cpl San Pon of Detroit, and Cpl William J Hoy of San Francisco....and Pfc Hanson Siu was transferred to the 555th Squadron at Springfield, Illinois........Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
....and all those letters you see Pvt Gee [sic] Y Lee writing are dispatched to a Violet in Noo Joisey....After the war Lee settled in Texas.
The 1950 census counted Lee in Houston at 2603 1/2 Sampson Street. He was single and a retail store clerk.
Lee might be “Gim Lee” (in the Texas Death Index at Ancestry.com) who passed away on August 17, 1983 in Harris County.
GEORGE H. LEE
Lee was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lee and his hometown in 1945 on page 215.
George H. Lee…..New York, New YorkIn the book Lee was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said
….And why does Sgt George H. Lee turn green in the face whenever he’s offered a drink these cold days?….
Houng-Lee, George Jr. It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Houng-Lee Jr. on July 23rd, 2011 at the age of 90 years. George passed away after a battle with cancer; our family is grateful for the care he received from the Fair Haven Staff over the last two years. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Gwen of 62 years, children Alice (Patrick), Katherine (Ray), Virginia (Art), Terry (Marlene), Jonathan, his seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. George was born in Suva, Fiji in 1921. From 1943 to 1947, he joined the U.S. Army as a ranked Sargent. He then brought his family to Canada in 1966 and retired as a mechanic foreman twenty years later. George thoroughly enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. Fishing trips and a good poker game were things he loved most. The funeral service will be held in Ocean View Chapel 4000 Imperial Street, Burnaby on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow in Ocean View Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fair Haven United Church Homes: Burnaby Lodge — 7557 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby, B.C. V5J 3V6
Gooy B. Lee…..Portsmouth, Virginia
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Paul B. Lee, 71, of Memphis, retired insurance underwriter for Mutual Insurance Co. of New York, died Friday at his home after a short illness. Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at Memorial Park Funeral Home with burial in Memorial Park. He was a veteran of Flying Tigers, 14th Air Force Air Service Group. Mr. Lee, the husband of L. Jean Lee, also leaves two sons, William Paul Lee O.D. and Paul Lee Jr. M.D., both of Memphis, and four grandchildren. The family requests that any memorials be sent to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Gwon J. Lee…..Chicago, Illinois
The Tale of a Pig’s Stomach & Other Celestial VictualsThere were six celebrants to begin with: Sgt Henry Lew, Cpl Hung-sheung Lee, Pfc’s Gwon J. Lee, Fong K. Eng, Fot Y. Moy, and Pvt Thomas W. Chan. I was the seventh and extra participant.It was the eve of Chinese New Year and an occasion not to be lightly passed. What if we were four thousand lis from home, strangers in a strange land, and without the proper locale and ingredients for a celebration? The advent of the Year of the Monkey still had to be observed. So thought, Sgt Lew, late of San Francisco Chinatown, and so the others concurred. One must have wine to toast the new dawn, and at least a facsimile of a celestial banquet. Women and songs may be passed over, but viands for the inner man were truly essential.The esteemable Mr Quan, chef at the Nanking chop suey nookery, was consulted[.] Immobile of feature and calm of demeanor, he viewed the culinary problem amidst a profusion of pots and pans and Chinese frying skillets. The Nanking catered to an American clientele, and only such foods as chop suey and chow mein were served—abominable vittles which the epicures properly hold in disdain. But how could one obtain the ingredients of a feast which would delight the palate of these brethren from afar? Some strategy was required, Mr. Quan observed. He knitted his brow in concentration. Sgt Lew was apprehensive.The chef’s mettle was challenged, for he must fashion some tasty victuals from very simple ingredients, since the traditional foods were unavailable. Birds’ nest and shark’s fins were but a nostalgic memory here, and there were no condiments and herbs for the preparation of steamed ducks and chickens. And there was likewise no mellow rice wine. It was a culinary situation which called for cleverness and skill adaptation. The artist in Mr. Quan rose to the occasion, for was not every cook worthy of his calling an artist at heart?So a passable dinner for six hungry celestial GI’s was promised. Sgt Lew departed to rally his five other celebrants together. The chef made this proviso—the dinner was not to be eaten till the Hour of the Serpent, at 9 PM., after the Nanking had closed its doors for the day. This was necessary to allow the chef time to do the cooking, and permit the diners to sample the dishes at their leisure and in a semblance of privacy.At five, out of curiosity, I made a reconnaissance of the kitchen. All I saw were three pots, tightly covered, with food being steamed from Chinese iron-cast cooking pans. Dried bean curd was being steamed in one pot and dired [sic] oysters in anohter [sic], and both were later to be concocted into a soup. From the third pot came a faintly familiar and pleasant aroma.“That,” the chef explained, “is a pig’s stomach. I was fortunate in getting a good one today, fresh and full of gastric juice.”Pig’s stomach! (chu tu) A food as common as salt, yet, properly prepared, an epicure’s delight. Properly steamed en casserole with soup and condiments, the resultant meat fulfilled the Chiness [sic] gourmand’s three tests of a food’s virtue: taste, tenderness and crispiness.The honorable Quan was speaking again: “I shall blend the pig’s stomach later with the bean curd and oysters. Then will be added water-chestnuts, slices of abalone, and fresh pork for additional taste. A dash of dried peppers will give the soup a special tang. It’s all a matter of blending the ingredients.”At 8 o’clock the celebrants had arrived, adequately equipped with alcoholic liquid to do the occasion justice. With commendable patience they sat and waited. A bottle was uncorked. Talk of old times and other Chinese New Years filled the little restaurant.And at the Hour of the Serpent the viands were brought forth, all steaming hot. All except the plate of boiled chicken, which must be cold and must be flavored with freshly prepared mustard and soy sauce. The skin of the chicken had the proper degree of yellow hue, signifying it was cooked just right, and the meat was snow-white.There was a dish of fried prawns, large shrimps cooked in catsup in their shells until they took on the color of ripe tomatoes. Each prawn reposed on the plate in the shape of a red crescent moon.There was barbecued spareribs—chopped into cubes and fried in deep fat and then poured over with gravy compounded of many condiments. Shredded green onions over the top gave the dish a touch of vivid color.Then there were small shrimps finely diced and fried with several varieties of vegetables. It was a dish notable for its crunching crispiness and its colors of pink and green and brown.There was a plate of crispy siu choy, the vegetable-that-looks-like-dragon-teeth. It wasn’t fried, as was the usual custom, but broiled to a crisp brown, them lightly fried with a portion of the pig’s stomach that was not used for soup. Siu Choy and chu tu—an unbeatable combination for crispiness and taste!All these and wine too. Pvt Chan rose and toasted the gathering. The viands gradually vanished, though the soup bowls were replenished more then [sic] once. Pfc Moy, his moon-face now rosy, likewise proposed a toast. The wine bottle emptied.When the Hour of the Rat was in its half-way mark, which is midnight, the good was all consumed. It was then that chef Quan came out form his kitchen nook. His eyes swept the empty dishes on the table, and his head nodded in satisfaction. Respectfully, the celebrants rose as one man and prevailed upon him to sip a toast to the coming year.The Year of the Monkey was thus ushered in. The celebrants, though far from home, we're happy for the moment. The party was over.....W. H.
….Now for a few eyetems about the 7 EM who went on a little detached service last week to Greenfield, O. to dismantle a P-47….Led by T/Sgt Andy Lee, the men included S/Sgt Kim W. Jung, Sgts Koonwah Lim, Donald Poy[,] George Gon, Cpls Gwon J. Lee and Jean H. Shing….Report was the boys did not mind the cold weather at all….no sir, not while they were so well treated by the Greenfield folks….after knocking off work each day Sgt Poy had a tough time pleasing all the gals because so many of ’em liked his company….they took one look at his boyish-looking face and dubbed him “cutie,”…migosh…now those local belles all want to write to him….….And for once Sgt Gon and Cpl Shing were glad to meet a couple of teachers….and maybe learn a few things…the latter were not only young but pretty too….the “pupils” were taken for a ride ’round the countryside….ah, such gor-gee-ous scenery!….T/Sgt Lee and S/Sgt Jung didn’t exactly sit around their off duty hours either…oh no….Lee forgot to bring along his O.D. pants, but did that stop him from going out?…he went out—in Sgt Koonwah Lim’s trousers!….and stayed out till 8 ayem of a Sunday morn…tsk, tsk….Sgt Lim was the only one who ever got enough sleep…always in bed at 9 PM..and was the best snorer of the group outside of Cpl Gwon J. Lee…..But “we certainly appreciate the kindness of the people of Greenfield,” said all the boys afterwards….
Gwon J. Lee, 51, of 8715 Clyde av., died yesterday in Veterans Research hospital. He operated a restaurant at 16352 E. 87th st. and was a former owner of the Guey Sam restaurant in Chinatown. Surviving are his widow, Guey Pow; three sons, Joseph, William, and Henry; and two daughters, Faye and Catherine. Services will be held at 2 p. m. Monday in the chapel at 2236 Wentworth av.
Henry Lee…..San Francisco, California
….and the newest “tonette” tooting torturer is Cpl Henry Lee….he also has an ocarina, omigosh……..
Lee, Henry—In this city, June 18, 1974. Henry Lee; beloved husband of Lai S. Lee; loving father of Kathy, Roland and Susan Lee; loving brother of Annie Quan, George and Harry Lee.Services Monday, June 24 at 10 a.m. at Martin & Brown, 1801 Van Ness Ave. at Clay. Visitation Sunday evening, 7:30 to 8:30 o’clock. Interment Mt. View Cemetery.
Herbert J. Lee…..Brooklyn, New York
Come Out Soon, Fellers!As 1943 draws to a close and 1944 comes over the horizon, a small number of our personnel are confined at the station hospital for various sicknesses. They include Sgt Sack Wan, S/Sgt Norman Lerenman (attached), Cpl H.L. Hachett (attached), Pvts Herbert J. Lee, Jan W. Wong, Harry Gin, S/Sgt Ton Lum and Cpl Benson K. Lee.
To these buddies goes our greetings for the New Year, and hearty wishes for their early recovery.
….Two squadron EM having their birthday on the 28th are Cpl Harding Wong and Pfc Herbert J. Lee…..
....Apropos of approaching Easter-tide comes this amazing bit of ignorance, which rates our lichee nut of the week....Cpl Richard E Gee was chatting with Pfc Herbert J Lee in their barracks nook about rabbit life, and in the course of their discussions, the question arose as to what rabbit “eggs” looked like!!...Both of these teenaged soldiers admitted they’ve never seen one before....Should we tell them?....now?....
….Pfc Herbert J. Lee is seriously contemplating taking an Armed Force Institute course on biology....Could it be that our revelation of his rabbit “eggs” the other week has stirred up an interest on the, ah, facts of life?....
Herbert Lee, 83, born in New York, NY passed away on February 24, 2007. He enlisted in the Army and served in the Air Corp-407th Flying Tigers from June 1, 1943 to May 31, 1946 and was a key member of the reunion committee. Herbert was a member of the Kiwanis Club for nearly 45 years where he served in various positions including: President, photographer and supporter of the Key Club for high school students. He shared time with youth as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America. Herbert was also a member of the Texas Lee Federal Credit Union where he served in numerous positions including President. He involved himself in the community while being a small business owner of grocery stores from 1954–1975 and continued his career in real estate from 1970–2007. He was a dedicated member of Triumph Christian Center for 14 years. After the loss of his wife Marybelle Lee he was actively involved with the L.I.F.T Program. Herbert enjoyed family, friends, food and fellowship. He was a very kind and generous man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. His memories will be cherished by his sisters: Jeanne Lee & Rita Wong; daughters: Deborah & Lori Lee; sons: Ronald Lee & wife Cynthia, Richard Foerster & wife Gigi, Steven Lee & wife Laurie, Timothy Foerster, Terry Foerster & wife Elizabeth, Herbert Lee, Jr. and wife Lorena, Gayland Lee & wife Beverly; grandchildren: Lauren, Austin, Margaret, Matthew, Rick, Justin, Jennifer, Joseph, Julie-Kaye, Casey, Christen, Mackenzie, Misty, April, Amy, Amber, Danyelle, Brandon, Breanne, Austin, Randall, Christopher, Macy and Aaron; great-grandchildren: Baylee, Tyler, Trace, Taylor, Kendal, Kayli, Nyah, Bailey, Tatum, Ryan, Kristen and Ethan. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Marybelle; granddaughter, Mandi Michelle Clarkson; brothers: Philip, Richard & Daniel Lee. Visitation: 5–9PM on Monday, February 26, 2007 at Brookside Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 1:00PM, on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at Triumph Christian Center, 24171 HWY 59 N., Northpark exit in Porter, TX. Interment will follow in the Mausoleum of Brookside Memorial Park. Donations can be made to: Houston Intercontinental Kiwanis Club; 1335 Wakefield; Houston, TX 77018.
Twenty-two-year-old “Hung Seung Lee” was aboard the steam ship Empress of Asia when it departed Hong Kong in early November 1940. While in China he stayed with his paper mother, Woo Shee, at “Har Tow Village, Toi Shan, China”. Lee arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on November 18, 1940. He traveled by train to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he boarded the ship Fort Amherst on December 16, 1940. Three days later he arrived at the port of New York. Lee’s final destination was New York Chinatown at 28 Mott Street where his paper father, Yee Lee, lived.
Lee’s World War II draft card is not available and the date of his enlistment is not known.
Lee was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lee and his hometown in 1945 on page 215.
Hung Sheung Lee (Victor Leong)…..Chicago, Illinois
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
The Tale of a Pig’s Stomach & Other Celestial Victuals
There were six celebrants to begin with: Sgt Henry Lew, Cpl Hung-sheung Lee, Pfc’s Gwon J. Lee, Fong K. Eng, Fot Y. Moy, and Pvt Thomas W. Chan. I was the seventh and extra participant.
It was the eve of Chinese New Year and an occasion not to be lightly passed. What if we were four thousand lis from home, strangers in a strange land, and without the proper locale and ingredients for a celebration? The advent of the Year of the Monkey still had to be observed. So thought, Sgt Lew, late of San Francisco Chinatown, and so the others concurred. One must have wine to toast the new dawn, and at least a facsimile of a celestial banquet. Women and songs may be passed over, but viands for the inner man were truly essential.
The esteemable Mr Quan, chef at the Nanking chop suey nookery, was consulted[.] Immobile of feature and calm of demeanor, he viewed the culinary problem amidst a profusion of pots and pans and Chinese frying skillets. The Nanking catered to an American clientele, and only such foods as chop suey and chow mein were served—abominable vittles which the epicures properly hold in disdain. But how could one obtain the ingredients of a feast which would delight the palate of these brethren from afar? Some strategy was required, Mr. Quan observed. He knitted his brow in concentration. Sgt Lew was apprehensive.
The chef’s mettle was challenged, for he must fashion some tasty victuals from very simple ingredients, since the traditional foods were unavailable. Birds’ nest and shark’s fins were but a nostalgic memory here, and there were no condiments and herbs for the preparation of steamed ducks and chickens. And there was likewise no mellow rice wine. It was a culinary situation which called for cleverness and skill adaptation. The artist in Mr. Quan rose to the occasion, for was not every cook worthy of his calling an artist at heart?
So a passable dinner for six hungry celestial GI’s was promised. Sgt Lew departed to rally his five other celebrants together. The chef made this proviso—the dinner was not to be eaten till the Hour of the Serpent, at 9 PM., after the Nanking had closed its doors for the day. This was necessary to allow the chef time to do the cooking, and permit the diners to sample the dishes at their leisure and in a semblance of privacy.
At five, out of curiosity, I made a reconnaissance of the kitchen. All I saw were three pots, tightly covered, with food being steamed from Chinese iron-cast cooking pans. Dried bean curd was being steamed in one pot and dired [sic] oysters in anohter [sic], and both were later to be concocted into a soup. From the third pot came a faintly familiar and pleasant aroma.
“That,” the chef explained, “is a pig’s stomach. I was fortunate in getting a good one today, fresh and full of gastric juice.”
Pig’s stomach! (chu tu) A food as common as salt, yet, properly prepared, an epicure’s delight. Properly steamed en casserole with soup and condiments, the resultant meat fulfilled the Chiness [sic] gourmand’s three tests of a food’s virtue: taste, tenderness and crispiness.
The honorable Quan was speaking again: “I shall blend the pig’s stomach later with the bean curd and oysters. Then will be added water-chestnuts, slices of abalone, and fresh pork for additional taste. A dash of dried peppers will give the soup a special tang. It’s all a matter of blending the ingredients.”
At 8 o’clock the celebrants had arrived, adequately equipped with alcoholic liquid to do the occasion justice. With commendable patience they sat and waited. A bottle was uncorked. Talk of old times and other Chinese New Years filled the little restaurant.
And at the Hour of the Serpent the viands were brought forth, all steaming hot. All except the plate of boiled chicken, which must be cold and must be flavored with freshly prepared mustard and soy sauce. The skin of the chicken had the proper degree of yellow hue, signifying it was cooked just right, and the meat was snow-white.
There was a dish of fried prawns, large shrimps cooked in catsup in their shells until they took on the color of ripe tomatoes. Each prawn reposed on the plate in the shape of a red crescent moon.
There was barbecued spareribs—chopped into cubes and fried in deep fat and then poured over with gravy compounded of many condiments. Shredded green onions over the top gave the dish a touch of vivid color.
Then there were small shrimps finely diced and fried with several varieties of vegetables. It was a dish notable for its crunching crispiness and its colors of pink and green and brown.
There was a plate of crispy siu choy, the vegetable-that-looks-like-dragon-teeth. It wasn’t fried, as was the usual custom, but broiled to a crisp brown, them lightly fried with a portion of the pig’s stomach that was not used for soup. Siu Choy and chu tu—an unbeatable combination for crispiness and taste!
All these and wine too. Pvt Chan rose and toasted the gathering. The viands gradually vanished, though the soup bowls were replenished more then [sic] once. Pfc Moy, his moon-face now rosy, likewise proposed a toast. The wine bottle emptied.
When the Hour of the Rat was in its half-way mark, which is midnight, the good was all consumed. It was then that chef Quan came out form his kitchen nook. His eyes swept the empty dishes on the table, and his head nodded in satisfaction. Respectfully, the celebrants rose as one man and prevailed upon him to sip a toast to the coming year.
The Year of the Monkey was thus ushered in. The celebrants, though far from home, we're happy for the moment. The party was over.
....W. H. [William Hoy]
Apparently Lee was still serving when he married King Suey Moy in Canton, China on February 23, 1946. The place and date are from her naturalization petition. They were aboard the ship General William H. Gordon when it departed Hong Kong on September 19, 1948. They arrived at San Francisco on October 5, 1948. His Chicago address was 156 West Cermak Road. Handwriting on the passenger said Lee was a U.S. Citizen on April 11, 1944. Also noted was “NY 172/874”, which I believe, referred to his Chinese Exclusion Act case file in New York.
The 1950 census recorded “Hung Shung Lee”, his wife, “Dorothy Moy Lee”, and son, “Kao Cung Lee”, in Chicago at 236 West 22nd Place. Lee’s occupation was not recorded. He operated the Lotus Restaurant.
Lee’s wife was naturalized on January 15, 1952. Their Chicago address was 236 West 22nd Place. The petition said her husband was born on April 15, 1920 at “Toishan, Kwangtung, China”. The couple had a second marriage in Chicago on February 21, 1953.
John J. Lee (Johnny O’Young)…..Isleton, California
...Talk about happy smiling faces, you should see the countenances of those lucky boys who returned this week from furlough...How about that, Sgts Andrew Lee, Wm Quan, Cpls Fong Lee, Wilfred Eng, Tonley Ju, Mon K. Fong, Benson Lee, Pfc’s Din Lew, Homer Eng, Roland Gee, Howe Jay, Chin Ying, Pvts John J. Lee and Henry Wong (30)?.........
....Now we find Sgt Tommy Yee beating a strategic retreat from the theatre of operation[.] Seems he thinks the town’s too crowded with the 407th….so he makes his way to Pittsburgh...Maybe that’s why Sgt Gock K. Wong and Cpl John J. Lee went to Canada...they do say the people there are very very, hospitable....and the Chinese food is of the best...priced reasonably, too.
John Man/Mon Lee was born on October 24, 1914 in Walnut Grove, California according to his World War II draft card. His Social Security application said his mother was Lai K. Shee.
On June 5, 1917 Lee’s father, Chew Tay Lee, signed his World War I draft card. He was a farmer born in “Hung Tau, Canton, China”.
Lee has not been found in the 1920 and 1930 United States censuses.
Lee’s obituary said “he left for his ancestral country to serve from 1933 to 1942 as an Aeronautical Engineer in China’s first military defense aircraft factory ...”
On March 17, 1944 Lee signed his draft card. His address was Walnut Grove but he worked at the First aircraft Factory in Kunming, Yunnan, China.
At some point he was assigned to the 407th Air Service Squadron.
Lee was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lee and his hometown in 1945 on page 215.
John M. Lee…..Kunming, China
In the book he was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
In 1943 Lee married May Wan Szeto. Four years later she was aboard the steam ship Admiral C. F. Hughes when it departed Shanghai on March 11, 1947. Before Szeto departed, she stayed with Yao Szeto at “#19 Tai Sun Tung Rd. Canton, China”. She arrived at San Francisco on April 1, 1947. Her destination was Walnut Grove to join her husband.
The 1950 census counted Lee, his wife, daughters, Jeanne (born in China) and Jennifer, his parents and brother, Howard, in Georgiana, California. Lee was a self-employed farmer.
Lee passed away on February 14, 1994 in Berkeley, California. The same obituary appeared in the Oakland Tribune and San Francisco Chronicle on February 18, 1994.
Lee, John MonIn Berkeley, February 14, 1994. Dearly beloved husband of 51 years to May-Wan Szeto Lee of Berkeley. Loving father of Jeanne Yeh of Berkeley, Jannifer Lee of Berkeley, Katherine Leong of Walnut Creek, Stephanie Wong of Kensington, Nancy Chow of Glendale, and Richard John Lee of Sunnyvale. Father-in-law of Jason Yeh, Dennis Leong, Lawrence Wong and Quimby Chow. Dearest grandfather of Elizabeth and Steven Leong, Patrick Wong and Rachel Chow. Survived by brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Born on October 24, 1914 in Courtland, California. Mr. Lee left for his ancestral country to serve from 1933 to 1942 as an Aeronautical Engineer in China’s first military defense aircraft factory, for which he was awarded the Golden Sword of Honor for Distinguished Service by General Chiang Kai-Shek. During WWII, he served his country under General Claire Chennault’s Flying Tigers 407th Air Service Squadron. During this time, he met his wife, May-Wan, a teacher in Macau’s Yuet-Shen High School and principal of the Grammar School. They were married in 1943 in the beautiful province of Kwang-lien. He was honorably discharged in 1946 with the Rank of Sergeant. They returned to Walnut Grove, California where he was a rancher until his retirement in 1979, at which time, he moved to Berkeley, California. He hobbied in real estate and gardening until his death. He was a member of The Flying Tigers 14th Air Force Association and Chinese Cumberland Presbyterian Church of San Francisco. Mr. Lee, a gentleman of integrity, is known for his honesty, kindness, willingness to help others and witty sense of humor. Above all, he was most proud of his children and all their achievements. He will be missed dearly. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend memorial services at Sunset View Mortuary Chapel, 101 Colusa Avenue, El Cerrito, California on Tuesday, February 22, 1994 at 1:00 PM. Interment to follow at Sunset View Cemetery.
Joseph Kar Lee was born on February 1, 1918 in “Hoy San, China” according to his World War II draft card. An issue of the squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, said he arrived at New York in February 1939. The passenger list said his birthplace was “Sunning, China” where his mother, Chu Shee, lived.
In January 1939 “Doo Gar Lee” traveled from Hong Kong to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He arrived in February. Lee traveled by train to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he boarded the ship Belle Isle on February 13, 1939. He arrived at the port of New York on February 15, 1939. According to notes on the passenger list, Lee was investigated and admitted on July 31, 1939. His final destination was to his father, Lun Lee, at 53 Park Row in New York Chinatown.
The 1940 United States census counted “Doo Kar Lee” at 1950 Washington Avenue in the Bronx. Lee, unemployed, was one of seven Chinese men who resided there. Five of them worked at a restaurant.
On October 16, 1940 “Joseph Kar Lee” signed his draft card. His address was the same. He worked at the Deluxe Tea Garden at 473 East Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. Lee’s description was five feet eight inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
I believe Lee enlisted on April 24, 1943.
Lee was not listed on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lee and his hometown in 1945 on page 215.
Joseph K. Lee…..Bronx, New York
In the book he was identified as “Joseph H. Lee” in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
EM’s Visit Sheffield Plant.This week 8 GI’s spent an enjoyable and informative 3 hours touring nearby Sheffield Corporation plant, now manufacturing precision and gauge instruments for war uses. They were interested in the instruments because all 8 were from the machine shop unit of the engineering section. They were Sgt Joseph K. Lee, Cpl George Gon, Pfc, Howard Quan, Pfc Harry King, Pfc Gordon Wong, Pvt On Y. Yee, Pvt Henry Hsiang, and Pfc Ying Y. [sic] Chin.The GI’s not only toured the plant under a special guide, but also had their pictures taken at every stop they made. They were interested in the instruments, but the photographer was interested in them.
Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
Men of the 407th—THREE SCHOOL BOYS FROM PUI CHINGThey are buddies in the same outfit now and know each other pretty well. But not so long ago when the three were in the same school together in Canton they didn’t know each other at all. Which is something that happens not infrequently in China. But Sgt Joseph Lee, Pvt Chris Y. Chen and Cpl Thomas W. Lee all have their interesting stories to tell about that.
The school these three all attended was the famed Pui Ching residence middle school in the city of Canton. It was a large institution, divided into sections, which accounted for the fact that hundreds of students attending the same school never meet each other. Today it is operating in a neighboring province, for the Japanese invaders have taken possession of Canton.
… Sgt Joseph Lee was at Pui Ching 6 years when he graduated in the summer of 1937. He returned to visit his folks in a village near Canton. Then on a day in September he went up to Canton to clear up his residence fee with the school. But the day he reached the city was the day the Japanese airmen came over.
Lee never paid his account, but returned to his village immediately. There, while the people waited for the Japanese invaders to come, he helped by teaching the village children. He received no salary, but the villagers paid him a token fee of ten dollars a month.
A year later he left home with a cousin in order to come to the U. S., where relatives had sent for them. In February, 1939 he arrived in New York, where he went to American school and worked until he joined the army last year. Meantime, his village had twice been taken by the Japanese, and twice recovered by regular native soldiers and guerillas. …
—W. H.
....Add monkey-shines in barracks #2: Sgt Joseph K Lee, Cpl Wellie Chinn [sic] and Pvt Wong K Yuey found themselves short-sheeted on going to bed....
....Pfc York Q Luke is velly unhappy over his recent short haircut...[on] account he can’t fashion that cute lil wave over his forehead....now Pvt Yee T Yook has a clear field in vieing [sic] for the best-groomed cranium....Meanwhile Sgt Joseph K Lee likes his spring haircut, short tho it is....
An American Consular Service marriage certificate said Lee married Hannah Wong in “Peiping, China” on February 19, 1947. She returned to Canton and stayed with her sister, Pei Yee Wong, at #24 Yen Lok Lay. Hannah was aboard the ship General A.W. Brewster when it departed Taku, China on March 17, 1947. The ship arrived at Seattle, Washington on April 5, 1947. Hannah’s final destination was to Lee at 36 Henry Street in New York.
The 1950 census said Lee, his wife, three-year-old daughter, Connie, and one-year-old son, Jones, lived at 48–50 Mulberry Street in New York Chinatown. He was the secretary at a noodle factory.
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