KERN LEE
Kern Lee aka Kern Lee Owyang was born on June 28, 1924 in “Chung Shan, China” according to his World War II draft card.
Fourteen-year-old Lee was aboard the steam ship President Coolidge when it departed Hong Kong on October 21, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Chin Shee, at “Tai Ling, Chungshan, Kwangtung, China”. Lee arrived at San Francisco, California on November 9, 1938 and admitted on January 4, 1939. His final destination was to his father, Yew Lee, at Walnut Grove, California.
The 1940 United States census counted Lee in Oakland, California at 255 Sixth Street. He was unemployed.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His Oakland address was 439 9th Street which was crossed out on April 28, 1943. His new address was 291 Birch Road, Newark, California. Lee’s description was five feet five inches, 145 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Kern Lee aka Kern Lee Owyang was born on June 28, 1924 in “Chung Shan, China” according to his World War II draft card.
Fourteen-year-old Lee was aboard the steam ship President Coolidge when it departed Hong Kong on October 21, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Chin Shee, at “Tai Ling, Chungshan, Kwangtung, China”. Lee arrived at San Francisco, California on November 9, 1938 and admitted on January 4, 1939. His final destination was to his father, Yew Lee, at Walnut Grove, California.
The 1940 United States census counted Lee in Oakland, California at 255 Sixth Street. He was unemployed.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His Oakland address was 439 9th Street which was crossed out on April 28, 1943. His new address was 291 Birch Road, Newark, California. Lee’s description was five feet five inches, 145 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Lee’s naturalization petition said he enlisted on May 10, 1943.
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.
Kern Lee (Kern L. Owyang)…..Oakland, CaliforniaIn the book Lee was mentioned on pages viii, 6, 48, 61, and 71. He was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said Corporal Lee was promoted to Sergeant.
Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
...Kern Lee is a fortune teller ’n told Elwood Lew some things about his future...On January 14, 1946 Technical Sergeant Lee reenlisted for one year. His naturalization petition said he was discharged on April 17, 1947. Lee is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. As Kern Owyang, he was mentioned in Americans First: Chinese Americans and the Second World War (2005).
The marriage certificate, issued by the Foreign Service of the United States, said Lee married Nancy Ching (Ching Pao-chu) in Shanghai on April 26, 1947. She was aboard the ship General M.C. Miegs when it departed Shanghai on June 17, 1947. She arrived at San Francisco on July 3, 1947. Her final destination was 126 Sixth Street in Oakland. On November 21, 1949, Nancy became a naturalized citizen.
The 1950 census said Lee, his wife, and two-year-old daughter, Joan, lived with his parents in Oakland at 126 Sixth Street. Lee was an aircraft mechanic at the Naval Air Station. His father operated a carpenter shop and mother worked at a fruit cannery.
The 1953 Oakland city directory listed Lee at 2593 35th Avenue.
Lee continued to work at the Assembly Division of the U.S. Naval Air Station at Alameda, California.
When Lee was naturalized, on February 28, 1961, he changed his name to Kern Lee Owyang. His address was 1722 Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland. Lee had three children: Joan, Ted and Joyce. He was an aircraft metalsmith. At some point Lee changed jobs.
In 1973 Owyang was the general contractor on the Silver Dragon Restaurant building.
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Owyang was listed in a 1980 issue of Constructor which was published by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Kern L. Owyang (GSA)Additional information about Lee/Owyang has not been found.
300 Sixth St., Oakland, CA 94607
KWONG A. LEE
Kwong Art Lee was born on June 21, 1924 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card.
Eleven-year-old Lee was aboard the steam ship President Hoover when it departed Hong Kong on April 18, 1936. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Hom Shee, at “Mar Mee Woo, Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”. Lee arrived at San Francisco, California on May 6, 1936 and admitted on July 17, 1936. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 36231/010-21. Lee’s final destination was to his father, Yuen Lee, at 857 Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
Lee has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 755 Clay Street. He was described as five feet two inches, 103 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lee enlisted on February 6, 1943.
During 1943 Lee wrote several letters to Wah Lee who was stationed in Amarillo, Texas. His letters are part of the Wah Lee, Army Air Corps collection at the Asian American Comparative Collection.
Company B 58th Battalion
Camp Wolters, Texas
859 Signal Service Company
State Fair Ground
Springfield, Illinois
June 7, June 19, July 11, July 13
407th Air Service Squadron
Patterson Field
Fairfield, Ohio
October 12, November 23, December 5
Even Lee’s father, Lee Yuen, who moved to Wisconsin, wrote to Wah Lee whom he addressed as “Younger Brother”. Evidently, Wah Lee was Kwong A. Lee’s uncle.
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.
Kwong A. Lee…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn March 1944, Lee was hospitalized due to tonsillitis. A tonsillectomy was performed.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 20, July 15, 1944, said
...Herewith once more is our usual dish of il-literary beansprouts...It’s a far cry from Patterson Fld, Ohio to India, but chop suey is still chop suey wherever the locale..so here goes nothing...The date of Lee’s discharge is not known. He is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
...Meanwhile, Jimmy G Choy, Jan Wong, Kwong Lee ’n company have been brewing congee almost nitely...& one nite they even got hold of a fresh meat bone to throw into the pot...They sho’ know how to forage, is all we can say...
The 1950 census counted Lee in New York Chinatown at 18 Doyers Street. The occupation column was blank.
“Arthur Kwong Lee” passed away on February 27, 2019, at Rowland Heights, California.
MEE L. LEE
Mee Lun Lee was born on October 15, 1916 in Sunning, China. The birth date was on his World War II draft card. The birthplace was recorded on a passenger list.
Fifteen-year-old Lee was aboard the steam ship President Jefferson when it departed Hong Kong on February 17, 1931. The passenger list said he had been with his wife, Yee Shee, at “Ming Fung, Sunning, China”. Lee arrived at Seattle, Washington on March 7, 1931 and admitted on March 20, 1931. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file numbers were 7031/203 (Seattle) and 2008/1540 (Chicago). Lee’s final destination was to his father, Bad Gem Lee, at the Wing Cheung Gin Company, 238 West 22nd Street in Chicago, Illinois.
Lee has not been found in the 1940 United Staes census.
On October 16, 1940 Lee signed his draft card. His Chicago address was 3949 Lawrence Avenue. He was a partner in a restaurant. Lee’s description was five feet seven inches, 140 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Lee was in Portland, Oregon when he enlisted on April 15, 1943.
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.
Mee L. Lee (Benny Lee)…..Portland, OregonIn the book he was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
On November 20, 1943 Lee filed a naturalization application. He was naturalized on January 14, 1944.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
4 EM Become American Citizens.After the war Lee moved to California.
Until last week Sgt Hing B. Lo, Cpl Paoling Deng, Pfc’s Mee Lun Lee and Henry G. Wong (13) were citizens of the Republic of China, though all of them have been in the U. S. Army for many months, one as long as 1 and a half years.
But last Friday the picture changed for this quartet of young Cantonese. In the courtroom of Federal District Judge Robert R. Nevin, in Dayton, these EM’s took their oaths of naturalization and became full-fledged U. S. Citizens. Looking at these new citizens, snappy in their uniforms of the U. S. Army, Judge Nevin decided it was not necessary to give these men his usual talk on the obligations of Citizenship on such an occasion. For these men were already assuming the obligation of citizenship of their newly adopted country.
Of the 4 men, Cpl Deng was the only one who also took this opportunity to change his Chinese name from Paoling into that of Bert. Cpl Deng hails from the Sun Hing district of Kwongtung province, and has been in the service since June, 1943.
Sgt Hing Lo, whose ancestral hearth is the Sam Yup district, although he was born in Hong Kong, has also been in the Army since June 1943.
Pfc’s Mee L. Lee and Henry G. Wong are natives of Toyshan district, which furnish most of the Cantonese immigrants to this country. Lee was inducted in April 1943, and Wong in June of the same year.
In 1948 Lee married Sam Door Chan in China. They were aboard Philippine Air Lines, flight 301, when it departed Hong Kong on October 20, 1948. They arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii on October 21, 1948. Their final destination was Lee’s residence at 1880 Haight Street in San Francisco.
The 1950 census counted “Benny Lee” and his wife in San Francisco at 86 Valparaiso Street. He was a restaurant cook.
Lee had three children: James, Althea and Nancy.
Lee’s wife passed away in 1991. Althea passed away on March 15, 1996. Lee passed away in 1998. He was laid to rest at the Sierra Hills Memorial Park.
PAUL C. LEE
Paul C. Lee was born in 1920 at China according to his World War II enlistment record. At San Francisco, California he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 24, 1942.
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.
Paul C. Lee…..San Francisco, CaliforniaWhile on duty he was hospitalized in September 1944 (Ancestry.com record).
After the war Lee returned to California. He has not been found in the 1950 census.
In the Shadow of the Tiger said Lee and others attended the dedication of a monument at Taishan, China in 1991.
Additional information about Lee has not been found.
SOON H. LEE
Soon Hing Lee was born on April 7, 1923 in “Toy Shan, Canton, China” according to his World War II draft card. The date and place of his immigration is not yet known.
The 1940 United States census counted “Hing Soon Lee”, a servant, in Piedmont, California . In 1935 he lived at Walnut Grove, California. He earned $240 in 1939.
Lee, an honor student, graduated from Oakland Technical High School on June 17, 1943.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His Oakland, California address was 530 Franklin Street. The student’s description was five feet six inches, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lee enlisted on July 1, 1943.
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.
Soon H. Lee…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said Private Lee was promoted to Private First Class.
Lee was discharged on January 11, 1946. The address on his draft card was updated to 777 1/2 Commercial Street in San Francisco. Lee was pictured in The Memoir 1947 (see Group 51) which was published by the Chick Char Club, San Francisco, California.
Lee studied architecture at the University of California, Berkeley. On June 16, 1950, Lee received his Bachelor of Arts degree.
On May 31, 1951 Yee Tung Chin, a Canadian, was aboard British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, flight BP 401/22, when it departed Vancouver, Canada bound for San Francisco. She and Lee married in 1951. When Yee visited her father at Vancouver in 1952, her address was 602 Van Buren Avenue in Oakland. Sometime later she adopted the name Mildred.
Lee passed away on November 15, 2006. His obituary appeared in the Oakland Tribune, November 23, 2006.
Soon Hing Lee was born in Guangdong, China, on April 7, 1923, and passed away peacefully in Oakland on November 15, 2006. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mildred; sons, Jamieson and Selwyn; daughter, Joanne; son-in-law, Terry Low, and grandchildren, Nicholas and Kristin.Lee was laid to rest at the Chapel of the Chimes Columbarium and Mausoleum.
Coming to America as a young boy not knowing a word of English, he successfully graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and practiced as an award winning architect for nearly 50 years. His schooling was interrupted by a tour of duty with the Flying Tigers during WWII.
Living a healthy lifestyle, traveling, and spending time with his family dominated his life in retirement.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 26th, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with funeral services on Monday, November 27th, at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the following: American Heart Association, 1710 Gilbreth Rd., Burlingame, CA 94010; Chinese American Citizen Alliance, Oakland Lodge, 303 8th St., Oakland, CA 94607; or Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3956, 303 8th St., Oakland, CA 94607.
THOMAS W. LEE
Thomas W. Lee was born on July 7, 1923 in “Kwongtong, China” according to his World War II draft card. He left China in late 1937 to join his father in San Diego, California.
The 1940 United States census counted Lee at San Francisco at 143 Waverly Place. He shared the apartment with Bennie Wong who was a cook at a railroad camp.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 619 Pacific Street. He was employed at the Western Pipe Steel Co. shipyard. Lee’s description was five feet five inches, 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lee enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 22, 1942.
Lee was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow pf the Tiger listed Lee and his hometown in 1945 on page 215.
Thomas W. Lee…..San Francisco, CaliforniaThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
Basketball Game.Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
Playing their 5th game this season, the 407th casaba team met the 912th Engrs Squadron Thursday in the field gymnasium. Considered the number one basketball tossers in Patterson Fld, the 912th defeated the 407th aggregation by a score of 40-21.
So far, in all the games played, the 407th team, managed by Sgt Woody Chan, has met up with keen and stiff competition, and this last game was no exception. In the 5th game just played the starting line-up consisted of Sgt William “Murphy” Quan (captain), Pfc Albert Fong, Pvt Ben Louie, Pvt Henry Wong (13), and Pvt Edward Chew. Other players include Cpl Wing H. Fong, Pfc John S. Leong, Pfc Howard Quan, Pvt Peter Gee, Pvt Edwin Chu, Sgt Woodrow Chan, Cpl Thomas Lee, Cpl Samuel Yee, Sgt Charles Lum, and Pfc Howard Loo.
Men of the 407th—After the war Lee returned to California.
THREE SCHOOL BOYS FROM PUI CHING
They 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.
… Cpl Thomas Lee was also at Pui Ching when the Japs came to Canton. But he didn’t return to his village immediately. Instead, for a month he joined the Chinese Boy Scouts and helped with rescue and first aid work throughout the much-bombed city. When he did return to his folks in the village he continued helping, for by that time the Japanese were trying to take the large district of Toyshan where his family lived.
Late in ’37 Lee left China to join his father in San Diego, California, arriving two months later.
Today, Lee’s mother and sister are still living in the Toyshan village, which has also been twice occupied by the Japs and twice retaken. His elder brother is a pilot in the Chinese Air Force, somewhere near Chungking when last heard of.
—W. H.
In the 1950 census there was a Thomas W. Lee employed at the Naval Air Missile Test Center in Point Mugu, California. However his birth year was estimated to be 1921 which doesn’t match the draft card year 1923.
At some point Lee married a woman with the family name Hom which was on the birth certificates of their children Lisa and Lawrence. (The California Birth Index, at Ancestry.com, did not have their mother’s first name.) The two children are also linked to Lee at Spokeo.
The status of Lee is not known.
TOY F. LEE
Toy Fat Lee was born on July 20, 1922 in Ho-Kung, China according to his World War II draft card. Lee’s obituary said that date was based on the Chinese lunar calendar. The Chinese-American Calendar for the 102 Chinese Years Commencing January 24, 1849, and Ending February 5, 1951 was used by immigration officials to find the corresponding Gregorian date. The chart below for 1922 is Chinese Republic 11th Year. Column 7 and number 20 in black correspond to September 11 in red. September 11, 1922 is the birth date on his death certificate and at the Social Security Death Index.
Passenger lists recorded his birthplace as “Hoiping, China”. Fat was his generation name. Lee changed his “middle name” Fat to Ford.
Ten-year-old Lee, his father, Foo Lee, and brother, On Fat Lee, were aboard the steam ship President Jefferson when it departed Hong Kong on October 28, 1932. They had been with Lee’s mother, Cheung Shee, at “Too Kong, Hoiping, Kwangtung, China.” The trio arrived at Seattle, Washington on November 15, 1932. Lee’s father was admitted upon arrival. Three days later Lee and his brother joined their father. Lee’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/4914. Their destination was Yee Chong at 124 5th Street in Seattle.
On June 20, 1936 Lee, his father, and two brothers departed from Seattle bound for China. They stayed with Lee’s mother at “Don Wo Lee, Hoiping, China”.
All four were aboard the steam ship Empress of Japan when it departed Hong Kong on November 11, 1938. They arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on November 29, 1938 then transferred to the ship Princess Marguerite which took them to Seattle where they were admitted that day. Their destination was to Chin Yook King, a friend, at 124 5th Street in Seattle.
The 1940 United States census counted “Toy Lee”, his father, a laundryman, and brothers in Columbus, Ohio at 3389 North High Street.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His Columbus address was 3133 North High Street. He was employed at the Curtiss-Wright company. Lee’s description was five feet eight inches, 114 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lee enlisted on September 14, 1943. The Columbus Dispatch, October 28, 1943, said Lee was assigned to Camp Lee, Virginia.
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.
Toy F. Lee…..Columbus, OhioIn the book he was mentioned on pages v, viii, 21, 23, 24, 32, 41, 54, 61, 70, 71, 72 and 73. Lee also appeared in a photograph on page 38 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
World War II hospital records, at Ancestry.com, said Lee was hospitalized three times: January 1944 (unspecified), November 1944 (fever), and August 1945 (influenza).
After the war Lee returned to Columbus.
Lee traveled to China and married “Boware Jung”. 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. Lee’s address was 3389 North High Street in Columbus.
The 1950 census said Lee, his wife, Bowah, son, Doane, and brother, Onn, resided in Columbus, Ohio. Lee’s occupation was student and parts inspector at a combustion engine manufacturer.
The Columbus Dispatch, December 18, 1951, said Ohio State University degrees would be awarded on December 20. Lee was to receive a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
The Columbus Dispatch, September 15, 1953, said Lee, of the Surface Combustion Corp., was vice chairman of the Machine Design discussion committee.
The Daily Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma), September 16, 1966, said Lee was approved for a professional engineer license.
Lee passed away on September 29, 2011. His obituary appeared in the Columbus Dispatch, October 5, 2011.
Toy F. Lee, of Columbus, Ohio, passed into God’s loving hands the evening of Thursday, September 29, 2011 from complications of colon cancer at the age of 89. Born September 11, 1922 (or July 20, 1922 in the Chinese lunar calendar) in Guangdong Province, China, he proudly served during World War II with the U.S. Army in the 407th Air Service Squadron, an all Chinese American unit. Being a true Buckeye, Toy graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He retired in 1989 from the Defense Construction Supply Center. An avid photographer and news buff, Toy also enjoyed reading about American culture and the Chinese Diaspora and was active in the local Chinese American community. Strong in faith and work ethic, always appreciative, often witty, and with a persistent sweet tooth, Toy will be deeply missed by the many who knew and loved him. Toy was a family man, honored by his sons and grandchildren, and dearly loved his wife Bowah of 73 years. He is survived by his beloved wife; his three sons Doane Lee, Buil Lee (Mei-Lung), and Ginn Lee (Tamsan); his grandchildren Wayne Lee, Ann Lei (Tim), Ahn Wei Lee, and Young Lee; his great-grandson John Lei; his brother Onn Lee (Katherine); his nephews Jack Lee, Ken Lee (May), Huan Lee (Maria), and Park Lee (Susan); his nieces Eva Stamper (Jonathan), and Betty Park (John). Family will receive friends starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 8, 2011 at Schoedinger Worthington Chapel, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, Ohio (just South of I-270). A funeral service will immediately follow the calling hours at 10 a.m. Rev. Nicholas Scarpuzzi officiating. Interment in Kingwood Memorial Park, 8230 Columbus Pike, Lewis Center, Ohio. Contributions in Toy’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society.Lee was laid to rest at Kingwood Memorial Park.
WARREN LEE
Warren Lee was born on July 4, 1921 in Bakersfield, California according to his World War II draft card, veteran’s file and Social Security Death Index.
The 1930 United States census counted Lee as the fifth of eight siblings. Their parents were Frank, vegetable peddler, and Jessie, cafe waitress. They were Bakersfield residents at 2204 Q Street.
Lee graduated in 1939 from Kern County Union High School.
The 1940 census said the Lee family was still at 2204 Q Street in Bakersfield. His father was a widower. Lee was a grocery store clerk.
The Bakersfield Californian, February 5, 1942, said Lee was on the Chinese Bowlers for Bakersfield team.
On February 16, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His address was unchanged. Lee was a student at Bakersfield Junior College. His description was five feet eight inches, 150 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lee enlisted at Los Angeles on August 21, 1942.
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.
Warren Lee…..Bakersfield, CaliforniaIn the book Lee was mentioned on pages viii and 10.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 10, February 25, 1944, said
3 New EM Join 407th.Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
This week three more new men joined the squadron. All of them transferred here from the 555th Service Squadron at Florida. They are:
Sgt Warren Lee of Bakersfield, Calif. A trained prop man, Lee has been in the Army seventeen months.
...Warren Lee is enjoying some sky races these days...Lee was discharged on January 11, 1946. He returned to Bakersfield. Around 1948, Lee married Hope Chinn.
The 1949 Bakersfield city directory listed Lee and his wife at 1227 16th Street.
According to the 1950 census Lee, his wife and one-year-old daughter, Brenda, lived with his in-laws, Albert and Rose Chinn, at 1227 16th Street in Bakersfield. Lee was meat cutter at a grocery store.
Lee passed away on September 19, 2006. His obituary appeared in the Bakersfield Californian, September 21, 2006.
Warren K. LeeLee was laid to rest at Union Cemetery.
Born in Bakersfield on July 4, 1921 and left peacefully on September 19, 2006. He will be dearly missed by Hope, his beloved wife of 48 [sic] years. He is survived by his son, Brian and daughter-in-law, Deb; and 4 grandchildren, Jonathon, Daniel, Katharin, and Christina of Freemont, California. He is also survived by his daughter, Sandee and son-in-law, Dan Ortiz of Elk Grove, CA. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Brenda. He is also survived by his sisters, Kay and Marge and his brother, Tommy and their respective families, and many nieces and nephews. He proudly served in World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was stationed throughout China during the war. In the military, he supervised over 18 air corps mechanics and completed his service with the military rank of Technical Sergeant. Mr. Lee owned and operated Vista Village Market with his brother, Al, in East Bakersfield for over 27 years. He was a butcher by trade and was well known by his customers for his friendliness and excellent cuts of meat. He was an avid bowler in his younger years and enjoyed collecting coins. Family and friends are invited to attend Warren K. Lee’s Celebration of Life, at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 22, 2006, at the Mission Family Mortuary, 531 California Ave., in Bakersfield. For more information call Ray Mish at Mission Family Mortuary. Warren K. Lee July 4, 1921 – Sept. 19, 2006 Mission Family Mortuary
WING J. LEE
Wing Jone Lee was born on November 11, 1922 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. His naturalization petition said his birthplace was “Wing On Village, Kan Hang, Toishan, China”. The Social Security Death Index had the birth date December 12, 1922.
Seventeen-year-old Lee was aboard the steam ship President Cleveland when it departed Hong Kong on April 10, 1940. The passenger list said he had been with his wife, Wong Shee, at “Wing On, Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”. Lee arrived at San Francisco on May 1, 1940 and admitted on May 28, 1940. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 39984/8-9. Lee’s destination was to his brother, Chuen Wing Lee, at 857 Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 1255 McAllister Street. Lee was described as five feet six inches, 110 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
On June 30, 1942 Lee signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 1255 McAllister Street. Lee was described as five feet six inches, 110 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lee enlisted on July 6, 1943.
Lee was not in Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lee and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Wing J. Lee…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he was in the photograph on page 53 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said Private Lee was promoted to Private First Class.
Lee was discharged on January 8, 1946 according to his naturalization petition. He returned to San Francisco.
Lee’s naturalization petition said he married Wong May Jan (born Wong Gee Lan) on September 14, 1946 at “Toishan City, China”.
Lee has not been found in the 1950 United States census.
On February 8, 1953 Lee was aboard the steam ship President Wilson when it departed Hong Kong. Before leaving he visited his wife. Lee arrived at San Francisco on February 26, 1953. His address was 857 Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
Lee became a naturalized citizen on May 9, 1967. His address was 15 Tracy Place in San Francisco. Lee’s wife lived at 1237 Canton Road in Kowloon, Hong Kong. At some point she immigrated to the United States.
Lee and “Je Lon Wong” married in Reno, Nevada on October 15, 1978.
Lee passed away on June 2, 2006 in San Francisco.
YANG W. LEE
Yang Wai Lee was born on May 10, 1916 in Hong Kong, China according to his World War II draft card.
Lee’s immigration records have not yet been found.
The 1940 United States census counted “Ying Lee” in his brother’s household. Ben and May Lee had seven children. They were Oakland, California residents at 621 Fallon Street. Lee was a waiter.
On October 16, 1940 Lee signed his draft card. His address was the same but later updated to 7012 Wallisville Road, Houston, Texas. Lee was employed at the Peacock Cafe in Oakland. His description five feet five inches, 185 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
Lee passed away on June 2, 2006 in San Francisco.
YANG W. LEE
Yang Wai Lee was born on May 10, 1916 in Hong Kong, China according to his World War II draft card.
Lee’s immigration records have not yet been found.
The 1940 United States census counted “Ying Lee” in his brother’s household. Ben and May Lee had seven children. They were Oakland, California residents at 621 Fallon Street. Lee was a waiter.
On October 16, 1940 Lee signed his draft card. His address was the same but later updated to 7012 Wallisville Road, Houston, Texas. Lee was employed at the Peacock Cafe in Oakland. His description five feet five inches, 185 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
Lee married Texas native, Lucy Jo Sham, on August 17, 1941 in Houston. The new address on his draft card belong to his father-in-law, “Yensi Sham”. In the 1940 census, Lucy was the second of seven siblings. The Houston Chronicle, April 17, 1944, published a photograph of her and said
Mrs. Lucy Jo Lee, wife of Staff Sgt. Yang W. Lee of the air corps, who caught the limelight as an infant 20 years ago as the first baby born in Houston of Chinese parents, is down here with Captaincies. Grant W. Herzog, commander of Group 4, Civil Air Patrol, and Pvt. Winifred Colella, Ellington Field Wac, is shown beside a CAP plane before her first airplane ride Sunday at Main Street Airport. Mrs. Lee, a prospective Wac recruit, lives at 7016 Wallisville Road. Sergeant Colella was formerly a Curtiss-Wright airplane factory inspector
Lee enlisted on May 21, 1943.
During his service Lee used the opportunity to be naturalized in Ohio on December 6, 1943.
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 216.
Yang W. Lee…..Houston, TexasThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said
....One staff room in barrack 2 is known as Sloppy Joe’s....but that ain’t all....the three occupants therein, S/Sgt Kim W. Jung, S/Sgt Yang W. Lee, and Cpl Yew S. Jew, are known, respectively, as “Mugger,” “Tondelayo,” and “The Major”.....Gung Ho, No. 12, March 10, 1944, said
.....Some Dee-troitism:... Other first-times were S/Sgt Yang F. [sic] Lee and Pvt Guey S. Yep....After the war Lee returned to Houston.
According to the 1950 census, Lee, his wife, one-year-old daughter, Kathrine, and brother-in-law, Gunny Sham, lived at 7006 Wallisville Road. Lee was a grocery store butcher.
The 1951 Houston city directory said Lee worked at Lum’s Food Market.
Lee passed away on November 5, 1976 in Houston. The death certificate said he was a refrigeration mechanic. Lee was laid to rest at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
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