HARRY LIM
Harry Lim was born on November 14, 1924 in Oakland, California according to his World War II draft card.
1930 United States census counted Lim as the second of four siblings. Their parents were Yowe, a restaurant cook, and Wong Shee. The family resided in Oakland at 711 Jackson Street.
The 1940 census counted a fifth child. The Lims lived at 189 10th Street in Oakland.
On December 3, 1942 Lim signed his draft card. His address was unchanged. He worked at the General Engineer Dry Dock Company. Lim’s description was five feet seven inches, 153 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Harry Lim was born on November 14, 1924 in Oakland, California according to his World War II draft card.
1930 United States census counted Lim as the second of four siblings. Their parents were Yowe, a restaurant cook, and Wong Shee. The family resided in Oakland at 711 Jackson Street.
The 1940 census counted a fifth child. The Lims lived at 189 10th Street in Oakland.
On December 3, 1942 Lim signed his draft card. His address was unchanged. He worked at the General Engineer Dry Dock Company. Lim’s description was five feet seven inches, 153 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lim enlisted on May 26, 1943.
Lim was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lim and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Harry Lim…..Oakland, CaliforniaIn the book Lim’s Order to Report for Induction notice (D.S.S. Form 150) was reproduced on page 5. He was mentioned on pages vi, viii, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 17, 21, 22, 25, 33, 40, 45, 48, 49, 52, 58, 61, 64, 70 and 71.
Lim appeared in photographs on pages 7 (here and here), 15, 20, 28, 29, 53 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
…..Shades of One Wing Low! A rash of ocarina and tonette amateur players has broken out in the squadron…..to date at least seven feverish GI’s, suddenly stricken with this musical disease…and have filled the barracks with weird and unearthly sounds…mostly during the dark of night. Nightly they congregate in small groups and proceed to do what they termed practicing, bringing out their “directions for playing” charts….Their ears deaf to the entreaty of bunk buddies, they wailed and blowed on their miniature instruments.Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
…..As for the names of these torturers they consist thus far of Cpl John Ung, Sgt Andrew Kan, Cpl Eugene Szeto, Pvt Henry S.Y. Wong, Pfc Harry G King, Cpl Albert F. L. Fong, and Pvt Harry Lim…..
….A bit of Chinese culture in one easy lesson seemed to have been provided by Pvt Harry Lim…he was so-o busy explaining the intricacies of Chinese calligraphic art to a pretty miss….and using the table cloth….
….Chinese New Year gleanings….and Pvt Harry Lim wires all the way home to Oakland, Cal. for some mazumas to celebrate the New Year with…..After the war Lim returned to Oakland. Lim is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
In the 1950 census Lim was with his parents and siblings at the same address.
Lim might be the same person mentioned in The Pacific Churchman, January 1953.
On November 16, 1958 Lim married Dorothea D. Wong in Alameda, California.
Lim was mentioned in the Daily Gazette (Schenectady, New York), August 27, 1994.
The Mockford website published a 2013 photograph of Lim and his son Sheldon.
Lim’s daughter, Christina, co-author of In the Shadow of the Tiger, passed away on October 12, 2012.
Lim was interviewed for the Chinese Historical & Cultural Project’s “Chinese American World War II Veterans Project”. On Instagram Dion Lim featured Lim, Paul Ngim and the daughter of Louis Wong.
KOON WAH LIM
Koon Wah Lim was born on October 12, 1912 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Lo Har Po, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”.
Fifteen-year-old Lim was aboard the steam ship Korea Maru when it departed Hong Kong on April 18, 1928. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Cheong Shee, in Sunning, China. Lim arrived at San Francisco on May 12, 1928 and was admitted on May 31, 1928. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 26869/003-08. Lim’s final destination was to Tak Yan Lim, a cousin, at Man Fong, 733 Washington Street in San Francisco.
Lim has not been found in the 1930 and 1940 United States censuses.
On October 16, 1940 Lim signed his draft card. His address was 117 1/2 North Broadway at Santa Maria, California. He was employed at the Hancock College of Aeronautics. Lim’s description was five feet six inches, 140 pounds, with black eyes and hair
According to the 1942 California voter register, Lim, a mechanic, was a Democrat who lived at 213 South Miller Street in Santa Barbara.
At some point Lim enlisted in the Army.
Lim was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lim and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Koon Wah Lim…..Santa Maria, CaliforniaIn the book Lim was mentioned on pages viii and 70. He appeared in photographs on pages 45, 61, and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55. Reproduced between pages 220 and 221 was an illustrated article from Dayton Daily News (Ohio), November 21, 1943. A photograph showed Lim, Wilbert Chung and Raymond C. Fong working on a B-24.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
EM’s Return from Detached ServiceGung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said Private First Class Lim was promoted to Corporal.
After a two weeks’ special course in the air service dept at Orlando, Fla., 9 EM’s returned to the 407th this week. The group consisted of T/Sgt Floyd Sam, S/Sgts Henry Wong, James Yee, Ton G. Lum and George Wong, Sgts Donald Y. Louie and Hing B. Lo, Pfcs Koonwah Lim and George M. Shue.
Sgt Louie reported that the Flordia [sic] sunshine gave him a good tan. But Pfc Shue, contrariwise, caught a cold instead.
T/Sgt Sam gave out that several of the boys, namely Lum, Louie, Lo and Lim, had occasion to visit Cypress Garden down yonder. It so happens that this place is our C.O.’s hometown, and the boys seriously thought of invading the latter’s home. But in a case of cold feet caught them and the idea was abandoned.
The boys also visited the movie set where the “Tarzan” pictures are made—and found out how Johnny Weismuller could climb those jungle trees so fast. No, they feel they can climb them just as dextrously [sic].
One of the highlights of the EM’s returning trip was the real Chinese meal they had in Jacksonville. Said Floyd: “We had sea-weed soup, Chinese style chicken, beef and tomatoes, bean cakes, etc. Boy, did we eat!”
10 EM’s Indiana-BoundGung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said Corporal Lim was promoted to Sergeant.
Days ago, near Liberty, Ind. a B-25 was forced down in the middle of a corn field. To get it out it was deemed necessary to dismantle the plane part by part.
This week that job of dismantling was given to the 407th. Ten EM’s were picked for the task, and left for Indiana Tuesday, accompanied by WO T.A. Egnoski. This temporary duty is to last approximately 5 days, at the end of which some additional practical experience should have been gained by the men.
The 10 EM’s who went there: M/Sgt. Floyd Sam, S/Sgt Donald Louie, Sgt Hing Lo, Sgt Wm Toy, Cpl Koonwah Lim, Cpl Geo. Chow, Sgt Donald Poy, Sgt Fulton Yee, Cpl Andrew Goon, Pfc Woo H. Niy….
….Now for a few eyetems about the 7 EM who went on a little detached service last week to Greenfield, O. to dismantle a P-47….Led by T/Sgt Andy Lee, the men included S/Sgt Kim W. Jung, Sgts Koonwah Lim, Donald Poy[,] George Gon, Cpls Gwon J. Lee and Jean H. Shing….Report was the boys did not mind the cold weather at all….no sir, not while they were so well treated by the Greenfield folks….after knocking off work each day Sgt Poy had a tough time pleasing all the gals because so many of ’em liked his company….they took one look at his boyish-looking face and dubbed him “cutie,”…migosh…now those local belles all want to write to him….The East Liverpool Review, (Ohio), February 22, 1944, published photographs of Lim and others of the 407th.
….And for once Sgt Gon and Cpl Shing were glad to meet a couple of teachers….and maybe learn a few things…the latter were not only young but pretty too….the “pupils” were taken for a ride ’round the countryside….ah, such gor-gee-ous scenery!
….T/Sgt Lee and S/Sgt Jung didn’t exactly sit around their off duty hours either…oh no….Lee forgot to bring along his O.D. pants, but did that stop him from going out?…he went out—in Sgt Koonwah Lim’s trousers!….and stayed out till 8 ayem of a Sunday morn…tsk, tsk….Sgt Lim was the only one who ever got enough sleep…always in bed at 9 PM..and was the best snorer of the group outside of Cpl Gwon J. Lee…..But “we certainly appreciate the kindness of the people of Greenfield,” said all the boys afterwards….
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Gung Ho, No. 12, March 10, 1944, said
407th In The News.On October 10, 1945 Lim reenlisted in the Army Air Corps at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
This past week or so has seen men of the squadron making some front page news in at least two papers.
First, the Illinois State Journal (Springfield, Ill.) gave an entire page in its issue of February 28th to pictures of 407th EM at work. There were 8 photographs in the full-page spread and showed such EM as Koonwah Lim, Sing Y. Yee, Wilbert Chung, Woo Niy, Bot Wong, and Wong Yuey at work and training.
A photograph of Lim is on page 158 of Duty & Honor: A Tribute to Chinese American World War II Veterans of Southern California (1997). The photograph can also be viewed at the Duty and Honor Collection.
Lim eventually returned to California.
According to the 1950 census, Lim, his wife, Yunghua, and son, Lawrence, were San Luis Obispo, California residents at 31 County Road. He was a sheet metal worker at the state college. Lawrence’s birth was noted in Santa Maria Times’ birth column on July 19, 1948. The San Luis Obispo County Telegram-Tribune, December 1, 1951, listed the birth of his daughter, Florence.
Lim studied at California State Polytechnic College. He was mentioned and photographed in Aeronautical Engineering Review, September 1951.
The 1952 Santa Monica, California city directory listed Lim at 1331b 18th Street. He was an engineer at Douglas.
The 1960 California voter registration listed Lim in Los Angeles at 12525 Cloud Lane. He was a Republican.
Lim and his wife signed an open letter to President Carter that appeared in East/West, March 2, 1977.
Lim had some involvement with the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Wright Flyer Project. He appeared in Figure 2, the 1981 photograph on page 2, and was mentioned on page 3, second paragraph. (The article said Lim was in Figure 3.)
Lim passed away on October 4, 2010. The Social Security Death Index said his last residence was at Laguna Hills, California.
WILLIAM P. LIM
William Pon Lim was born on December 1, 1924 in China according to his World War II draft card. Evidently he was a paper son. On his draft card Wong was crossed out and replaced with Lim by court order around 1944. His immigration records have not been found.
In the 1940 United States census “William Wong” was a Detroit, Michigan resident at 3116 Park Street. He had been in Detroit since 1935 and completed his first year of high school. He may have been related to Thomas Lee and Toy Lee who were in the household.
On December 29, 1942 Lim signed his draft card. His Detroit address was 3143 Cass Street. Lim’s description was five feet seven inches, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was a student at Northern High School.
Lim, as William Pon Wong, graduated from Northern High School in June 1943.
At some point Lim enlisted in the Army.
Lim was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Lim and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
William P. Lim…..Detroit, MichiganIn the book Lim appeared in the photograph on page 53 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55. He was mentioned on page 74.
Lim’s draft card said he was discharged on January 5, 1946. He is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
Lim returned to China and married May Yoke Toy. The couple was aboard the ship General William H. Gordon when it departed Hong Kong on February 4, 1950. They arrived at San Francisco on February 20. Lim’s address was 45 Sibley Street in Detroit.
About six weeks later, Lim and his wife were counted at the same address in the 1950 census.
The 1956 Royal Oak, Michigan city directory listed Lim at 3302 Starr Road. He was a construction engineer at Chrysler.
Lim’s wife was naturalized on March 21, 1952. Ten years later, he was naturalized on September 14, 1962. His birth year was changed to 1923.
Lim’s daughter was profiled in Detroit News’ Michigan Magazine, May 10, 1987. She was an occupational therapist by vocation and a practicing magician by avocation. She and her parents lived in Troy.
Additional information about Lim has not been found.
YEE S. LIM
Yee Soon Lim was born on May 11, 1915 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. The same date appeared in his veteran’s file and the Social Security Death Index. His Ohio death certificate had the date May 15, 1915. A passenger list said Lim was born in “Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”.
Twenty-three-year old Lim was aboard the steam ship President Cleveland when it departed Hong Kong on May 5, 1939. He had been with his wife, Gin Shee, in “Toyshan, China”. Lim arrived at Los Angeles, California on May 29, 1939. A hand-written notation above his name, on the passenger list, read “Adm. as U.S. citizen 7-6-39”. Lim’s final destination was Sang Lin Products Company at 954 San Julian Street in Los Angeles.
Lim has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On October 16, 1940 Lim signed his draft card. His address was 518 Third Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was self-employed at 1405 Broadway. Lim’s description was five feet seven inches, 138 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Lim enlisted on May 7, 1943. Lim’s Pennsylvania Veteran Compensation Application File, at Ancestry.com, recorded his domestic service from December 29, 1942 to April 10, 1944, and foreign service from April 11, 1944 to January 3, 1946.
Lim was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed L and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Yee S. Lim…..Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaIn the book he appeared in 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 Lim was promoted to Corporal.
Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, Corporal Lim was promoted to Sergeant.
Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said Sergeant Lim was presented the Good Conduct Ribbon by Captain E.F. Brown.
Lim was discharged at Indian Town Gap, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1946.
Lim was aboard the steam ship Marine Lynx when it departed New York on September 12, 1947. He arrived at Los Angeles on September 26. Lim traveled to China where he married Kit Gee Ng. They were aboard China National Aviation Corporation airplane XT-105, flight 912, when it departed Shanghai and arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii on December 15, 1948. The next stop was San Francisco. Lim’s address was 54 Elizabeth Street in New York Chinatown.
Lim filed his Pennsylvania compensation application on March 29, 1950. His address was 518 3rd Avenue in Pittsburgh. He named his parents, Gwan Lim and Seto Shee, wife and son, Evan Yee Lim.
Lim has not been found in the 1950 census.
Lim passed away on October 15, 1999. He was laid to rest at Maplewood Cemetery. The headstone and grave marker had different birth dates for Lim.
DURWARD E. LIVENGOOD
Durward Elmo Livengood was born on August 20, 1922 in Stamford, Texas according to his World War II draft card.
In the 1930 United States census Livengood was the youngest of two children born to Calvin, a farmer, and Beatrice. They lived in Justice, Texas.
Livengood has not been found in the 1940 census.
Livengood married Edith Merle Dilbeck in Haskell, Texas on January 29, 1941.
On June 30, 1942 Livengood signed his draft card. His address was Route #3 in Haskell, Texas. He was employed at age Consolidated Aircraft Corporation in San Diego, California. Livengood’s description was five feet ten inches, 140 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
At Lubbock, Texas Livengood enlisted in the Army Air Corps on October 23, 1942.
Livengood was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Livengood and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Durward E. Livengood…..Haskell, TexasLivengood was discharged on January 11, 1946.
Livengood passed away on May 18, 2010. The Social Security Death Index said his last residence was Stamford, Texas. Livengood was laid to rest at Willow Cemetery.
HING B. LO
Hing Bun Lo was born on April 5, 1916 in Hong Kong, China according to his World War II draft card.
On February 25, 1940 Lo was aboard the steam ship President Pierce when it departed Hong Kong. The passenger list said he had been with his father, Yuk Tong Lo, at 19 Kennedy Road in Hong Kong. Lo arrived in San Francisco, California on March 16, 1940. Lo’s destination was Parks Air College in East St. Louis, Illinois. His intention was to be in the United States for two years.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 7, 1940, said
... The spring term at Parks Air College opened April 1 with a record enrollment of 328 commercial students. Traveling 10,000 miles in search of aviation training was Hing Bun-lo of Hongkong, who enrolled in the maintenance engineering cours [sic]. Ashun Yung, also of Hongkong, entered Parks Air College last fall.On October 16, 1940 Lo signed his draft card. He gave his Hong Kong address 19 Kennedy Road. The student’s description was five feet seven inches, 150 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Lo enlisted in June 1943. At some point he was assigned to the 407th Air Service Squadron. Lo was not listed in Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993 or In the Shadow of the Tiger.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
EM’s Return from Detached ServiceGung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said
After a two weeks’ special course in the air service dept at Orlando, Fla., 9 EM’s returned to the 407th this week. The group consisted of T/Sgt Floyd Sam, S/Sgts Henry Wong, James Yee, Ton G. Lum and George Wong, Sgts Donald Y. Louie and Hing B. Lo, Pfcs Koonwah Lim and George M. Shue.
Sgt Louie reported that the Flordia [sic] sunshine gave him a good tan. But Pfc Shue, contrariwise, caught a cold instead.
T/Sgt Sam gave out that several of the boys, namely Lum, Louie, Lo and Lim, had occasion to visit Cypress Garden down yonder. It so happens that this place is our C.O.’s hometown, and the boys seriously thought of invading the latter’s home. But in a case of cold feet caught them and the idea was abandoned.
The boys also visited the movie set where the “Tarzan” pictures are made—and found out how Johnny Weismuller could climb those jungle trees so fast. No, they feel they can climb them just as dextrously [sic].
One of the highlights of the EM’s returning trip was the real Chinese meal they had in Jacksonville. Said Floyd: “We had sea-weed soup, Chinese style chicken, beef and tomatoes, bean cakes, etc. Boy, did we eat!”
10 EM’s Indiana-BoundGung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
Days ago, near Liberty, Ind. a B-25 was forced down in the middle of a corn field. To get it out it was deemed necessary to dismantle the plane part by part.
This week that job of dismantling was given to the 407th. Ten EM’s were picked for the task, and left for Indiana Tuesday, accompanied by WO T.A. Egnoski. This temporary duty is to last approximately 5 days, at the end of which some additional practical experience should have been gained by the men.
The 10 EM’s who went there: M/Sgt. Floyd Sam, S/Sgt Donald Louie, Sgt Hing Lo, Sgt Wm Toy, Cpl Koonwah Lim, Cpl Geo. Chow, Sgt Donald Poy, Sgt Fulton Yee, Cpl Andrew Goon, Pfc Woo H. Niy….
“Give Us Liberty—”Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
Sgt Hing Lo, alias the Professor, made quite a hit with the yound [sic] and old. His “Confucius says” and the way he walks attract the crowd. The professor was also the anchor man when he bowls—he weighs his team down.
4 EM Become American Citizens.
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. …
… 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. …
Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
....but far from tired was Sgt “professor” Hing B. Lo...he was tearing around downtown Dayton looking for, of all things, a razor...said he need another one...no, he didn’t find any..Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, featured caricatures by Pfc. Glenn Chinn.
….Sgt Hing B. Lo volunteered—yeah, actually—for KP Firday [sic] eve,…..on the promise he would get a weekend pass….he was happy till he was all finished….for then he found he was tagged as Sgt of the guard for next day…boy, was Lo low then….
It’s not clear when Lo was discharged. He was mentioned at the Museum of Chinese in America. After the war, Lo continued his studies at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
The Bradley Tech, January 23, 1947, said
Foreign Students OrganizeThe Bradley Tech, May 29, 1947, said
Hugh Norris and Paul Welch, both of Panama, head the newest organization on the campus, tentatively known as “Overseas Club.” The group is composed of Bradley students who came from foreign countries to study here.
Other officers include secretary, Hing Bun Lo, of Hong Kong, China, and treasurer, Ponce SaHagen, of the Philippine Islands.
Students Speak
Three members of the International Club, an organization of students attending Bradley whose homes are outside the United States, spoke at the meeting of Rotary Club of Varna, Illinois, recently.
Paul Welch spoke on “Life in the Canal Zone”, Hing Bun Lo talked about “Life in Hong Kong, China”, and Herman De Icaza spoke on “Life in the Republic of Panama”.
1947 Polyscope yearbook
1948 Polyscope yearbook
Lo traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii where he boarded a Pan American World Airways plane on October 31, 1955. He was flying to Tokyo, Japan. On September 22, 1956 Lo flew on Canadian Pacific Air Lines from Tokyo to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Refrigeration Engineering, January 1957, listed applicants for the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers membership.
Lo, Hing Bun, Engr, Yee on Hong Co Ltd, 7-E Ice House St, Hong KongEvidently Lo returned to Hong Kong and settled there. There are no more records of him in the United States.
GIN LONG
Gin Long was not listed in the Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993 and In the Shadow of the Tiger. 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.A military record for Gin Long has not been found. It’s possible his name was misspelled. There was a Gin Shew Ling born on February 5, 1918, in Canton, China and passed away on December 29, 1979, in San Francisco, California. He enlisted in the Army on February 11, 1943.
Another possibility is the surname was wrong; see profile for Gin Wong.
HOWARD C. LOO
Howard Chew Loo was born on January 20, 1921 in San Francisco, California according to his World War II draft card.
The 1930 United States census counted Loo as the youngest of six siblings. Their father, “Gou Quon Loo”, was a merchant of general merchandise. Their mother was Wong Shee. The family resided in San Francisco at 20 Waverly Place
In the 1940 census Loo was the youngest of four siblings. His father, “Gar Quen Loo”, was the bookkeeper at a retail store. The Loos lived at 1030 Clay Street in San Francisco.
Loo attended Polytechnic High School in San Francisco. He was on one of the basketball teams and a member of the Chinese Social Club. He graduated in December 1940.
On February 15, 1942 Loo signed his draft card. His address was the same. He was a shipfitter helper at Richmond Shipbuilding. Loo’s description was five feet five inches, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Loo enlisted on December 20, 1942.
The San Francisco Chronicle, January 3, 1943, published an article about Chinatown which mentioned Loo, a new inductee, and William J. Hoy at Camp Robinson, Arkansas.
Loo was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed L and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Howard C. Loo…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he was mentioned in the photograph caption on page 19.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
Basketball Game.Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 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.
….Now for some sidelights and sundry trivia gleaned from the squadron shindig Tuesday eve at the Loretto….It was a servicemen’s dream, with the gals outnumbering the men..,you just had to be there to believe it..the percentage of jitterbuggers, however, was low, according to some young ’uns from the U. of Dayton…but international relations were served by Pfc Howard Loo and Pfc Robert Jung, who were doing their duty by the RCAF feminine contingent….Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
Casaba Quintet Plays 11th Game.Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said Private First Class Loo was presented the Good Conduct Ribbon by Captain E.F. Brown.
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
MEN OF THE 407THGung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 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.
....Meanwhile Howard Loo is in a dither becuz his gal fran has sent him a letr [sic] in several parts ’n he’s got only the first part so far...Gung Ho, No. 23, August 5, 1944, said
...Howard C Loo is a beer drinker now, by gosh, depriving us veteran members of Alcoholics Synonymous of much needed additional rations...Loo was discharged on January 8, 1946 and returned to San Francisco. Loo is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. His son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Joyce, were Donors.
According to the 1950 census, Loo, his wife, Mildred, and two-year-old son, Christopher, lived in San Francisco at 1150 Hyde Street. He was a metal smith at the Naval Air Station.
Loo passed away on February 19, 2003. A death notice appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, February 22, 2003.
Loo, Howard Chew—Passed away on February 19 at the age of 82. Beloved husband of Mildred for 56 years. He is survived by sons Chris (Joyce) and Darryl (Jennifer), grandchildren Mike, Tim, Jessica and step-grandchild Terry. Funeral Service will be held February 25 at 3:00pm, Arthur J. Sullivan & Co. Funeral Home, 2254 Market Street, San Francisco, (415) 621-4567. Arrangements made by the Neptune Society. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the Visiting Nurses and Hospice, CPMC, 3360 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94118, telephone (415) 750-4404 or a charity of your choice.
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