DUEY S. LEONG
Duey Shee Leong was born on October 10, 1913 in Nom Lung, [Sun Wui,] China according to his World War II draft card. Sun Wui was on a passenger list and his Chinese Exclusion Act case file 172, 843, box 564, at New York.
Nine-year-old Leong and Chin Leong, a family friend, were aboard the steam ship Tyndareus when it departed Hong Kong on October 27, 1923. They had visited Leong Chong Shun in Hong Kong at 80 Des Voeux Road, Central. The duo arrived at Seattle, Washington on November 22, 1923. Chin Leong was admitted the following day. Ten-year-old Leong joined him on January 26, 1924. Their destination was to Leong’s father, Hop Leong, at 23 South 8th Street in St. Louis, Missouri.
Leong has not been found in the 1930 United States census.
The 1940 census counted Leong in the Bronx, New York at 1263 Jerome Avenue. He was a puller at a laundry.
On October 16, 1940 Leong signed his draft card. His address was the initially same but changed several times: 1750 West Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida (crossed out); c/o Ruby Foo, 340 West 56th Street, New York City (crossed out); 150 Rumsey Road, Yonkers, New York.
Duey Shee Leong was born on October 10, 1913 in Nom Lung, [Sun Wui,] China according to his World War II draft card. Sun Wui was on a passenger list and his Chinese Exclusion Act case file 172, 843, box 564, at New York.
Nine-year-old Leong and Chin Leong, a family friend, were aboard the steam ship Tyndareus when it departed Hong Kong on October 27, 1923. They had visited Leong Chong Shun in Hong Kong at 80 Des Voeux Road, Central. The duo arrived at Seattle, Washington on November 22, 1923. Chin Leong was admitted the following day. Ten-year-old Leong joined him on January 26, 1924. Their destination was to Leong’s father, Hop Leong, at 23 South 8th Street in St. Louis, Missouri.
Leong has not been found in the 1930 United States census.
The 1940 census counted Leong in the Bronx, New York at 1263 Jerome Avenue. He was a puller at a laundry.
On October 16, 1940 Leong signed his draft card. His address was the initially same but changed several times: 1750 West Avenue, Miami Beach, Florida (crossed out); c/o Ruby Foo, 340 West 56th Street, New York City (crossed out); 150 Rumsey Road, Yonkers, New York.
At New York City Leong enlisted on November 10, 1942.
Leong was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Leong and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Duey S. Leong…..Yonkers, New YorkHe appeared in photographs on pages 53 and 61.
Leong took the opportunity to become a naturalized citizen which occurred on December 6, 1943.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
…Now for our Dept. of Romance & Similar Nonsenses: …And sad to relate, S/Sgt Duey Leong, weekending in N. Y., was stood up by his date…Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said Staff Sergeant Leong was presented the Good Conduct Ribbon by Captain E.F. Brown.
Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
….Of all the handsomely made knives you see the fellows sporting around, the smallest belongs to S/Sgt Duey S. Leong...it’s so small it can actually be used for a toothpick....it’s also sharp enuf to severe [sic] quite a few arteries....Gung Ho, No. 11, March 3, 1944, said
....Everything-Happens-To-Me dep’t: S/Sgt Duey S Leong was bothered with a painful tooth...so he moaned his way over to the dental clinic....Before he knew it, the bothersome molar was out. That was what he thought until he came out of the local anesthetic....Yep, you’ve guessed it: the wrong tooth was extracted....Oh, Doctor!!....Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
....S/Sgt Duey S Leong is the latest gent to team up with the mustache-spouters’ fraternity....right now it looks Grouchy Marx-y, but may improve with age and tender care....He’s unusually patient about the whole thing....which makes it news, for Leong is about the most easily excited and quick-tempered GI in the outfit....He can work himself up to a frenzy on any given subject in record-breaking time....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...Leong’s veteran’s file said he was discharged on January 9, 1946. The Herald Statesman (Yonkers, New York), January 12, 1946, said Leong was honorably discharged at Fort Dix.
..And did diminutive Lawrence Fong inflate his likewise dimunitve [sic] chest when, during initial tent inspection the tepee he occupies with Duey Leong & Henry W Leung came out with A-1 rating...
Our new latrine is super, according to consensus of opinion & ’twas Duey Leong who supervised as construction engineer. Now Duey’s gone ’n fixed up a real honest-to-goodness shower...the boy’s good, we tell you...he deserves all those beers he drinks...
Leong married Rose Lee Chan, in Manhattan, on September 1, 1949. This was her second marriage.
According to the 1950 census Leong and his wife were Manhattan residents at 899 Eighth Avenue. He was a restaurant proprietor and she a restaurant bookkeeper.
The 1953 Manhattan city directory listed Leong at 858 8th Avenue.
At some point Leong moved to California.
East/West, July 11, 1967, said
407th air squad holds outingLeong’s wife passed away on October 13, 1977 in San Francisco.
The 407th Air Service Squadron will hold a picnic at Oakland’s Roberts Park on Sunday. July 30, at 2 p.m.
Many activities are being planned by Duey S. Leong. chairman, and his committee for the day. For information call Chor Y. Law, 781-2568.
The 407th saw service in North Africa, India and China. In China, the squadron was under the command of Clair L. Chennault, Commanding General of the 14th (Flying Tigers) Air Force. Plans are being made by the group for a fourth reunion in the summer of 1968.
Leong passed away on April 15, 1993 in Alameda, California according to the California Death Index at Ancestry.com.
HENRY LEONG
Henry Robert Leong Jr. was born on April 30, 1921 at San Francisco, California according to his birth certificate and World War II draft card. Leong’s full name was recorded on his death certificate. His mother was Jeung Shee.
The 1930 United States census counted Leong as the oldest of four siblings. They were in the household of their paternal grandfather, Geet Leong. Besides their parents, there were five uncles and one aunt. Leong’s father was a chauffeur in the taxi industry. They resided in San Francisco at 835 Clay Street.
In the 1940 census Leong, his parents and siblings remained at 835 Clay Street. His father was the proprietor of a tavern.
On February 14, 1942 Leong signed his draft card. His address was the same. He was employed at the Presidio Officer’s Club. Leong’s description was five feet six inches, 136 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Leong enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 30, 1942.
Leong was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Leong and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.Henry Leong…..San Francisco, California
In the book he appeared in a photograph page 19.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said
Casaba Team Wins
Playing the 6th game of the current Patterson Field intra-squadron basketball league series, the 407th quintet came through with a resounding victory this Thursday when it met the 2nd Weather Squadron. The score at the end of the game was 40 to 9 in favor of the 407th.
Playing in better than usual form, the 407th’s starting line-up consisted of Cpl Albert Fong, Sgt “Murphy” Quan, Pfc Henry Leong, Pfc Henry Wong (13) and Pvt Peter K. Gee.
Playing forward, Al Fong was high score man, turning in 15 points, while Henry Leong displayed good floor work, ably supported by the other players.
Henry Was Surprised
(Note: the following item is printed without editing, just as it was submitted.)
On Tuesday night, at the Dispatcher’s Office, a surprise dinner party was tended to PFC Henry Leong, the potential running guard on the squadron quintet, in celebration of his twentieth birthday. Only his closest friends and associates attended.
Although cooking utensils and facilities wore [sic] limited, the chef and his ability, producing delectable and succulent dishes of chicken, Chinese sausage on casserole, steamed dried duck, and of course, that old standby, boils rice, which constituted the entree for the gala occasion. For the finishing touch, a white layer cake, topped with white butter frosting, on which was inscribed in chocolate allumettes and striped peppermint stick confetti, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY—HENRY” was brought out, much to the delight of the honored recipient, who also did the honors of cutting the cake.
A very good time was had by all, and for those who wish to drool, the menu is as follows:
Clear chicken broth with lettuce and egg;
Chicken giblets with broccoli, Chinese style;
Chinese sausage on casserole; Yuen Young Gai, a la Lee; Ice cream and cake.
Ain’t you hungry now?
—The Motor Pool Boys
Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
More Casaba Tussles.
Last week and early this week the squadron basketball team played its 8th and 9th games in the current Patterson Field intra-squadron casaba series.
Playing against the 923rd Guard Squadron last Friday night, our team came through with a victory, the score being 28 to 26. The final did not indicate that the 407th team led their opponents throughout the game. The staring line-up included Murphy Quan, Peter K. Gee, Ben Louie, Henry Wong (13), and Henry Leong, with Murphy scoring 16 points to become high point man.
Monday night, playing against Aviation Sq “B”, the opposing team won by a score of 29 to 25. The starting line-up was almost the same, the change being the inclusion of Albert Fong, who took Henry Leong’s place. Again Murphy Quan was high point man, coming through with 11 points.
Next Monday the 407th team will play its 10th game in this series, with the Base Hospital team as opponents. The following night the team will play a separate game against the 3511th Serv Unit, Military Dept., University of Dayton. The latter is an ASTP unit, and reported to consist of fast and expert tossers. The game will be played at the university gymnasium.
Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
Basketball Team Plays Two More Games.
The 407th casaba contingent was kept busy on the eve and the first day of Chinese New Year. These athletic sessions did not prevent the players from celebrating the festival, but they did interrupt the celebration.
Playing on its 10th game in the current Patterson Field intra-squadron series against the Base Hospital team the 407th came thru with a victorious score of 47 to 22. The starting lineup were Murphy Quan, Albert Fong, John Leong, Peter K. Gee and Henry Leong.
Murphy, playing forward, was high scoring man, making no less than 28 points, which was more than the opposing team got in their entire game. Murphy now has 91 points to his credit in the series, and this puts him up among the first five high scoring men in the league.
The following evening, playing the ASTU (Army Specialized Training Unit) team at the U. of Dayton gym, the 407th was defeated by a score of 44 to 28. However, this trouncing did not affect the squadron team’s standing in the league series, as this was an extra-mural games, played at the ASTU’s invitation. The 407th starting lineup for this game was the same as the previous night’s game except for Ben Louie, who replaced John S. Leong.
The 407th team’s next intra-squadron game will be played Feb. 2 against the 9th Reporting Detachment. The chances for winning, according to our team, are fifty-fifty.
Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
Casaba Quintet Plays 11th Game.
This week the squadron basketball team played the 11th game of the current Patterson Field intra-squadron series against the 9th Reporting Detachment. With both sides evenly matched, the 407th quintet came through with another victory. The score ended 36 to 22.
Murphy Quan again was the high scoring player, turning in 14 points, This hikes his total in the series to 105 points.
Starting lineup for this game included Henry Leong, Henry Wong (13), Albert Fong, Peter Gee, and Murphy Quan. At the beginning of the second half the starting lineup was totally replaced by John S. Leong, Howard C. Loo, Edwin Chu, Edward Chew, and David Fong. Throughout the game Wong and Leong exhibited good floor work.
Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
The Unlucky 13th.
The numerical symbol of universal bad luck hit the 407th’s basketball aggregation last week when it played its 13th game in the intra-squadron series against the Hqs ASC quintet. It was the 13th game, and it was played on a Friday. And there were 13 players in the team.
The starting line-up included Murphy Quan, Albert Fong, Ben Louie, Henry Leong, and Henry Wong (13). Our team led the game all the way until the end of the third quarter. Then, at the last quarter, the opposing team begin to break loose with a few goals. At the end of the game the score was tied—25 to 25.
A 3-minute overtime was played. The opposing made one foul goal—and won the game by that one single point.
For the 407th team, Albert Fong was high scorer, turning in 11 points. Murphy Quan followed with a total of 6 points. That half a dozen digits, though, placed Quan as the highest individual scorer in the league series. At the end of the game that night he had totaled 130 points.
As of last Friday, the 407th casaba team’s standing in the series was, 6 games won and 7 games lost, with about 2 more games to go.
MEN OF THE 407TH
CASABA TOSSING CELESTIALS
There is one outstandingly interesting thing about the 407th basketball team. And that’s in the fact that out of 13 players 11 are from San Francisco. Of the remaining two, one is from Oakland, Calif., and the other from New York City. This makes a total of 12 Californians out of a team of 13 players.
We might mention in passing that Sgt Woodrow Chan, the team’s manager, is from Long Island, N. Y. while property manager Pfc Elvin Ong is also from Frisco. But we might add that Woody is a native-born Californian.
What does all these statistics prove? Nothing very much perhaps, except that wherever you find a bunch of San Francisco Chinatown boys together you are bound to find some good basketball players among them. The largest Chinatown in the U. S. is the home of the best casaba tossing celestials to be found in the country. They are familiar with all the favorite sports of the American people, but for some reason they excel in basketball. Give the average SF Chinatown boy a gym or a backyard with a couple of baskets and a ball, and he will feel at home. The casaba tossers of the 407th were weaned in the basketball countts [sic] of St. Mary’s School, the Chinese YMCA, the French School, the Chinese Playground, the Commodore Stockton School—all inside the purlieu of S F Chinatown.
Take Sgt Murphy Quan for instance. A San Franciscan by birth and domicile, he has been tossing the casaba around since he could run. When he graduated from Mission High, where he was a basketball player on the varsity quintet, he started playing with the various Chinatown A. C’s—the small little clubs that used to come and go. Murphy didn’t care which club he played under, so long as he could toss that ball around.
He finally teamed up with the Nom Wah, Chinatown’s crack basketball outfit. The Nom Wah developed slowly, but at the height of its splendor it had practically all the best casaba players to be found in the community. The skill and prowess of its players was something to see & admire. Murphy played under the Nom Wah banner for years and became one of its outstanding players. His team played not only in SF, but also in Sacramento, Stockton, Los Angeles etc. It entered as many leagues and tournaments as it could handle. Winning 3 leagues in one season was one of Nam Wah’s crowning achievements, and Murphy was in there pit Ching for all he was worth.
Six players who have played in the Chinese Playground league are Cpl Albert Fong, Pfc Henry Wong-13, Pvt Peter K. Gee, Pfc Ben Louie, Pfc Howard Quan and Cpl Harry Q. Wong. In addition, Fong has also played with the Chinese “Y” and the Mohicans All-Stars; Wong has played with the Cherokee Club; Gee also with the Dragoneers and the Chung Wah Trojans; Harry Wong was with the Chinese Y as well as the Dragoneers; and Louie and Quan were with the Chinese YMCA.
As for the others, Pfc Henry Leong played in the Galileo H. S. Team; Pvt David Fong was with the Chung Wah Trojans; Pvt Edward Chew was with the Oakland Chinese Presbyterian Youths team; Pfc Howard Loo played for the Dragoneers; Pvt John S. Leong for the Sacred Heart H. S. and Pvt Edwin Chu for the Chinese Church League in New York.
—W. H.
Gung Ho, No. 10, February 25, 1944, said
MEN OF THE 407TH—
MAKE MUSIC? CAN DO!
The 407th EM may never make history, but, by the beard of Confucius, they are determined to make music.
For several months now certain jive-loving squadron EM have been tooting their saxophones and strumming their string instruments individually in the peace and quiet (!) of their respective barracks after the sun goes down. Most of these music-loving souls hailed from San Francisco’s Chinatown, where the strident rhapsodies of old Canton vied with the jazzing of Duke Ellington to make life a wee bit trying to the older generation.
When some of these boys marched off to war and joined the 407th some months ago, their instruments came along with their GI duds. Three members who had played together on the same band in SF Chinatown found themselves side by side again. They yearned mightily to be in the groove once more, but the opportunities were lacking, and certain needed instruments were scarcer that the eggs of an ancient turtle.
But this week the glimmer of a 407th orchestra began to take shape. Ten EM—8 of them Californians—decided that a certain amount of jiving was possible with the material at hand. After some efforts, a set of drums materialized. And already available were saxophones, clarinet, and violins. Plus a ready-made voxcalist [sic] Raymond K. Fong, of Stockton, Calif., who has had radio and stage singing experience. Other members of this aggregation of celestial cacophonist include:
… The rest of the players are San Francisco Chinatownians all, with three of them former members of the Cathay Band, a fifty-men outfit with a 30-year old history behind it. This trio are Pfc Elwin W. Ong, drummber [sic]; Pfc Henry Leong, saxophonist; and Pfc Stanley Tom, tuba tooter and pianist. Ong and Tom have also played with the Cathay orchestra, the young off-shoot of the Cathay Band.
Gung Ho, No. 13, March 17, 1944, said
Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, saidSQUADRON QUINTET WINS CONSOLATION TROPHY
By defeating the 478th Air Base Sqdn to the tune of 28–26 the 407th basketball team this week won the consolation trophy in the current Post league tournament.
There was double satisfaction in winning this game, for the 478th had beaten our team in the previous intra-squadron tournament.
The starting lineup for the 407th included Murphy Quan, Albert Fong, Ben Louie, Henry Wong (30), and Henry Leong.
Almost at the end of the game, with only 4 minutes to go, Henry Wong fell and sprained his ankle. David Fong substituted for him and helped to sustain our team’s speedy playing. Murphy Quan piled up 13 points to maintain his high scoring record.
The consolation trophy has been awarded to the team. The quintet has played its second and last tournament for the season but by no means has it played its last game. Meanwhile, Murphy Quan continues to play forward with the Patterson Field All-Stars. This group was honored last Saturday evening with a special banquet at the service club.
….Music in the nite: The squadron orch is really putting in some super practice sessions these days—we mean nites….with Cpl William Hing at the clarinet, pic Elwin Ong at the drums, and with three sax’s in hands of Cpls Al Fong and Wilfred Eng and Pfc Henry Leong, they’re getting in the groove….even tho the violinists and pianist weren’t there….they had several spectators t’other nite, tho they didn’t know it,….the latter were some EM from another nearby sqdn..peeking in thru the windows….Gung Ho, No. 23, August 5, 1944, said
…Stan Chinn (sax) Henry Leong (sax) & Wm Hing (clarinet) are keeping their instruments from getting rusty by occasional practice sessions.. their jive rhythm is being slowed up by this Indian summer...Leong’s veteran’s file said he was discharged on February 7, 1946.
The Oakland Tribune, July 2, 1948, said Leong and Laura Young were issued a marriage license.
According to the 1950 census Leong, his wife and one-year-old son, Rodney, were San Francisco residents at 1129 Clay Street. Leong was the head waiter at a restaurant.
The 1965 San Mateo, California city directory listed Leong at 221 North Humboldt Street.
Leong passed away on March 6, 1990. A funeral notice appeared in the San Francisco Examiner, March 8, 1990.
Leong, Henry Robert, Jr.—In San Francisco, March 6, 1990; beloved husband of Laura Leong, loving father of Rodney, Valerie and Robert; loved son of Panty and the late Henry Leong, Sr.; devoted grandfather of Nicholas, Matthew and Justin; loved father-in-law of Terry, Helen and Mark; dear brother of Jeanette, also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Memorial Services Sunday. 1 pm. at Halsted N. Gray-Carew & English, 1123 Sutter St. Private interment Golden Gate National Cemetery. Memorial contributions to American Cancer Society or On Lok, 1441 Powell St., S.F. 94101 preferred.Leong was laid to rest at Golden Gate National Cemetery.
JOHN S. LEONG
John Sing Quan Leong was born on January 3, 1925 in San Francisco, California according to his birth certificate at Ancestry.com. His mother was Wong Shee.
The 1930 United States census counted “Sing Quon Leong” as the sixth of seven siblings. Their father, Yow King Leong, was a fruit packer. They were San Francisco residents at 1187 Fairfax Avenue.
In the 1940 census Leong and his mother lived with his brother, George (post office clerk), and his wife, daughter and son, in San Francisco at 39 Auburn Street.
Leong signed his World War II draft card on February 10, 1943. His address was unchanged. He was employed at the Western Pipe and Steel Company. Leong’s description was five feet eight inches, 132 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Leong enlisted on May 12, 1943.
Leong was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Leong and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
John S. Leong…..San Francisco, California
In the book Leong was in photographs on pages 19, 53 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55. He was mentioned on page 45.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
…Five more EM’s returned from their happy furloughs this week: Pfc’s Fong K Eng, Elwin Ong, John S. Leong, Gin Long [?], and Pvt Robert Jung….so did our own Sgt “York”—York M. Kai [sic], who came back quite a few days ago. So did our medical officer, Lt. K.C.K. Lau, “Doc” Lau to us all….he had a swell leave in New York.Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said
Basketball Game.
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.
…..Gosh, that basketball game played by the 407th quintet Thursday eve must have been rigged, or else a couple of the boys were a wee bit soft…for on the morning after the players limped into the Orderly Room and signed up for Sick Call. Rough game, Murphy Quan and John Leong?…..Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
…Seen & heard at the last squadron shindig at the Loretto: Sgt Mon K. Fong and Pfc John S. Leong, who pride themselves on their dancing (“We’re really good”) justified their boasting when they won prizes for their nimble footwork…not to mention also their cheek-to-cheek type of dancing…Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
Casaba Quintet Plays 11th Game.Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
This week the squadron basketball team played the 11th game of the current Patterson Field intra-squadron series against the 9th Reporting Detachment. With both sides evenly matched, the 407th quintet came through with another victory. The score ended 36 to 22.
Murphy Quan again was the high scoring player, turning in 14 points, This hikes his total in the series to 105 points.
Starting lineup for this game included Henry Leong, Henry Wong (13), Albert Fong, Peter Gee, and Murphy Quan. At the beginning of the second half the starting lineup was totally replaced by John S. Leong, Howard C. Loo, Edwin Chu, Edward Chew, and David Fong. Throughout the game Wong and Leong exhibited good floor work.
MEN OF THE 407THGung Ho, No. 10, February 25, 1944, said
CASABA TOSSING CELESTIALS
There is one outstandingly interesting thing about the 407th basketball team. And that’s in the fact that out of 13 players 11 are from San Francisco. Of the remaining two, one is from Oakland, Calif., and the other from New York City. This makes a total of 12 Californians out of a team of 13 players.
We might mention in passing that Sgt Woodrow Chan, the team’s manager, is from Long Island, N. Y. while property manager Pfc Elvin Ong is also from Frisco. But we might add that Woody is a native-born Californian.
What does all these statistics prove? Nothing very much perhaps, except that wherever you find a bunch of San Francisco Chinatown boys together you are bound to find some good basketball players among them. The largest Chinatown in the U. S. is the home of the best casaba tossing celestials to be found in the country. They are familiar with all the favorite sports of the American people, but for some reason they excel in basketball. Give the average SF Chinatown boy a gym or a backyard with a couple of baskets and a ball, and he will feel at home. The casaba tossers of the 407th were weaned in the basketball countts [sic] of St. Mary’s School, the Chinese YMCA, the French School, the Chinese Playground, the Commodore Stockton School—all inside the purlieu of S F Chinatown.
Take Sgt Murphy Quan for instance. A San Franciscan by birth and domicile, he has been tossing the casaba around since he could run. When he graduated from Mission High, where he was a basketball player on the varsity quintet, he started playing with the various Chinatown A. C’s—the small little clubs that used to come and go. Murphy didn’t care which club he played under, so long as he could toss that ball around.
He finally teamed up with the Nom Wah, Chinatown’s crack basketball outfit. The Nom Wah developed slowly, but at the height of its splendor it had practically all the best casaba players to be found in the community. The skill and prowess of its players was something to see & admire. Murphy played under the Nom Wah banner for years and became one of its outstanding players. His team played not only in SF, but also in Sacramento, Stockton, Los Angeles etc. It entered as many leagues and tournaments as it could handle. Winning 3 leagues in one season was one of Nam Wah’s crowning achievements, and Murphy was in there pit Ching for all he was worth.
Six players who have played in the Chinese Playground league are Cpl Albert Fong, Pfc Henry Wong-13, Pvt Peter K. Gee, Pfc Ben Louie, Pfc Howard Quan and Cpl Harry Q. Wong. In addition, Fong has also played with the Chinese “Y” and the Mohicans All-Stars; Wong has played with the Cherokee Club; Gee also with the Dragoneers and the Chung Wah Trojans; Harry Wong was with the Chinese Y as well as the Dragoneers; and Louie and Quan were with the Chinese YMCA.
As for the others, Pfc Henry Leong played in the Galileo H. S. Team; Pvt David Fong was with the Chung Wah Trojans; Pvt Edward Chew was with the Oakland Chinese Presbyterian Youths team; Pfc Howard Loo played for the Dragoneers; Pvt John S. Leong for the Sacred Heart H. S. and Pvt Edwin Chu for the Chinese Church League in New York.
—W. H.
….Our two buglers do a pretty neat job on harmonizing Reveille these cold mornings…now if they would just swing it just a little bit….we could fall out so-o much faster!….just in case you want the info….our two buglers are Cpl Richard Y. Wong and Pvt John S. Leong….but let’s not do anything too drastic….yet….Gung Ho, No. 11, March 3, 1944, said
….Pvt John S Leong has been complaining for weeks about not get- [sic] enough mail….but not anymore tho….because he got one the other day he couldn’t read….on account it was in Chinese....so Pvt Young Q Ark was prevailed upon to read and interpret the ideographs to him....Gung Ho, No. 23, August 5, 1944, said
.....Did Johnny Luong [sic] fly out of bed fast t’other morn when he found a 1 1/2 foot s-n-a-k-e was sharing his bunk! ... Ng Y Wing gave the reptile the coup de grace..both swore it was a cobra...After the war, Leong returned to San Francisco. He has not yet been found in the 1950 census.
...’n Johnny Leong, down at reclamation, is getting a lot of cigars from somebody...
Leong married Sharon Williams in 1961. The 1965 San Rafael, California city directory listed them at 845 Las Gallinas Avenue, Apt. 9. The 1974 directory listed them at 405 Aberdeen Drive. They divorced in February 1974. The 1977 directory listed Leong at 201 Burlingame Avenue.
Leong married Carol Jean Fisk at Reno, Nevada on September 25, 1976.
At some point Leong moved back to San Francisco where he passed away on August 5, 1996.
HENRY W. LEUNG
Henry Wong Leung was born on August 13, 1913 in Bayonne, New Jersey according to the New Jersey Birth Index and a passport application. His World War II draft card had the birth year 1912.
The 1915 New Jersey State census counted Leung and his parents, Charlie and Annie, in Bayonne at 1045 Avenue C. His father operated a laundry.
The 1920 United States census said Leung was the oldest of three brothers. Frank was born on June 13, 1915 in Bayonne, and Harold in New York City. (There was a Horace Leung born on August 8, 1917 in Manhattan, New York City.) They lived with their parents in Elizabeth, New Jersey at 115 Broad Street. Their father owned a restaurant.
About two months later Leung’s sister, Lillian, was born.
In 1921 Leung, his parents and siblings prepared to travel to China. At the time they resided in Manhattan’s Chinatown at 11 Mott Street. The family planned to depart from Boston, Massachusetts bound for China. Leung’s passport application was dated May 25, 1921. They traveled to San Francisco and boarded a ship on June 28, 1921.
Twelve-year-old Leung, his parents and Frank were aboard the steam ship President McKinley when it departed Hong Kong on April 22, 1926. They had been at “Hokshan, China”. They arrived at Seattle, Washington on May 11, 1926 and admitted that day. Their final destination was New York Chinatown at 11 Mott Street.
The 1930 census counted Leung, his father and Frank. They lived in Brooklyn, New York at 2509 Nostrand Avenue. Leung’s mother, Horace and Lillian were in China.
Leung went to San Francisco to sail to China. The ship left on August 12, 1934. Leung and Horace were aboard the steam ship President Lincoln when it departed Hong Kong on August 28, 1935. Leung had married Lee Shee and lived at “Foo Dau, Hokshan, Kwantung, China”. Horace had been with their mother in Hokshan. The brothers arrived at San Francisco on September 17, 1935. Their destination was the Sun Lun Chong Company at 4 Mott Street in New York Chinatown.
Frank and Lillian arrived at Seattle on March 27, 1938.
Leung has not yet been found in the 1940 census.
On October 16, 1940 Leung signed his draft card. His address was 17 Mott Street in New York Chinatown. He was employed at the restaurant Ruby Foo’s Den in Manhattan.
The date of his enlistment is not known.
Leung 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.
Henry W. Leung…..Dorchester, MassachusettsIn the book Leung appeared in photographs on pages 53 and 57.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
S/Sgt Henry Leung and Pfc Goy A. Chin made noise a-plenty playing the ancient Chinese finger-guessing game (chi mui)…with Leung losing most of the time….we’re still wondering if he lost intentionally so that he could quench his thirst more adequately….could be…..Gung Ho, No. 11, March 3, 1944, said
....On the musical front: S/Sgt Henry Leung and Ton G Lum run neck and neck in their daily race to the mandolin....both are lovers of the old Chinese classics....but since Henry Leung always seems to get to the instrument first, Ton G Lum has to be satisfied with vocalizations only....And Cpl William Hoy has a tough time getting the mandolin away from them long enough for band practice....Gung Ho, No. 12, March 10, 1944, said
….On the Musical front: S/Sgt Henry Leung having the time of his life with a Chinese fife....he can really toot it too, by gosh! Since this has displaced his fondness for the mandolin, one Cpl Hoy has been able to lay his hands on the instrument for his own practice...holding a one-man musicale in his staff-room....Gung Ho, No. 13, March 17, 1944, said
….S/Sgt Henry Leung is velly, velly proud of his sartorial appearance these days....Reason is a brand new OD blouse he wrangled out of supply....Also a brand new overcoat...Sez Henry: “After 26 months in the army, I finally got myself a blouse that fits!”...Something’s screwy some place, if you ask us....
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...Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
...The harmonica pipings of James B Wong is strictly honey to the ear when things seem dull ’n drab...especially his renditions of “Stardust” & “Begin the Beguine.” On the other hand, we haven’t heard a squawk from Henry W (for Whiskey) Leung who took the mandolin from us t’other eve...The strings are rusty, said he...And did diminutive Lawrence Fong inflate his likewise dimunitve [sic] chest when, during initial tent inspection the tepee he occupies with Duey Leong & Henry W Leung came out with A-1 rating...
...Henry W. Leung does butterfly chasing down the line when he isn’t otherwise occupied....Leung was at Sioux Falls, North Dakota when he reenlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 10, 1945. Leung is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
The Social Security Death Index said Leung’s number was issued in Alabama. A Public Records Index, at Ancestry.com, said Leung had lived at 148 East Main Street in Northborough, Massachusetts.
Leung passed away in February 1964.
Frank passed away in 1996. He was a WWII Navy veteran. His obituary appeared in the News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware), June 20, 1996. The survivors included his siblings Harry, Lillian and Margaret.
Lillian passed away on June 18, 2015. Her News Journal obituary was published on June 28, 2015. Siblings Harry and Margaret were among the survivors.
Harry passed away on March 2, 2020. Four days later his obituary was printed in the News Journal. His sister, Margaret, was one of the survivors. The obituary said Harry “was predeceased by his parents, Yeu John Leung and Lin Shee Wong and his siblings, Howard (Chu Lee) Leung, Frank (Ruifang Ye) Leung, Harold (Chi Min Lee) Leung and Lillian (Harry) Chin.” Evidently Howard was an alternate name for Henry, and Harold in place of Horace.
Information about Harold’s passing has not been found.
WOO K. LEUNG
Woo Kok Leung aka Peter Woo was born on July 28, 1917 in China according to his World War II draft card. Fighting for the Dream: Voices of Chinese American Veterans from World War II to Afghanistan (2014) published Leung’s fourteen-page story. He said
Both my social security card and my American passport say I was born in 1917 instead of 1919. And actually I don’t know whether I was really born in 1919, or maybe 1920. ...Leung did not say he was born in Toishan/Taishan but mentioned his schooling there. His father, Yee Kien Woo, immigrated in 1920 and was from “Lung On, Sunning, China” according to his Chinese Exclusion Act case file. Leung’s marriage license said his mother’s name was Liu Shee.
In May 1937 nineteen-year-old “Kok Leang Woo” left “Lung On, Toyshan, China”, where his mother, Lieu Shee, lived, and boarded a steam ship in Hong Kong. He arrived at British Columbia Canada in late May or early June 1937. Leung traveled by train to Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was aboard the ship Fort Amherst when it departed on June 7, 1937. Two days later he arrived at the port of New York. Leung’s final destination was to his father, Yee Kien Woo, at 26 Pell Street in New York Chinatown. Leung’s family name was Woo.
In the 1940 United States census his father was counted at 26 Pell Street but Leung was not there.
On October 16, 1940 Leung signed his draft card. His address was 26 Pell Street in New York Chinatown. His description was five feet four inches, 120 pounds, with black eyes and hair. He named his father as a contact person.
On March 19, 1943 Leung filed a naturalization application. He enlisted on April 1, 1943.
Leung said his military training began at Camp Robinson, Arkansas for about three months. He was transferred to Camp Fannin, Texas, for about two months, to teach the Chinese who didn’t understand English. His last transfer was to the 14th Air Force at Patterson Field, Ohio. Leung could write Chinese and speak Cantonese and Mandarin so he accepted the assignment of intelligence work.
Leung 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.
Woo K. Leung (Peter Woo)…..New York, New YorkIn the book Leung was mentioned on pages 15 and 76. He appeared in a photograph on page 53.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
... Mild-tempered Pvt Woo Leung had his equilibrium shattered the other day,. Reason: “1st Sgt Chan” Woo expostulated, “told me I needed close order drills. Can you imagine me needing drilling? ME, who just came out of the Infantry?” ....... enough said.Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
…The other day Pvts Wong On and Woo K Leung were asked to help a buddy pack up in preparation for transfer…..but there was a slight misunderstanding somewhere, for before anybody knew it Wong and Woo had themselves packed up instead….1st Sgt Chan did some telling before the situation was cleared up….Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
…Seen & heard at the last squadron shindig at the Loretto: …and the quartet of local gals Pvts Wong On and Woo K. Leung invited to the dance had quite a few of the boys hopping and playing tag…Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
…And now for a few bits of this ’n that gleaned from faraway N’York, where a few of the squadron EM spent a weekend that just couldn’t be called quiet….one group, the one that did the most running around, included none other than M/Sgt Floyd Sam, S/Sgt Hong S. Wee, and Pvt Woo K. Leung. Now, Leung was a NY Chinatownian, but Wee and Sam had never been to America’s #1 town before, and wanted to see what NY was all about…..Yank, February 11, 1944, said
…They started out Saturday noon with only themselves, but when dinnertime came the party numbered 18 people…with enuf gals for all the boys present…Sgt Wee found himself in a predicament when he was introduced to two gals…and they were twins! He couldn’t make up his mind whether to take Janet or Muriel…so he escorted both..and was pleased as Punch…whiel [sic] Pvt Leung took care of ze third sis, Eleanor….but Sgt Sam came into the picture, and Wee had to relinquish Muriel….
….While frolicking in a nite club, all that stood between Wee and the La Conga line was another Orange Blossom…..now he is advertising for an instructor to show him how to get in the groove, skin the cat, hop it up, and jive it down…..Whee, Wee!……
…..At a bowling session the party took two alleys…and Wee and Sam vied in showing the maximum of their pin rolling skill…the gals oh’d and ah’d as they rolled up strikes and spares…while Pvt Leung and Eleanor retired to a far corner and had themselves a conversation….no, it wan’t about the weather…
….Thus it went on…there were dinners and shows and sightseeing…the trio on the loose met many persons, including Donaldina Lew, lyric soprano from San Francisco’s Chinatown, singing in a Times Square nitery; and Helena Kuo, Chinese author and lecturer….
Anglo-Chinese PaperThe Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury (New York, New York), February 25, 1944, said
Patterson Field, Ohio—Newest GI paper on this post is Gung Ho, a six-page mimeographed sheet printed in English and Chinese by members of the 407th Service Squadron.
Staff of this unique publication includes William J. Hoy as editor; Pfc. Paoling Deng, editor of the Chinese section, and Cpl. Yow R. Chinn, Cpl. James G. Jay, Cpl. Richard E. Gee , Pvt. Young Q. Ark, and Pvt. Woo K. Leung, editorial assistants.
Ohio Airmen Edit Gung Ho, Chinese-English News SheetAfter the war Leung returned to New York. He is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
Fung Ho, mimeographed news sheet in English and Chinese, brings information of the men in the 407th Service Squadron, AC Patterson Field, Ohio. Attractively illustrated, the longest single feature is the Chop Suey which is made up of short personal sketches.
The staff includes Cpl. William J. Hoy, editor; Pvt. Young Q. Ark, Chinese section contributing editor; Cpl. Yow R. China [sic], staff artist; Cpl. James G. Jay, Cpl. Eugene F. Szeto, Pfc. Elwin W. Ong and Pvt. Woo K. Leung, editorial assistants.
Old China Hands may find a kindred spirit in the soldier about whom the following chop suey item appears: “Cpl. Eugene Szeto is taking up Chinese in a big way ... trying to learn both the spoken and written lingo ... Like any guy from Brooklyn, he’s finding the going tough ... when you find a half dozen words with the same sound but meaning six totally different things, that’s too much for a boy from Brooklyn ... Thus far Szeto us averaging two characters a day ... By the end of the duration he should know quite a handful of those ideographs ...”
On June 9, 1947 Leung and Helen Shi Wong obtained, in Manhattan, marriage license number 17958. They married on June 12. At the time Leung lived in Manhattan, at 209 Grand Street, and his business was wholesale seafood. He gave his birth date as July 5, 1919.
The 1950 census counted Leung (Peter Woo), his wife and one-year-old son, Ronald, in Manhattan Chinatown at 209 Grand Street. He was the proprietor of a wholesale seafood business.
The New York Post, February 18, 1951, said the Hoy Yuen Restaurant, 117 West 48th Street, was managed by Peter Woo and Johnny Chin.
Woo’s father passed away on December 12, 1959 according to the New York, New York Death Index at Ancestry.com. He was laid to rest on December 19 at The Evergreens Cemetery.
On November 22, 1962, Woo returned to the United States from Panama. His address was 99-60 63rd Road in Rego Park, New York.
The Long Island Star-Journal (Long Island City, New York), August 25, 1964, said Woo was the chairman of the Chinese American Division of the All American Council Democratic National Committee. He organized the first Democratic Club in Manhattan Chinatown, the Chinatown Democratic Club at 2 Mott Street. The article mentioned his wife, son and two daughters, Debbie and Jade.
The New York World-Telegram and Sun, October 23, 1964, said “Chinatown restaurateur Peter Woo was in charge of a nationwide effort” to mobilize Chinese voters for Democrats.
The Long Island Star-Journal, April 4, 1966, published a photograph of Woo presenting an award. The caption read
Additional information about Leung/Woo has not been found.
SIDEBAR: Yee Kien Woo
Yee Kien Woo was born on April 6, 1888 at Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Leong On, Sun Ning, China”. Thirty-one-year-old Woo was aboard the steam ship Monteagle when it departed Hong Kong in August 1920. He had been with his wife, Liu Shee, at Leong On. Woo arrived at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on September 10, 1920. He transferred to the ship Princess Charlotte which took him to Seattle, Washington on the same day. After an investigation he was admitted three days later. Woo’s destination was Wing On Wo & Co. at 13 Mott Street in New York Chinatown. His son joined him in 1937.
DIN LEW
Din Lew was born on September 29, 1921 in Toishan, China according to his World War II draft card. His naturalization card had June 24, 1920 as the birth date. His wife’s naturalization petition said his birthplace was “Gim Doo Lee Village, Kwangtung, China”.
Lew was aboard the steam ship President Coolidge when it departed Hong Kong on August 25, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Lam Shee, at “Kam Sze Li, Toyshan, Kwangtung”. Lew arrived at San Francisco, California on September 18, 1938 and admitted on October 11, 1938. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 38510/10-23. Lew’s final destination in San Francisco was 838 Washington Street where his brother, Sun Lew, lived.
Lew has not yet been found in the 1940 United States census.
On February 15, 1942 Lew signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 838 Washington Street. He was a student at the Samuel Gompers School. Lew’s description was five feet five inches, 116 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
The New York Post, February 18, 1951, said the Hoy Yuen Restaurant, 117 West 48th Street, was managed by Peter Woo and Johnny Chin.
Woo’s father passed away on December 12, 1959 according to the New York, New York Death Index at Ancestry.com. He was laid to rest on December 19 at The Evergreens Cemetery.
On November 22, 1962, Woo returned to the United States from Panama. His address was 99-60 63rd Road in Rego Park, New York.
The Long Island Star-Journal (Long Island City, New York), August 25, 1964, said Woo was the chairman of the Chinese American Division of the All American Council Democratic National Committee. He organized the first Democratic Club in Manhattan Chinatown, the Chinatown Democratic Club at 2 Mott Street. The article mentioned his wife, son and two daughters, Debbie and Jade.
The New York World-Telegram and Sun, October 23, 1964, said “Chinatown restaurateur Peter Woo was in charge of a nationwide effort” to mobilize Chinese voters for Democrats.
The Long Island Star-Journal, April 4, 1966, published a photograph of Woo presenting an award. The caption read
Legion Award—City Council President Frank D. O’Connor of Jamaica Estates holds the Distinguished Service Award he received from the all-Chinese Lt. J. B. P. Kimlau American Legion Post in Manhattan. From left are: O’Connor, Bing Chu of Flushing, post commander; Frank Doyle of Laurelton, former aide to Mayor Wagner, and Peter Woo of Rego Park, chairman of the award dinner.Sing Tao Daily (New York), January 3, 2016 published an article about Woo receiving copies of Gung Ho from Kevin O’Neal of Springfield, Illinois. (The website link is not active.)
Additional information about Leung/Woo has not been found.
SIDEBAR: Yee Kien Woo
Yee Kien Woo was born on April 6, 1888 at Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Leong On, Sun Ning, China”. Thirty-one-year-old Woo was aboard the steam ship Monteagle when it departed Hong Kong in August 1920. He had been with his wife, Liu Shee, at Leong On. Woo arrived at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on September 10, 1920. He transferred to the ship Princess Charlotte which took him to Seattle, Washington on the same day. After an investigation he was admitted three days later. Woo’s destination was Wing On Wo & Co. at 13 Mott Street in New York Chinatown. His son joined him in 1937.
DIN LEW
Din Lew was born on September 29, 1921 in Toishan, China according to his World War II draft card. His naturalization card had June 24, 1920 as the birth date. His wife’s naturalization petition said his birthplace was “Gim Doo Lee Village, Kwangtung, China”.
Lew was aboard the steam ship President Coolidge when it departed Hong Kong on August 25, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Lam Shee, at “Kam Sze Li, Toyshan, Kwangtung”. Lew arrived at San Francisco, California on September 18, 1938 and admitted on October 11, 1938. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 38510/10-23. Lew’s final destination in San Francisco was 838 Washington Street where his brother, Sun Lew, lived.
Lew has not yet been found in the 1940 United States census.
On February 15, 1942 Lew signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 838 Washington Street. He was a student at the Samuel Gompers School. Lew’s description was five feet five inches, 116 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lew enlisted on October 14, 1942.
Lew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Din Lew (Din L. Lee)…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book Lew wrote the dedication on page iv. Lew and James G. Jay’s signatures were on page four which had text in Chinese. He was mentioned on pages vi, viii, 10, 21, 22, and 73.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
...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)?.........Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
8 EM on Detached Service.
This week another out-of-town assignment was given the 407th. This time it was to assist in the repairing of a P-39 at Columbus, Ohio.
So to Columbus last Monday went S/Sgt Donald Louie, Cpls Henry Mar, Din Lew, John R. Ung, Kenneth Mah, Pfc’s John Chuck, Gim Jeong, and Pvt Louie Woon. The officer in Charge was W.O.T.A. Egnoski.Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said Corporal Lew was presented the Good Conduct Ribbon by Captain E.F. Brown.
After the war Lew returned to San Francisco. Lew is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
On December 9, 1946 Lew began his travel to China. He married May Chee “Mabel” Tom on April 21, 1947 in Canton. They were aboard the ship General William H. Gordon when it departed Hong Kong on June 26, 1947. The couple arrived at San Francisco on July 14, 1947. Lew’s San Francisco address was still 838 Washington Street.
Lew’s wife became a naturalized citizen on July 9, 1957. Their address was 837 Union Street in San Francisco. She and Lew had four children: Nellie, Lydia, Rita, and Wayland.
Lew was naturalized on February 9, 1965. He changed his name from Way Koon Lee to Din Lew Lee. His address was 859 Lombard Street in San Francisco.
East-West, June 1, 1967, said
Up the ranksLew was mentioned in “Out of the Shadows” published in the Daily Gazette (Schenectady, New York), August 27, 1994.
San Francisco—Din Lew, who came through the ranks, is the new commander of the Golden Gate Post No. 34, American Veterans of World War and Korea.
Lew served successfully as Finance Officer, 2nd Vice and 1st Vice Commander. He served with the 407th Air Service Squadron (14th U. S. Air Force) in North Africa, India, and China Theatres of Operations during World War II.
At some point the Mabel and Din Lew Lee Memorial Scholarship was established (see recipient Karen He).
Lew passed away on December 1, 1999 in San Francisco.
ELWOOD H. LEW
Elwood Harvey Lew was born on June 19, 1922 in Fresno, California according to his World War II draft card.
The 1930 United States census counted Lew as the seventh of ten siblings. Their parents were Yuen (China) and Lena (California). His father was a proprietor of a retail dry goods business. The family lived in Fresno at 1319 Tulare Street.
The Lew family had the same address in the 1940 census. Lew’s father had a grocery store.
California Department of Employment
Identification Card*
Identification Card*
On June 30, 1942 Lew signed his draft card. His Oakland address was 119 8th Street. He was employed at the Richmond Shipyard. Lew’s description was five feet six inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lew enlisted on February 17, 1943.
War Department
Soldier’s Individual Pay Record*
February 24, 1943 (start date)
Soldier’s Individual Pay Record*
February 24, 1943 (start date)
Immunization Register*
February 26, 1943 (start date)
Lew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Elwood H. Lew (Harvey Lew)…..Oakland, CaliforniaIn the book he was mentioned on page viii and appeared in photographs on page 20 (identified as Elwood Loo) and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944 said Private First Class Lew was promoted to Corporal.
Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
….while in another corner Sgts George Shue and Andy Kan, Cpls Elwood Lew and Fred Ko, Pfc’s Harry King and Albert FL Fong, Pvts York Q. Luke and Yee T. Yook scribbled autographs in Chinese and American to a group of lassies…Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
...and Cpl Elwood Lew is also a snow casualty...but he’s got complication aplenty...believe us, fellas, he itches!!! It seems the zinc oxide or sump’n in the tape is causing it....Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
....And we have it straight from postal-packin’ papa Cpl Mack Pon [sic] that Cpl Elwood Lew has all of a certain Irene’s communiques filed in chronological order....Any cross index, Elwood?....Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
...Kern Lee is a fortune teller ’n told Elwood Lew some things about his future...After the war Lew returned to Fresno. The marriage licenses column of the Oakland Tribune, February 14, 1947, said
Lew-Ko—Elwood H. Lew, Fresno, and Genevieve Ko, Oakland.According to the 1950 census, Lew, his wife and two-year-old son, Jeffrey, were Fresno residents at 1319 Tulare Street. Lew was the proprietor of a restaurant.
Lew passed away on November 28, 2006. A funeral notice appeared in the Fresno Bee, December 8, 2006.
Lew, E. Harvey* Documents acquired on eBay
Services for E. Harvey Lew, 84, of Fresno will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home. Mr. Lew, an office manager for Fresno County waterworks for 38 years, died Nov. 28. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
HENRY B. LEW
Henry Bing Lew was born on September 5, 1906 in San Francisco, California according to his World War II draft card. He was born Bing Hong Lew on July 17, 1906 according to his birth certificate (transcribed at Ancestry.com) and passport application. The different birth dates can be explained by examining the Chinese-American Calendar for the 102 Chinese Years Commencing January 24, 1849, and Ending February 5, 1951. Below is the page for the year 1906.
Someone converted Lew’s actual birth month and day, July 17, by looking at the Chinese calendar figures printed in black: column 7 (month) and number 17 (day). The corresponding month and day, in red, are September 5, which Lew used on his draft card and Social Security application.
The 1910 United States census counted “Bing Hong Lew” as the seventh of nine siblings. The census said his father, Kan Lew, a retail merchant, had two wives, Jung Shee, 56 and Lam Shee, 36, who was Lew’s mother. They were San Francisco residents at 729 1/2 Sacramento Street.
On August 2, 1918 Lew’s father applied for a passport. Twelve-year-old Lew was issued a passport on August 14, 1918. The application said his father came to California in 1866.
When Lew arrived at Hong Kong he registered with the American Consulate General in Canton. The application, dated February 13, 1919, said he departed San Francisco on October 14, 1918. After arriving in Hong Kong, Lew settled in Canton in December. His purpose was to study Chinese. Lew’s passport number was 1530c. He re-registered on February 9, 1920.
On September 4, 1924 eighteen-year-old Lew was aboard the steam ship Shinyo Maru when it departed Hong Kong. He had stayed with a sister-in-law, who paid his passage, at Sun Wui. Lew arrived at San Francisco on October 4, 1924 and admitted that day. Lew’s final destination was Fook On Leong at 729 Sacramento Street in San Francisco.
In the 1930 census, Lew lodged at 870 Clay Street in San Francisco. He was a teamster.
The 1940 census said Lew and his wife, Frances, resided in Delano, California at 920 Fremont Street. He was the proprietor of a club house.
On October 16, 1940 Lew signed his draft card. His Delano address was 925 Glenwood Street. His description was five feet ten inches, 180 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lew was in Los Angeles when he enlisted on June 3, 1943. His induction was mentioned in the Bakersfield Californian, June 18, 1943.
Lew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Henry B. Lew…..Jackson, MichiganIn the book he was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said
…Sgt Henry Lew enjoyed himself so much that nite, before, during and after the party, he had a two day hangover…“What a nite!” He moaned…..and boy, wasn’t it nice to see some of the Sgts on K. P. at the party?…..Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
The Tale of a Pig’s Stomach & Other Celestial VictualsGung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
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.
…For the record, the oldest EM in the 407th seem to be Cpls Henry Luke and Bert L. Deng…closely followed by Sgts William P. Hsia and Henry B. Lew….and the youngest is Pvt Johnny Quong….their respective ages?….that’s a telling!……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...Lew was discharged on December 11, 1945. He returned to California.
...Well, our boys who were DS (being left behind at our last station) have all returned to the fold..According to Paul C Fong, he had a good time...but according to motor pool boss Henry Lew he was anything but happy there. He pulled guard constantly, he was bit right ’n left by insects, he was soaked by rain ’n baked by the sun...altogether he was only too glad to rejoin us....
According to the 1950 census, Lew and Frances lived in Delano at 601 11th Avenue. He was a butcher at a grocery store.
The year 1962 was a transition year. Lew and Frances were listed at the same address in the 1962 Delano city directory included Bakersfield as his residence. The 1962 Bakersfield said Lew was married to Joan and their address was 1120 Roberts Lane, Apartment 4. He was the manager of Cuckoo Inn Club in Delano. The 1966 Bakersfield directory said Lew and Joan had the same address and managed the Whalmor Inn Club.
Lew passed away on June 30, 1968 in Los Angeles. His obituary appeared in the Fresno Bee, July 4, 1968.
Henry Bing LewLew was laid to rest at North Kern Cemetery.
Delano—Funeral services for Henry Bing Lew, 62, of Bakersfield, will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Congregation, Delano. Military services will follow in the Delano-McFarland District Cemetery. He was a native of San Francisco and had lived in Delano prior to moving to Bakersfield.
His home was at 1120 Roberts Lane, and he died Sunday in Los Angeles. He was a member of the American Legion, Chinese Masons, and the Japanese American Citizens League.
Surviving are his widow, Joan; two sons, David Lew of Maryland and Henry Lew of Bakersfield; one daughter, Mrs. Lorraine Marr of Oakland; one sister, Mrs. Annie Jowe of Fresno.
SHUEY LEW
Shuey Lew was born on February 1, 1923 in China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. The California Chinese Arrival Case Files Index, at Ancestry.com, said Lew’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 33729/015-06. The file said his birth date was March 17, 1923. The different birth dates are explained in the Chinese-American Calendar for the 102 Chinese Years Commencing January 24, 1849, and Ending February 5, 1951. The chart below for 1923 is Chinese Republic 12th Year. Column 2 and number 1 in black correspond to March 17 in red. Lew used the lunar calendar, 2/1, for his birth date, February 1.
Ten-year-old “Suey Lew” was aboard the steam ship President Coolidge when it departed Hong Kong on January 27, 1934. He had been with his mother, Louie Shee, at “Sun Yuen, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. He arrived at San Francisco, California on February 14, 1934. Eleven-year-old Lew was admitted on April 30, 1934. His final destination was to Chiu Lew, a cousin, at 57 Waverly Place in San Francisco.
Lew has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Lew signed his draft card. His Los Angeles, California address was 1966 Hillhurst Avenue. He named his father, Lin Lew, as a contact person. Lew’s description was five feet two inches, 110 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
In 1943 Lew enlisted in the Army.
Lew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Shuey Lew…..Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe naturalization petition of Lew’s wife, Kwan Siu Lee, said he was naturalized at Vincennes, Indiana on April 1, 1944.
Lew was discharged in 1946 and returned to San Francisco. Lew is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. He has a profile at the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project.
In 1948 Lew traveled to China. He married Kwan Siu Lee on March 22, 1948 in Hong Kong. They were aboard the ship General M.C. Meigs when it departed Hong Kong on July 3, 1948. The couple arrived at San Francisco on July 22, 1948. Lew’s address was 880 Sacramento Street in San Francisco.
The 1950 census counted Lew, his wife, and daughter, Irene, in San Francisco at 1565 Washington Street. He was a restaurant waiter.
Lew’s wife, Linda, became a naturalized citizen on September 27, 1955. Their address was 728 Green Street in San Francisco. They had four daughters: Irene, Dorothy, Madeline and Bernice. Lew was an aircraft worker.
Lew passed away on January 11, 2016 in San Francisco. His obituary appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, January 21, 2016.
On January 11, 2016, Shuey Lew peacefully passed away in his sleep at age 92, surrounded by his family, who absolutely adored him.
He lived an extraordinary life grounded in history and filled with adventure.
He was born in the Toisan area of Guangdong Province, China, on February 1, 1923. He came to America at age 9, and was detained for 9 months at Angel Island Immigration Station, before being permitted entry into the U.S.. He worked odd jobs in restaurants, shining shoes, and toiling in the fields. During World War II, he was drafted into the U.S. Army for around 3 years, where he served as ground crew for the Flying Tigers in Burma, India, and China.
After the war was over, he returned to China, where he met and married the love of his life, a marriage that lasted his lifetime. Whenever he was asked what initially attracted him to his wife, his eyes would always light up and he would shyly answer, “Her beauty”, and chuckle like a schoolboy. Ever a devoted husband: her happiness was always his happiness. Their union produced 9 beautiful daughters who absolutely revered and adored their father.
He supported his family as an aircraft mechanic, and assisted his wife in managing several businesses. Their financial success enabled them to put each of their daughters through college. His longevity and good health enabled him to walk each of his daughters down the aisle, and to enjoy his 20 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
He leaves behind a phenomenal legacy, survived by his loving and devoted wife, his daughters, 20 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren.
Burial to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Colma.
WAH F. LEW
Wah Fook Lew was born on January 18, 1913 at Canton, China according to
his World War II draft card. The Social Security Death Index, his death
certificate and veteran’s file had the date December 12, 1911. The
different dates can be partly explained in the Chinese-American Calendar for the 102 Chinese Years Commencing January 24, 1849, and Ending February 5, 1951. The
chart for 1912, below, is Chinese Republic 1st Year. Column 12 and
number 12 in black correspond to January 18, 1913 in red. On other
documents Lew used the lunar calendar, 12/12, for his birth month and
day, December 12. The draft card had the year 1911 but, when he
enlisted, the year was changed to 1912.
A passenger list said Lew was born at “Lung Tak, Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”.
Eleven-year-old Lew and his father, Fon Lew, 47, were aboard the steam ship President Taft when it departed Hong Kong on August 1, 1923. They had been with Lew’s mother, Lee Shee, at “Lungtak, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. They arrived at San Francisco, California on August 23, 1923. His father was admitted the same day. Lew joined his father on September 20, 1923. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 224921/6-10. They met Yuen Lew, a cousin, at Wo Yuen Company, 863 Stockton Street in San Francisco.
At San Francisco Lew began his trip to China on August 30, 1929. Lew was aboard the steam ship President Pierce when it departed Hong Kong on March 24, 1931. Lew married Huie Shee and lived at “Lung Tack, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. He arrived at San Francisco on April 15, 1931. His final destination was to the Wo Yuen Company at 863 Stockton Street in San Francisco.
On December 2, 1932 Lew began his trip from San Francisco to China. Lew was aboard the steam ship President Hoover when it departed Hong Kong on July 13, 1935. He visited his wife at “Lung Tak, Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”. Lew arrived at San Francisco on July 31, 1935. His final destination was to Fat Yee Lew, a cousin, at 863 Stockton Street in San Francisco.
The 1940 United States census counted “Walter Lew” at 928 Western Avenue
in Los Angeles, California. He was a self-employed laundryman.
On October 16, 1940 “Lew Wah Fook” signed his draft card. His Los Angeles address was 928 South Western Avenue. He operated the Yee Shing Laundry. Lew’s description was five feet ten inches, 155 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
On October 16, 1940 “Lew Wah Fook” signed his draft card. His Los Angeles address was 928 South Western Avenue. He operated the Yee Shing Laundry. Lew’s description was five feet ten inches, 155 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lew enlisted on July 15, 1943 according to his veteran’s file.
Wah F. Lew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Wah F. Lew…..Los Angeles, CaliforniaLew was discharged in January 1946. He reenlisted on January 26, 1946 and was discharged on April 9, 1947.
The 1948 Los Angeles, California city directory listed Lew at 612 East 27th Street.
The California County Marriage Record, at Ancestry.com, said Lew married Chee Huang on April 5, 1948.
Lew has not been found in the 1950 census.
The 1952 California voter register said Lew was a Republican who lived at 1125 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles.
The California Death Index, at Ancestry.com, said Lew passed away on August 4, 1982 in Los Angeles. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The grave marker said he was a father.
YUE C. LEW
Yue Chung Lew was born on April 7, 1923 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Toishan, China”.
The California County Marriage Record, at Ancestry.com, said Lew married Chee Huang on April 5, 1948.
Lew has not been found in the 1950 census.
The 1952 California voter register said Lew was a Republican who lived at 1125 North Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles.
The California Death Index, at Ancestry.com, said Lew passed away on August 4, 1982 in Los Angeles. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The grave marker said he was a father.
YUE C. LEW
Yue Chung Lew was born on April 7, 1923 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Toishan, China”.
Fourteen-year-old “Yue Chung Lau” was aboard the steam ship Empress of Asia when it departed Hong Kong on February 23, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Kok Shee, at “Lung On Lee, Toi Shan, China”. Lew arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on March 12, 1938. He transferred to the ship Princess Charlotte which took him to Seattle on the same day. When Lew was investigated his name was recorded as Yue Chung Lew. His father’s name was Lew Mi Wing. Lew was admitted on April 4, 1938. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/10809. Lew’s destination was Yee Cheong & Co. at 124 5th Avenue in Seattle.
(A family tree at Ancestry.com said “Chung Lew” and his father, Way Lew, were aboard the steam ship President Grant when it departed Hong Kong on February 24, 1931. Chung Lew had been with his mother, Louie Shee, at “Shun Yuen, Sunning, China”. Father and son arrived at San Francisco on March 18, 1931. Their destination was Cheung Lee Co. at 57 Waverly Place in San Francisco. I believe Chung Lew was a different person.)
Lew has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Lew signed his draft card. His address was 36 Mott Street in New York Chinatown. He worked at the Brewster Aeromautic Co. in Newark, New Jersey. Lew’s description was five feet one inch, 110 pounds, with brownies and black hair.
(A family tree at Ancestry.com said “Chung Lew” and his father, Way Lew, were aboard the steam ship President Grant when it departed Hong Kong on February 24, 1931. Chung Lew had been with his mother, Louie Shee, at “Shun Yuen, Sunning, China”. Father and son arrived at San Francisco on March 18, 1931. Their destination was Cheung Lee Co. at 57 Waverly Place in San Francisco. I believe Chung Lew was a different person.)
Lew has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Lew signed his draft card. His address was 36 Mott Street in New York Chinatown. He worked at the Brewster Aeromautic Co. in Newark, New Jersey. Lew’s description was five feet one inch, 110 pounds, with brownies and black hair.
At some point Lew enlisted in the Army.
Lew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Yue C. Lew…..New York, New YorkIn the book he was in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
After the war Lew returned to the New York metropolitan area. Lew is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
Lew returned to China and married Mee Lun Lee. The couple was aboard the ship General William H. Gordon when departed Hong Kong on September 19, 1948. They arrived at San Francisco on October 5, 1948. Lew’s address was 65 Warburton Avenue in Yonkers, New York.
The 1950 census counted Lew, his wife, Jane, and year-old daughter, Sally, at 170 Broadway in South Amboy, New Jersey. He operated a laundry.
The 1953 New Brunswick, New Jersey city directory listed Lew at 31 Throop Avenue. He was a laundry worker with Anthony T. Lew. The address in the 1954 directory was 35 Throop Avenue. In the the 1958 directory Lew was at 7 Throop Avenue and the vice-president of New York Laundry Inc.
Lew’s wife passed away on July 11, 2016 in New Jersey.
The family tree at Ancestry.com said Lew passed away in 2021.
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