HING G. NG
Hing Gim Ng was born on September 6, 1924 in “Toyshan, China” according to his World War II draft card.
Hing Gim Ng was born on September 6, 1924 in “Toyshan, China” according to his World War II draft card.
Thirteen-year-old Ng was aboard the steam ship Empress of Russia when it departed Hong Kong on May 7, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Wong Shee, at “Cheung Bin, Toishan, China”. He arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 30, 1938. Ng traveled by train to Halifax, Nova Scotia where he boarded the ship Fort Amherst on June 7, 1938. Two days later he arrived at the port of New York. Ng’s final destination was to his father, Shew Lim Ng, at 26 Mott Street in New York Chinatown.
Ng has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On December 21, 1942 Ng signed his draft card. His address was 108 60th Street in West New York, New Jersey. Sometime later the address was crossed out and replaced with Wing On Wo at 26 Mott Street in New York. Ng was a student at Memorial High School. His description was five feet nine inches, 172 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
Ng has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On December 21, 1942 Ng signed his draft card. His address was 108 60th Street in West New York, New Jersey. Sometime later the address was crossed out and replaced with Wing On Wo at 26 Mott Street in New York. Ng was a student at Memorial High School. His description was five feet nine inches, 172 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
Ng enlisted on April 14, 1943 according to his veteran’s file.
Ng was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Ng and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Hing G. Ng (Jimmy H. Gee)…..New York, New YorkIn the book he appeared in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
Pfc Hing Ng Featured in ASC PublicationGung Ho, No. 20, July 15, 1944, said
When the January 1944 issue of “Plane Facts,” publication of the Patterson field Air Service Command, came out this week, one EM in the 407th got a pleasant surprise.
The EM was Pfc Hing G. Ng, writing about the care and operation of an aircraft cannon, Lt C. E. Davidson featured Ng in a three page spread,. In six photos, Ng was shown cleaning, oiling and testing the weapon.
...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...Ng was discharged on January 9, 1946. He reenlisted in the Army Air Corps on January 29, 1946. Ng is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
...Believe it or not, but a traffic policeman in West New York (NJ) is looking high ’n low for Hing G Ng...Yessuh...in fact he’s been looking for the guy for some time. We hasten to report, however, that it’s all in friendship, for the policeman used to know Ng when the latter was a school boy back in the ole hometown and he was a junior traffic cop...
The 1950 census counted Ng in Virginia, Minnesota at the Holland Hotel, 119 Chestnut Street. He was waiter at a hotel and cafe. The previous year Ng resided in New York City.
Ng became a naturalized citizen on February 24, 1969. He changed his name to Jimmy Hing Gim Ng. His address was 388 Pearl Street in New York City.
Ng passed away on April 28, 1986 according to his veteran’s file. He obtained his Social Security number in California.
PONG S. NG
Pong S. Eng aka Ng See Pong was born on February 24, 1922 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Sunning, Kwangtung, China”.
Ten-year-old “See Pon Ng” was aboard the steam ship President Taft when it departed Hong Kong on March 5, 1932. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Wong Shee, at “Pon Lok Li, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. His father, Quock Leong Ng, provided an affidavit for his son’s entry. Ng arrived at Seattle, Washington on March 22, 1932 and was admitted March 28, 1932. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/3622. Ng’s final destination was to Moy Lai On, a friend, at 208 5th Street in Seattle.
1940 United States census counted Ng as one of ten partners in a restaurant. The men lived in Prescott, Arizona at 120 South Montezuma Street. Ng was a waiter.
Ng signed his draft card on June 30, 1942. His address was unchanged. He was a student. Ng’s description was five feet ten-and-a-half inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
PONG S. NG
Pong S. Eng aka Ng See Pong was born on February 24, 1922 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Sunning, Kwangtung, China”.
Ten-year-old “See Pon Ng” was aboard the steam ship President Taft when it departed Hong Kong on March 5, 1932. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Wong Shee, at “Pon Lok Li, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. His father, Quock Leong Ng, provided an affidavit for his son’s entry. Ng arrived at Seattle, Washington on March 22, 1932 and was admitted March 28, 1932. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/3622. Ng’s final destination was to Moy Lai On, a friend, at 208 5th Street in Seattle.
1940 United States census counted Ng as one of ten partners in a restaurant. The men lived in Prescott, Arizona at 120 South Montezuma Street. Ng was a waiter.
Ng signed his draft card on June 30, 1942. His address was unchanged. He was a student. Ng’s description was five feet ten-and-a-half inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Ng enlisted at San Francisco, California on April 22, 1943.
Ng was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Ng and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Pong S. Ng (Pong S. Eng)…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he appeared in a photograph on page 53 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said
...Talk about details, here’s one that was thrown on the willing shoulders of 12 GI’s on New Years Day...Having used the Loreto [sic] Club for our New Year Eve spree the place had to be policed up...so on New Year’s morn Pvts Nem Young [sic], Pong Ng, Wilbert Chung, Pfc’s Goy Chin, Harry King, Cpls Park Chin, John Ung, Ray Fong, Chee O. Der, Stephen Ng, Tonley Ju & S/Sgt. York Kao wore duly selected for this detail...the place was thoroly [sic] GI’d under the direction of 4 members of the club, feminine gender..then the detail was tendered a dinner with the fund remaining from the party...as guests they had the foregoing four ladies.......how nice!Written on Ng’s draft card was the discharge date January 8, 1946.
On April 7, 1949 Ng was aboard Alaska Airlines airplane N-66756. He had flown from Hong Kong, with stops at Tokyo, Shemya and Anchorage, to Everett, Washington.
According to the 1950 census “Jimmy Eng” and his wife, Grace, lived in Prescott, Arizona at 120 South McCormick. His brother, Bob Kang Eng, the head of household, was married with two sons. The brothers were part-owners of a restaurant.
Ng passed away on November 12, 1954 in Alameda, California. The California Death Index, at Ancestry.com, recorded his name three ways: Ng Pong S., See Pon Ng, and Jimmie S. Eng. He was laid to rest at Hoy Sun Ning Yung Cemetery.
SAM NG
Sam Ng was born on April 14, 1921 at “Toi San, China” according to his World War II draft card. His wife’s naturalization petition said his name was “Ng Git”, born on May 21, 1921 at “Ngon Pie Dae, Toyshan, Kwongtung, China”. The different dates can be explained in the Chinese-American Calendar for the 102 Chinese Years Commencing January 24, 1849, and Ending February 5, 1951. The chart below for 1921 is Chinese Republic 10th Year. Column 4 and number 14 in black correspond to May 21 in red. The lunar calendar numbers 4 and 14 were interpreted as April 14.
Eleven-year-old “Git Ng” and his older brother, Poy Ng, were aboard the steam ship President Coolidge when it departed Hong Kong on June 21, 1932. Ng’s father, Ng Yau Hing, provided an affidavit for his entry. Ng had stayed with his mother, Louie Shee, at “Ngan Pai, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. His brother was with his wife. The brothers arrived at San Francisco, California on July 11, 1932. His brother was admitted upon arrival. Ng joined him on October 17, 1932. Their contact in San Francisco was Yew Chor Ng at Kong Chong Wing, 628 Clay Street. The brothers’ final destination was Austin, Texas.
Ng has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On February 16, 1942 Ng signed his draft card. His address was the Gem Cafe in Winnemucca, Nevada. He was described as five feet six inches, 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
“Sam Ng” enlisted in the Army Air Corps at San Francisco on October 23, 1942.
Ng was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed N and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Sam Ng…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he appeared in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
In December 1944 Ng was hospitalized and treated with penicillin.
After the war Ng returned to California.
In 1948 Ng traveled to China and married King Chan Wong. Her naturalization petition said the marriage was at Hong Kong on July 3, 1948. The couple was aboard the ship General M.C. Meigs when it departed Hong Kong on August 22, 1948. They arrived at San Francisco on September 9, 1948. Ng’s San Francisco address was 1048 Montgomery Street.
The 1950 census counted Ng, his wife and two daughters, Elaine and Melina, in San Francisco at 546 Grant Avenue. He was a metalsmith at the Naval Air Station.
Ng’s wife was naturalized on February 19, 1957. Their address was 2487 26th Avenue in Oakland. They had four children: Elaine, Melina, Amy, and David.
He might be the Sam Ng who was a real estate agent with Hom Realty during early 1961.
Additional information about Ng has not been found.
WILLIAM C. NG
William Chong Ng was born on June 4, 1924 at Portsmouth, New Hampshire according to his World War II draft card. Find a Grave has the date June 5, 1924 but June 4, 1924 appears on the headstone.
The 1930 United States census counted Ng as the sixth of eight siblings. Their parents were Din Wah Ng, a restaurant keeper, and Moy Shee. The family lived at 105 Bridge Street in Portsmouth. (The enumerator recorded Wah as the family name.)
The same address was recorded in the 1940 census. The family name was spelled Eng.
Ng signed his draft card on June 30, 1942. His address was unchanged. He was described as five feet seven inches, 136 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Ng enlisted at Manchester, New Hampshire on April 28, 1943.
The Boston Herald, September 16, 1943, said Ng’s sister, Miriam was training at Worcester City Hospital to become a nurse. The article named her three brothers “who are in the Army Signal Corps, Pfc. Hing C. Ng, Pvt. Chong Gow Ng and Pvt. William C. Ng.”
Ng was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Ng and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
William C. Ng…..Portsmouth, New HampshireThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
….on t’other hand Cpl Richard Gee sure managed to sabotage a duo of wolves who wanted to meet his date the other nite….ask Sgt Andy Kan and Cpl Bill Ng for the story….Sergeant Ng was discharged on January 9, 1946 and returned to Portsmouth.
Ng had not been found in the 1950 census.
According to the Portsmouth Herald, June 13, 1953, Ng was elected president at the Portsmouth Shipyard Apprentice and Alumni Association meeting at the VFW Hall in Kittery.
Ng passed away on June 16, 1969. The Citizen Register (Ossining, New York), June 17, 1969, reported the car accident.
Car Hurtles Divider Kills 2nd DriverNg was laid to rest at Rye Central Cemetery. The veteran’s marker application was filed by his widow, Lily Lam Ng, 376 Coolidge Drive in Portsmouth.
Pelham Manor—A New Hampshire man was killed when a car mounted a wooden temporary divider and crashed head-on into his auto on the New England Thruway in a construction area in Pelham Manor yesterday.
Pronounced dead at the scene was William C. Ng, 45, of Portsmouth. Troopers said that papers found on him indicated he worked at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine.
The driver of the second car, Mildred Shaw, 44, of 675 E. 165 St., the Bronx, suffered multiple lacerations and contusions of the body. She was taken to New Rochelle Hospital. …
LEE S. NGEW
Lee Shuck Ngew was born on October 19, 1922 in China according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”. He was a paper son who immigrated as “Shuck Ngew Lee”. His real family name was Tom. He will be referred to as Ngew.
Ngew’s Canadian passenger records have not yet been found. In late December 1937 Ngew was aboard a Canadian Pacific steam ship when it departed Hong Kong. In January 1938 he arrived at Victoria or Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where he traveled by train to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The New York passenger list said Ngew was aboard the ship Fort Amherst when it departed on January 24, 1938. (When Ngew was in China he lived with his mother, Wong Shee, at “Tung Hon, Toyshan, Kwangtung”.) Two days later he was at the port of New York. After an investigation Ngew was admitted on February 17, 1938. His final destination was to Wing Yu Yuen, at 41 Mott Street in New York Chinatown. A profile of Ngew was posted at the New York Historical’s website. Ngew and his father operated a laundry in Manhattan on Broadway at 125th Street.
Ngew has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Ngew signed his draft card. His address was 3210 Broadway in Manhattan. He worked with his father, Lee Sen Hing. Ngew’s description was five feet nine inches, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Ngew’s basic training was at Fort Dix. He transferred to Patterson Field, Ohio then to Springfield, Illinois where the 407th Air Service Squadron was based.
Ngew was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Ngew and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Lee S. Ngew (Shuck Ngew Tom)…..New York, New YorkIn the book he appeared in a photograph on page 53 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 Ngew was promoted to Corporal.
Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said Ngew was presented the Good Conduct Ribbon by Captain E.F. Brown.
The profile said Ngew was discharged in 1945. Shuck Ngew (Lee) Tom is on the U.S. Army Veterans Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
“Shuck Ngew Lee” was aboard the steam ship Marine Lynx when it departed New York on September 12, 1947. He arrived at Los Angeles on September 26, 1947. The profile said Ngew went to China and got married. Records of his return to New York have not been found.
About his family the profile said
… Together they settled in Far Rockaway, working in a laundry for sixteen years. They had three children and finally settled in Forest Hills. He was able to save enough money to buy a house and put all his children through college. He finally changed his name back to Shuck Ngew Tom.There are a few pages of a Chinese language profile of Ngew here.
… He became very involved in veteran affairs and was a member of the American Legion, Lt. Kimlau Chinese Memorial Post 1291. https://www.ltkimlau.com He was also Commander in 1996. …
Ngew passed away in February 2011.
WOO H. NIY
Woo Hong Niy aka Lewis Woo Yee was born on September 11, 1922 in Canton, China according to his World War II draft card. His naturalization petition said his birthplace was “Hong How Village, Hoisun, Canton, [China]”.
Fourteen-year-old “Hong Nui Woo” was aboard the steam ship President Grant when it departed Hong Kong on October 10, 1936. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Hom Shee, at “Tong How, Hoiping, Kwongtung, China”. His father was Lin Sing Woo. Niy arrived at Seattle, Washington on October 28, 1936 and admitted on February 4, 1937. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/9210. In Seattle Niy was to meet a friend, Yee Woo Keang, at 660 King Street. Niy’s final destination was Houston, Texas.
Niy has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Niy signed his draft card. His Houston address was 3101 Telephone Road. He was a student at the Aero Engine School. Niy’s description was five feet two inches, 120 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Niy’s naturalization petition said he enlisted on May 28, 1943. A brief profile of Niy, as Lewis Woo Yee, appeared in the 1996 book, Chennault’s Flying Tigers: World War II 50th Anniversary. It said he enlisted on May 21, 1943.
Niy was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Niy and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Woo H. Niy…..Houston, Texas
In 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
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. 7, February 4, 1944, said Private First Class Niy was promoted to Corporal.
The address books of Sgts Fulton Yee, Donald Poy and Woo H. Niy are now worth confiscating. They enjoyed farming for a day under the guidance of a pretty farmerette. We didn’t catch the name, but her initials are Miss Ruth West.
Niy appeared in a photograph published in the East Liverpool Review (Ohio), February 22, 1944.
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Gung Ho, No. 12, March 10, 1944, said
407th In The News.Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
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.
....Sgt Donald C Poy, who’s so proud of the dee-rightful pin-up gals and good books his staff-room contains, sez he reads the Bible before turning in each nite....Cpl Woo H Niy could do likewise, since a femme down Texas way sent him a Bible recently....The profile said Niy (Staff Sergeant Yee) was discharged on January 6, 1946. He was pictured in The Memoir 1947 (see Group 36) which was published by the Chick Char Club, San Francisco, California. Niy is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. His family are Gold Medal Circle supporters. Lewis Woo Yee is on page 333 of the Digital Program Booklet Volume One.
On February 9, 1947 Niy married Roberta Woo in Houston.
Niy has not been found in the 1950 census.
The 1954 Houston city directory listed Niy as Lewis W. Yee at 212 Kelly. He was associated with the China Star Cafe.
On Niy’s naturalization petition he said his true name was Yee Hong Niy. On August 1, 1962 he was naturalized under the name Lewis Woo Yee.
Niy passed away on September 29, 2023. Dignity Memorial said
Lewis Woo Yee, of Houston, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on September 29, 2023 at the age of 101.
A memorial service open to the public will be held at Chinese Baptist Church located at 900 Brodgen Rd., Houston, Texas, 77024 on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 10 am.
Donations in lieu of flowers in memory of Lewis Woo Yee can be made to Chinese Baptist Church or the donor’s favorite charity.
A visitation for Lewis will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home, 13001 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77079. A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023 at 10 AM at Chinese Baptist Church, 900 Brogden Rd, Houston, TX 77024.
Further Reading
Fort Bend Star, September 13, 2021
The Yee Fung Toy Global Village Voice, September 15, 2021, Congressional Gold Medal Presented to Chinese American WWII veteran—Lewis W. Yee (scroll to bottom)
Library of Congress, Lewis Woo Yee Collection
Taiwan, Republic of China, November 2, 2016, see second photograph
Rice University, Interview—Lewis Yee
WONG H. ON
Wong Hong On aka Hong On Wong was born on October 28, 1923 in “Hoy Son, China” according to his World War II draft card.
Four-year-old “Hong On Wong” was aboard the steam ship President Pierce when it departed Hong Kong on August 21, 1928. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Lau Shee, at “Sai On, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. He arrived at Seattle, Washington on September 10, 1928. On was investigated and admitted on December 14, 1928. His final destination was to his father, Share Lung Wong, at 646 14th Street in Oakland, California.
On has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 On unsigned his draft card. His Oakland address was 614 Jackson Street. He worked at the Richmond Shipyard. On’s description was five feet four inches, 114 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
On was in New York city when he enlisted on May 4, 1943.
On was on page 73 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed On and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Wong H. On (Hong On Wong)…..Oakland, CaliforniaThe squadron’s publication, 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
…Sa-ay, Pfc Howe T. Jay cuts quite a figure on the skating rink, as we saw t’other nite in Dayton. With one arm around a pretty lass and a happy grin on his boyish face, he wheels around the rink with the greatest ease……while beyond the railing there was Pvt Wong On trying hard to maintain a vertical position and maneuver his skates at the same time….
…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…On’s veteran’s file said he was discharged on January 6, 1946.
On January 3, 1947 On began his travel to China. At Hong Kong he married King Sau Moy. They had stayed with Moy Shee, an aunt, at 307 Des Vous Road in Hong Kong. The couple was aboard the ship General William H. Gordon when it departed Hong Kong on March 7, 1948. They arrived at San Francisco on March 25, 1948. On’s address was 622 Alice Street in Oakland.
On has not been found in the 1950 census. At some point he moved to New York City.
On had six sons: William, Steven, Stanley, Edward, Chester and Ning.
On’s wife became a naturalized citizen on March 3, 1963. Their address was 56 Elizabeth Street in New York Chinatown.
On passed away on July 28, 1997. The Social Security Death Index said his last residence was New York City.
ELWIN W. ONG
Elwin Wah Ong was born Wah S. Ong on September 6, 1923 in San Francisco, California according to his birth certificate. His Christian name, Elwin, appeared in the 1940 United States census.
The 1930 United States census counted “Wah S. Ong” as the sixth of seventh siblings. Their parents were Foon, an employment agency manager, and Chew Shee. The family lived in San Francisco at 31 Brenham Place.
The 1940 census said the Ong family were San Francisco residents at 40 Wentworth Street.
On June 30, 1942 Ong signed his World War II draft card. His address was the same. He worked at the Richmond Shipyard. Ong’s description was five feet four inches, 135 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Ong’s veteran’s file said he enlisted on March 4, 1943.
Ong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Ong and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Elwin W. Ong…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he was mentioned on pages 15 and 76. He appeared in photographs on pages 8 and 19.
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. 9, February 18, 1944, said
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 Elwin 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.
MEN OF THE 407TH—The Shanghai Evening Post and Mercury (New York, New York), February 25, 1944, said
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.
Ohio Airmen Edit Gung Ho, Chinese-English News SheetGung Ho, No. 11, March 3, 1944, said
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 ...”
New “Gung Ho” Staff Members.Gung Ho, No. 13, March 17, 1944, said
Pfc Elwin W Ong is responsible for most of the mechanical drawing work in “Gung Ho.” His fancy bamboo borders and lanterns give a distinctive mark to the publication not seen in other GI news-sheets. Next to his skill as an orchestra drummer, he has done plenty of drafting and poster work back home in Frisco’s Chinese YMCA.
....Pfc Elwin W Ong just parted with his tonsils....but he didn’t entirely escape from working while convalescing....not as far as “Gung Ho” was concerned...The mimeoscope https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimeoscope and so forth were dispatched to him at the hospital so he wouldn’t be deprived of the joy of drawing up bamboo borders and decoration on the stencils....Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
….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, Pfc 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….Ong was discharged on January 7, 1946 and returned to San Francisco.
According to the 1950 census Ong was in San Francisco at 40 Wentworth Street. He was employed at the post office handling special delivery mail.
On May 21, 1964 Ong married Joan E. Doyle at Carson City, Nevada.
Ong claimed his Social Security benefits on May 4, 1967.
Ong passed away on March 19, 2004. The Social Security Death Index said his last residence was San Francisco.
ALLEN K. PANG
Allen Kwong Pang aka Sun Kwong Pang was born on April 8, 1924 in Dublin, Mississippi according to his World War II draft card.
Pang has not been found in the 1930 United States census.
On November 14, 1931 “Sun Kwong Pang” and his brother, “Sun Yet Pang”, began their trip from Mississippi to China. Fourteen-year-old Pang and his brother were aboard the steam ship Empress of Canada when it departed Hong Kong on April 29, 1938. The passenger list said they stayed with their mother, Lor Shee, at “Fu Cho Village, Toi Shan, China”. The brothers arrived on May 18, 1938 at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where they transferred to the ship Princess Victoria which took them to Seattle, Washington the same day. They were admitted two days later. Pang’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/2997. Their final destination was to their father, Cheung Pang, in Dublin, Mississippi.
The 1940 census counted Allen Pang as the second of six siblings. They lived with their mother, Jing Pang, in Seattle at 610 8th Avenue South.
Pang graduated from Franklin High School.
Tolo 1942 yearbook
Tolo 1943 yearbook
“Interests: music, mathematics, science,
“Interests: music, mathematics, science,
basketball. Ambition: Air Corps.”
On June 30, 1942 Pang signed his draft card. His Seattle address was 334 2nd North. He was still in high school. Pang was described as five feet six inches, 120 pounds, with brown eyes and hair.
Pang enlisted in the Army and later assigned to the 407th Air Service Squadron.
Pang was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Pang and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Allen K. Pang…..Seattle, WashingtonThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
….nomination for most successful goldbrick: Pfc Allen Pang. But S/Sgt Larry Fong avers he’ll catch the guy yet…Gung Ho, No. 10, February 25, 1944,
MEN OF THE 407TH—Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
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:
Pfc Allen K. Pang, violinist, has been going through an appreticeship [sic] in the classics from Seattle[,] Washington to Patterson Field. On the other hand, Cpl William Hing has been tooting on his clarinet right here in the Buckeye state, for he comes from Cleveland, Ohio. His dexterity with the clarinet comes from playing with his high school orchestra.
.... Floyd Sam has dragged out his precious radio, and jive-hungry EM have been treated to jive from the states after all these months, & Allen K Pang, getting news of a hometown (Seattle) at last, learned that his brother S/Sgt Sun Pang was in on the D-Day invasion of Europe as a waist-gunner on a B-17..The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, January 16, 1946, published a list of soldiers and sailors returning home. Among the group was “Cpl. Allen K. Pang, 1316 Yesler Way.”
Pang has not been found in the 1950 census.
In December 1950 Pang graduated from the University of Washington. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Arts and Sciences.
Seattle city directories from 1948 to 1958 listed Pang’s address as 120 14th Avenue. Beginning in the early 1950s Pang was a salesman at Vincent D. Miller Inc., a realtor.
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, May 6, 1963, reported the Food Circus at the Seattle Center. An International Bazaar was added. Representing Hong Kong was Pang’s exhibit, “Teresa of Hong Kong”, which offered made-to-order fashions such was handbags, scarfs, dolls and paintings from Hong Kong.
Pang married Teresa Wen Wah Hu on August 24, 1963.
The Seattle Daily Times, April 14, 1970, noted the upcoming opening of Pang’s Imports, an Oriental import store, in Bellevue.
The Seattle Times, December 13, 1993, said Pang, after 35 years, was closing Teresa of Hong Kong.
Pang passed away on December 16, 2000. He was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery.
JOSEPH C. PON
Joseph Chin Pon was born on March 1, 1917 in Waterbury, Connecticut according to his World War II draft card.
The 1920 United States census said “Joseph Chin” was the oldest of two children born to American-born Charles (California) and Lucy (Pennsylvania). His father operated a laundry. The family were Waterbury residents at 196 North Main Street.
In the 1930 census “Joseph Chin” and his sisters, Helen and Jane, lived with their parents at 188 North Main Street in Waterbury.
Pon was counted twice in the 1940 census. “Joseph Chin” was counted with his parents and sisters at the same Waterbury address. His occupation was butler. “Joseph Pons” was a servant in Cheshire, Connecticut. His employer was John Walker, vice-president of a horn company. They lived on Main Street.
On October 16, 1940 Pon signed his draft card. His Waterbury address was 188 North Main Street. He was employed by John Walker. Pon’s description was five feet nine inches, 150 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
The newspaper, Waterbury Democrat, August 14, 1941, said Pon was named to fill Selective Service Board 15A’s quota. At the time Pon was an employee of the Scovill Manufacturing Company. The Waterbury Democrat, August 20, 1941, said Pon was admitted to the Army at the Hartford, Connecticut induction center.
At Fort Devens, Massachusetts Pon enlisted in the Quartermaster Corps on September 4, 1941.
The Waterbury Democrat, January 30, 1942, said Pon was stationed at Chanute Field, Illinois. The Waterbury Democrat, June 6, 1942, said Private First Class Pon completed the two-months course at the School for Bakers and Cooks at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.
The Waterbury Democrat, January 13, 1944, said Pon’s sister, Lieutenant Helen Pon, arrived in North Africa with an Army Nurse unit. Corporal Pon was at Springfield, Illinois.
Pan was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed P and his hometown in 1945 on page 216.
Joseph C. Pon…..Waterbury, ConnecticutThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 10, February 25, 1944, said
3 New EM Join 407th.The Waterbury Democrat, September 16, 1944, Corporal Pon was in China under the command of General Stillwell.
This week three more new men joined the squadron. All of them transferred here from the 555th Service Squadron at Florida. They are:
Cpl Joseph Pon, of Waterbury, Conn. He has already served 29 months in the army, and is now a trained heavy equipment auto operator.
The Waterbury Democrat, January 21, 1946, said Pon’s sister, Helen, was married to Captain Onyett and both had separated from the Army in January. Pon arrived at Tacoma, Washington on December 23, 1945.
The Waterbury Democrat, January 18, 1946, said Pon was discharged at the Fort Devens Separation Center. The Waterbury Democrat, January 26, 1946, said
... Pon was in the AAF for 36 months and served in the China-Burma-India Theater for 18 months with the 14th Service Group, 14th Air Force. He served in various parts of Burma, Ledo Road and at Kunming. He was awarded two battle stars for the evacuation of K[w]eilin and the other for helping to deliver supplies to Cheicking [Chihkiang] when the Japanese surrender there.The 1946 Waterbury city directory listed Pon at 10 South Elm Street.
Pon traveled to China where he married Yee Ah Fan in Canton on September 16, 1948 according to the American Consulate General marriage certificate.
The couple was on Philippine Air Lines, flight 303, when it departed Hong Kong on November 13, 1948. Their destination was San Francisco. Pon’s address was 24 Peabody Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
According to the 1950 census Pon, his wife, Edna, and daughter, Linda, lived in Brooklyn, New York at 112 4th Walk. He operated a laundry.
A public record said Pon moved, at some point, to Flushing, New York.
Pon passed away on August 19, 1994.
SAN PON
San Pon was born on April 6, 1915 in “Nam Young Lee, Hoiping, China”. The birth date was on his World War II draft card. The birthplace was recorded on a passenger list.
Nineteen-year-old “Quock San Pon” was aboard the steam ship President McKinley when it departed Hong Kong on September 29, 1934. The passenger list said he had stayed with his grandmother, Joe Shee, in “Nam Young Lee Village”. Pon arrived at Seattle, Washington on October 17, 1934. He was admitted on December 18, 1934. Pon’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/7020. His final destination was to his father, Yee Lee Pon, at 2334 Junction Avenue in Detroit, Michigan.
On October 16, 1940 Pon signed his World War II draft card. His Detroit address was 8431 Harper. He operated a laundry. Pon’s description was five feet three inches, 121 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Pon enlisted on June 2, 1941.
Pon was not listed in either 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
...Greetings to the 4 new men who joined the 407th this week. They are Cpl Eugene Szeto and Pvt Gem Y. Lee of New York, Cpl San Pon of Detroit, and Cpl William J Hoy of San Francisco....and Pfc Hanson Siu was transferred to the 555th Squadron at Springfield, Illinois........It’s not known how long Pon served with the 407th. Additional information about Pon has not been found.
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