HARDING WONG
Harding Ben Wong was born on June 28, 1922 in Rosedale, Mississippi according to his World War II draft card. The month was incorrect. Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, his wife’s naturalization petition and a public record said the month was January. His middle name was on a passenger list.
Wong’s father sent his five children to China. The first to leave was Wong on October 1, 1926. His Seattle, Washington Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 30/2949.
Wong, still in China, was counted in the 1930 United States census. He was the second of five siblings. Their father was a merchant who handled general merchandise. The family lived in Rosedale.
Wong’s siblings Alex, 19, Helen, 15, Hardie, 10, and Toannie, 7, left for China on October 10, 1936.
Fifteen-year-old “Ngin Jick Harding Ben Wong” and his four siblings were aboard the steam ship President McKinley when it departed Hong Kong on October 23, 1937. They had been with their aunt, Lor Wong Shee, at “11 Tuck On Road, Tungshan, Canton, China”. The siblings arrived at Seattle on November 10, 1937 and admitted the same day. Wong’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/10485. Their final destination was to the Wong Ben Company in Rosedale, Mississippi.
In the 1940 census Wong was the second of eight siblings. The Wongs were Rosedale residents. Wong’s father operated a grocery store.
On June 30, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His residence was the same. He was described as five feet three inches, 128 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Harding Ben Wong was born on June 28, 1922 in Rosedale, Mississippi according to his World War II draft card. The month was incorrect. Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, his wife’s naturalization petition and a public record said the month was January. His middle name was on a passenger list.
Wong’s father sent his five children to China. The first to leave was Wong on October 1, 1926. His Seattle, Washington Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 30/2949.
Wong, still in China, was counted in the 1930 United States census. He was the second of five siblings. Their father was a merchant who handled general merchandise. The family lived in Rosedale.
Wong’s siblings Alex, 19, Helen, 15, Hardie, 10, and Toannie, 7, left for China on October 10, 1936.
Fifteen-year-old “Ngin Jick Harding Ben Wong” and his four siblings were aboard the steam ship President McKinley when it departed Hong Kong on October 23, 1937. They had been with their aunt, Lor Wong Shee, at “11 Tuck On Road, Tungshan, Canton, China”. The siblings arrived at Seattle on November 10, 1937 and admitted the same day. Wong’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/10485. Their final destination was to the Wong Ben Company in Rosedale, Mississippi.
In the 1940 census Wong was the second of eight siblings. The Wongs were Rosedale residents. Wong’s father operated a grocery store.
On June 30, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His residence was the same. He was described as five feet three inches, 128 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong enlisted at Fort McClellan, Alabama on November 25, 1942.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Harding Wong.…..Rosedale, MississippiIn 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 Wong was promoted to Corporal.
Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
…Now for our Dept. of Romance & Similar Nonsenses: …And the question bothering Cpl Harding Wong’s slumber these nites is: will it be Ruth of Virginia?….
Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
…..And Cpl Harding Wong has made his final decision…it’s to be Virginia….Gung Ho, No. 6, January 28, 1944, said
….Two squadron EM having their birthday on the 28th are Cpl Harding Wong and Pfc Herbert J. Lee…..Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said Corporal Wong was presented the Good Conduct Ribbon by Captain E.F. Brown.
Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
...When we opened the mess hall as a dayroom t’other nite the first patron was Harding Wong...Gung Ho, No. 23, August 5, 1944, said
Harding Wong glued together the wings of two dragon flies...just to see if they could fly in formation: man’s inhumanity to insects...Wong was discharged on January 8, 1946. Wong is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. He and his brother, Alex, are on page 281 of the Digital Program Booklet Volume One.
On April 18, 1947 Wong sailed to China. He married Peggy (Pei Kuen) Liu in Shanghai on July 26, 1947. They stayed with her father, Liu Mon Hong, at 25/1545 Szechuen Road in Shanghai. The couple was aboard the ship General William H. Gordon when it departed Shanghai on August 24, 1947. They arrived at San Francisco on September 8, 1947. Wong’s address was 609 Vance Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee.
According to the 1950 census Wong and his wife were Houston, Texas residents at 1703 Hardy Street. He was a grocer. At 1707 was his brother, Alex, and his family. Their parents and two siblings were nearby at 1713.
Wong’s wife became a naturalized citizen on July 18, 1955.
Wong’s father passed away on September 8, 1970; his mother on November 6, 1974; and wife on November 28, 2010.
Wong passed away on October 24, 2011.
HARRY Q. WONG
Harry Quong Wong was born on August 19, 1921 in San Francisco, California according to his World War II draft card. The California Birth Index, at Ancestry.com, recorded his name as Hung Q. Wong. His mother’s maiden name was Haw.
The 1930 United States census counted Wong as the youngest of four siblings. Their parents were Walter Fie Wong and Haw Shee. They were San Francisco residents at 725 Stockton Street.
In the 1940 census Wong was living with his sister, Daisy, and her family in San Francisco at 1239 Washington Street. His brother-in-law was Thomas W. Chinn.
On February 16, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 1005 Powell Street #12. He was employed at the Mare Island Navy Yard. Wong’s description was five feet six inches, 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong enlisted on June 4, 1943. Soon afterward Wong married Violette King Lowe.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Harry Q. Wong.…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he appeared in photographs on pages 19 and 53.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said Private First Class Wong was promoted to Corporal.
Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said
A Round Dozen.
The 407th casaba quintet this week chalked up another victory in the Paterson Field intra-squadron basketball series.
Playing its 12th game against the 1st Plant Maintenance Squadron, our team came through with a score of 36 to 24, thus eliminating another opponent.
Murphy Quan continued sinking the goals, logging 19 points for this game. This brings his league totals now to 124 points and puts him among the top three players in this series. Albert Fong chalked up 9 points and brought his total score up to 68 points.
This game was marked throughout with plenty of floorwork and rough and tumble playing. At one point Harry Q. Wong, jumping up to retrieve the ball from under the basket, was clipped on the head by an opponent, and sent sprawling to the floor, completely K. O’d.
With about three more games in the series to be played off, the 407th has an even chance of getting up to the top five. It is now in six[th] place. As for individual high scoring, Murphy Quan has more than an even chance to be the top scoring man in the entire series. The ex-star player of the former crack Nom Wah basketball team in San Francisco is doing all right.
....Then, of course, there was the clip on the head Harry Q. Wong got when he played basketball t’other nite at the post gym....the opposing team was so rough two guys grabbed for Harry when he went after the casaba under the basket....he was knocked for a loop and went out....cold....
Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
According to the 1950 census Wong, his wife, daughter, Janice, and son, Stephen, were Oakland residents at 1520 East 14th Street. Wong was an assistant mail clerk at the post office.
Wong passed away on November 1, 1991. A death notice appeared in the San Francisco Examiner, November 3, 1991.
HENRY WONG
Henry Wong was born on March 9, 1925 in Palo Alto, California according to the California Birth Index at Ancestry.com and his World War II draft card.
The 1930 United States census said Wong was the oldest of three siblings. Their parents were Wo Hop Wong, a waiter, and Chew Shee. They were Palo Alto residents at 225 Homer Avenue.
In the 1940 census Wong was the oldest of seven siblings who were John, Mabel, Harry, Shirley, Aster and Roger. Their father owned a restaurant. The family lived at 748 Ramona Street in Palo Alto.
On March 9, 1943 Wong signed his draft card. His Palo Alto address was 904 Ramona Street. He was a student. Wong’s description was five feet eight inches, 145 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
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.
...Congrats also to Cpl Harry Q. Wong...who received word Sunday that he too is a father....a healthy bouncing 9-lb of baby girl....After the war Wong returned to California.
According to the 1950 census Wong, his wife, daughter, Janice, and son, Stephen, were Oakland residents at 1520 East 14th Street. Wong was an assistant mail clerk at the post office.
Wong passed away on November 1, 1991. A death notice appeared in the San Francisco Examiner, November 3, 1991.
Wong, Harry Q. Called home by the Lord while in Redwood City on Friday, November 1, 1991 at age 70; he is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Violette; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/142181566/violette-k-wong four children, Janice, Stephen, Rita and Bruea, their spouses, Keye, Ellen, Groovy and Lisa, and seven grandchildren; he was a former commander of Amvets Post 78, and served in Squadron 407 in WWII. Funeral Services Tuesday, Nov. 5, 10 em. at the Evergreen Mortuary of McAvoy O’Hara Co., 10th Ave. Geary Blvd., S.F.Wong was laid to rest at Skylawn Memorial Park.
HENRY WONG
Henry Wong was born on March 9, 1925 in Palo Alto, California according to the California Birth Index at Ancestry.com and his World War II draft card.
The 1930 United States census said Wong was the oldest of three siblings. Their parents were Wo Hop Wong, a waiter, and Chew Shee. They were Palo Alto residents at 225 Homer Avenue.
In the 1940 census Wong was the oldest of seven siblings who were John, Mabel, Harry, Shirley, Aster and Roger. Their father owned a restaurant. The family lived at 748 Ramona Street in Palo Alto.
On March 9, 1943 Wong signed his draft card. His Palo Alto address was 904 Ramona Street. He was a student. Wong’s description was five feet eight inches, 145 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong enlisted on June 11, 1943.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Henry Wong.…..Palo Alto, CaliforniaIn the book he appeared in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55. He might be in the photographs on pages 20 and 30. He was mentioned as “Henry Wong 30” on page 16. In the Shadow of the Tiger said there were three enlisted men named Henry Wong. They were differentiated with the addition of the last two digits of their serial numbers to their names. Wong’s serial number was 39135030, so he was Henry Wong 30.
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. 6, January 28, 1944, said
....A Dayton drug-store salesgirl smiled upon Pvt Henry Wong (30)…..and the guy proceed to buy some candy kisses by the pound…She smiled twice, so he bought two pounds!….Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said Private Wong was promoted to Private First Class.
Gung Ho, No. 8, February 11, 1944, said
…So sorry about our item on Pvt Henry Wong-30 and his candy kisses last week which got him into hot water with a certain Annie…..Gung Ho, No. 11, March 3, 1944, said
....Strictly by accident, Pfc Henry Wong (30) gave himself a hot-foot....while cleaning the ashes from the furnace, he dropped some hot coals on the floor....yeh, and stepped on one of ’em....Gung Ho, No. 13, March 17, 1944, said
SQUADRON QUINTET WINS CONSOLATION TROPHYWong was discharged in January 1946 and returned to Palo Alto. Wong is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. His profile is on page 117 of the Digital Program Booklet Volume Two which, also, can be viewed here.
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.
In 1948 Wong married Frances Wong.
According to the 1950 census Wong, a waiter, was head of the household. He and his wife had a daughter, Corinne. His mother was a widow. With them were Wong’s six siblings at 904 Ramona Street in Palo Alto.
The 1954 Palo Alto city directory listed Wong as a carrier at the U.S. Post Office. He lived at 1119 Newbridge. The 1957 directory said Wong lived in Mountain View. The 1962 Mountain View city directory listed Wong 1364 Park Drive. He was a Post Office carrier.
Wong passed away on November 14, 1990. A funeral notice appeared in the San Jose Mercury News, November 16, 1990.
Wong, Henry “Hank”—in Mt. View, Wed., Nov. 14, 1990. Henry “Hank” Wong, beloved husband of Frances Wong of Mt. View. Loving father of Corinne “Corky” Wong Mau of Sacramento, Michael Wong of San Jose, Denise “Denny” Wong Gibo of San Jose, Laurie Wong Chee of Union City and Michele “Shelley” Wong Nakashima of San Jose. Grandfather of seven. Dear brother of John Wong of Newark, Harry Wong of Los Altos Hills, Roger Wong of Mt. View, Mable Low of Gilroy, Shirley Low of Gilroy and Esther Wong of Mt. View. A native of Palo Alto. Age 65 years.Wong was laid to rest at Alta Mesa Memorial Park.
Friends are invited to attend the memorial Services at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, November 18, 1990 at the Chapel of Roller & Hapgood & Tinney, 960 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto. Contributions to the Mid-Peninsula Care and Hospices Services, 201 San Antonio Circle, #105, Mt. View, CA 94040 preferred.
HENRY WONG
In the Shadow of the Tiger said
… Forty men were named Wong, and three had the same first name, Henry. To avoid confusion, the officers affixed the last two digits from the men’s serial numbers to their names. They became Henry Wong 13, Henry Wong 30, and Henry Wong 36.On page 217 was a fourth Henry Wong from Fresno, California. His serial number was 39698737.
Henry F. Wong was born on June 27, 1920, in Fresno, California, according to the California Birth Record at Ancestry.com. His parents were Charlie Warren Wong and Lai Wah Lee. Wong’s Social Security application said the middle initial “F” was added in January 1960.
The 1930 United States census counted Wong as the third of six siblings. His father was wholesale produce merchant. The Wongs were Fresno residents at 922 Mayor Street.
In the 1940 census the Wong family of nine were at the same address.
On July 1, 1941 Wong signed his World War II draft card. His Fresno address was unchanged. He was described as five feet eight inches, 140 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong enlisted on May 15, 1943.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Henry Wong.…..Fresno, CaliforniaThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
EM’s Return from Detached ServiceGung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said Staff Sergeant Wong was promoted to Technical Sergeant.
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!”
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...Wong was discharged on January 8, 1946. He is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. Wong is on page 295 of the Digital Program Booklet Volume One.
...Congrats are in order to the 30 EM who were up-graded last week, from Pfc’s to M/Sgt’s....T/Sgt Henry Wong didn’t even know he was promoted M/Sgt...for the simple reason he was busy in the hospital battling with chills & fever...
Wong returned to Fresno and married Doris May Woo in 1946.
The 1950 census said Wong and his wife had a three-year-old daughter, Gale. They lived in Fresno at 308 Ferger Avenue. Wong was the proprietor of a cafe and bar.
Wong passed away on February 24, 1990 in Reno, Nevada, according to the Nevada Death Index at Ancestry.com. A funeral notice appeared in the Fresno Bee, February 27, 1990.
Henry F. Wong
Graveside services for Henry F. Wong, 69, of Fresno will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Belmont Memorial Park. Mr. Wong died Saturday. He owned Shangri-La Restaurant on Belmont in Fresno for 40 years. Surviving are his wife, Doris; a son, Gary of Fresno; two daughters, Gale Hom and Carrie M. Wong, both of San Francisco; his stepmother, Yim Ping Wong of Fresno; two brothers, Toy Wong of Davis and Oliver Wong of Madera; three sisters, Beulah Moy of Cerritos, Gloria Lum of Salinas and Isabelle Hayase of Torrance; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Stephens Bean Chapel.
HENRY G. WONG
Henry Gung Wong was born on January 19, 1923 in China according to his World War II draft card.
Six-year-old “Gung Han Wong” was aboard the steam ship President Taft when it departed Hong Kong on March 12, 1929. The passenger list said his birthplace was “Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. He had stayed there with his grandmother, Tom Shee. Wong arrived at San Francisco, California on April 3, 1929 and admitted on April 13, 1929. His final destination was to Wong Fook, a cousin, at 845 Grant Avenue in San Francisco.
Wong has not been found in the 1930 and 1940 United States censuses.
On June 30, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His San Francisco address was 11 1/2 Brenham Place. He was described as five feet eight inches, 145 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong enlisted on June 19, 1943.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Henry G. Wong.…..San Francisco, CaliforniaIn the book he appeared in the photograph on page 19 and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55. He was mentioned as “Henry Wong 13” on page 16. In the Shadow of the Tiger said there were three enlisted men named Henry Wong. They were differentiated with the addition of the last two digits of their serial numbers to their names. Wong’s serial number was 39135513, so he was Henry Wong 13.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
Basketball Game.Gung Ho, No. 3, January 7, 1944, said Private First Class Wong was promoted to Corporal.
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.
Casaba Team WinsWong became a naturalized citizen on January 14, 1944. He changed his name from Gung Han Wong to Henry Gung Wong.
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.
Gung Ho, No. 5, January 21, 1944, said
In 1948 Wong traveled to China where he married Tom Kwan Fong in Hong Kong on September 9, 1948 according to her naturalization petition. The couple was aboard Philippine Air Lines, flight 301, when it departed Hong Kong on September 15, 1948. After a stop in Honolulu, Hawaii, the plane continued to San Francisco. Wong’s address was 11 1/2 Brenham Place in San Francisco.
Wong has not been found in the 1950 census. His occupation is not known.
Wong’s wife, Carol Kwan Wong, became a naturalized citizen on November 22, 1955. Their San Francisco address was 1066 Jackson Street. They had three daughters, Donna May, Lillian and Leslie.
Wong passed away on July 21, 1990 in San Francisco. A funeral notice appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, July 25, 1990.
HENRY S.Y. WONG
Henry Share Yan Wong was born on December 19, 1924 in Alameda, California according to his World War II draft card.
The 1930 United States census counted “Yan Wong” as the youngest of four siblings. Their parents were Kwong Wong, a grocery store merchant, and Yee Shee. The family lived in Alameda at 2327 Lincoln Avenue.
“Share Yan Wong” sailed from San Francisco, California on February 24, 1933 bound for China. Almost a year later he was aboard the steam ship President Wilson when it departed Hong Kong on January 17, 1934. The passenger list said he had stayed with his grandmother, Lee Shee, at “Chew Hing, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. Wong arrived at San Francisco on February 6, 1934 and admitted the same day. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 33703/008-09. Wong’s final destination was 2327 Lincoln Avenue in Alameda.
Wong has not been found in the 1940 census.
On December 26, 1942 Wong was in Oakland, California when he signed his draft card. His address was 616 1/2 Jackson Street which was crossed out and updated with 816 Oak Street. He was employed at Moores Ship Yard. Wong’s description was five feet three inches, 115 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
4 EM Become American Citizens.Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
Until last week Sgt Hing B. Lo, Cpl Paoling Deng, Pfc’s Mee Lun Lee and Henry G. Wong (13) were citizens of the Republic of China, though all of them have been in the U. S. Army for many months, one as long as 1 and a half years.
But last Friday the picture changed for this quartet of young Cantonese. In the courtroom of Federal District Judge Robert R. Nevin, in Dayton, these EM’s took their oaths of naturalization and became full-fledged U. S. Citizens. Looking at these new citizens, snappy in their uniforms of the U. S. Army, Judge Nevin decided it was not necessary to give these men his usual talk on the obligations of Citizenship on such an occasion. For these men were already assuming the obligation of citizenship of their newly adopted country.
Of the 4 men, Cpl Deng was the only one who also took this opportunity to change his Chinese name from Paoling into that of Bert. Cpl Deng hails from the Sun Hing district of Kwongtung province, and has been in the service since June, 1943.
Sgt Hing Lo, whose ancestral hearth is the Sam Yup district, although he was born in Hong Kong, has also been in the Army since June 1943.
Pfc’s Mee L. Lee and Henry G. Wong are natives of Toyshan district, which furnish most of the Cantonese immigrants to this country. Lee was inducted in April 1943, and Wong in June of the same year.
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.
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.
The Unlucky 13th.Gung Ho, No. 11, March 3, 1944, said
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.
....“In the Spring a young man’s fancy turns to....” etc.,etc...which probably explains the many dazed and vacuous expressions a few EM are wearing....and Pfc Henry “Sling” Wong, whose inspiration is down Cincinnati way....his song of the moment being “On the Isle of May”....which may be a clue to her name....After the war Wong returned to San Francisco. Wong may be on either the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List or the U.S. Army Veterans Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. There is at least one other veteran with the same middle initial G.
In 1948 Wong traveled to China where he married Tom Kwan Fong in Hong Kong on September 9, 1948 according to her naturalization petition. The couple was aboard Philippine Air Lines, flight 301, when it departed Hong Kong on September 15, 1948. After a stop in Honolulu, Hawaii, the plane continued to San Francisco. Wong’s address was 11 1/2 Brenham Place in San Francisco.
Wong has not been found in the 1950 census. His occupation is not known.
Wong’s wife, Carol Kwan Wong, became a naturalized citizen on November 22, 1955. Their San Francisco address was 1066 Jackson Street. They had three daughters, Donna May, Lillian and Leslie.
Wong passed away on July 21, 1990 in San Francisco. A funeral notice appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, July 25, 1990.
Wong, Henry G. (“Sling”)—July 21, 1990; beloved husband of Carol Wong; devoted father and father-in-law of Donna and Gordon Tom, Lillian and John Boller, Leslie and William Gomba, Shirley and Arthur Lee; loving grandfather of Brandon, Courtney, Alisha, Jenna, Jacqueline and Jennifer; brother and brother-in-law of Raymond and Helen, Rose Chin, George, William and Laroice, Harry and Julie.
Friends and relatives may call Thursday evening between 7–8 p.m. and are invited to attend the Funeral, Friday, 12 noon at the Green Street Mortuary, 649 Green Street. Donations to Hospice of the Bay, 1550 Sutter St. preferred.
HENRY S.Y. WONG
Henry Share Yan Wong was born on December 19, 1924 in Alameda, California according to his World War II draft card.
The 1930 United States census counted “Yan Wong” as the youngest of four siblings. Their parents were Kwong Wong, a grocery store merchant, and Yee Shee. The family lived in Alameda at 2327 Lincoln Avenue.
“Share Yan Wong” sailed from San Francisco, California on February 24, 1933 bound for China. Almost a year later he was aboard the steam ship President Wilson when it departed Hong Kong on January 17, 1934. The passenger list said he had stayed with his grandmother, Lee Shee, at “Chew Hing, Sunning, Kwangtung, China”. Wong arrived at San Francisco on February 6, 1934 and admitted the same day. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 33703/008-09. Wong’s final destination was 2327 Lincoln Avenue in Alameda.
Wong has not been found in the 1940 census.
On December 26, 1942 Wong was in Oakland, California when he signed his draft card. His address was 616 1/2 Jackson Street which was crossed out and updated with 816 Oak Street. He was employed at Moores Ship Yard. Wong’s description was five feet three inches, 115 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
At some point Wong enlisted.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Henry S.Y. Wong.…..Oakland, CaliforniaIn the book he was mentioned as “Henry Wong 36” on page 16. In the Shadow of the Tiger said there were three enlisted men named Henry Wong. They were differentiated with the addition of the last two digits of their serial numbers to their names. Wong’s serial number is not available, but he was Henry Wong 36. Wong appeared in photographs on pages 15, 16, 61 and 63.
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. 8, February 11, 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…..
….And Pvt Henry S. Y. Wong finally found out why prop blades are painted yellow….after all these months…Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944
Pfc. Henry S.Y. Wong
“The Oakland (Cal.) Mole”
by Pfc Glenn Chinn
Gung Ho, No. 23, August 5, 1944, said
.....The time has come to sing a word of praise for Henry SY Wong’s super shower..plenty of homemade showers are in evidence now, but Henry’s was one of the first & about the most slick...the way it’s constructed on a tree trunk, with a pulley system ’n real faucet—well, it’s so good we’ve been using it daily thass all...for another kind of shower without any fixain’s you just wait till it rains, then jump out of your clothes out under the dark clouds...just the way pill-roller Yow R Chinn did during that monsoon special t’other morn...It’s not known what Wong did after the war. According to the Social Security Death Index Wong passed away on March 13, 2005. Over the decades his name changed: September 1940, Share Yan Wong; March 14, 1985, Henry S. Y. Wong; and March 30, 2005, Henry S. Wong.
HERBERT WONG
Herbert Wong has not yet been identified. There were several soldiers with that name.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 22, July 22, 1944, said
....No news re the 1st Sgt’s monkey hunting expedition this week...he’s got a monk to play with right now, that’s why...the 1st/Sgt feeds it...Kwong D. Hom & Wah Louie walk it...Herbert Wong disciplines it...’n we cuss it becuz the so ’n so has gone & chewed up some Gung Ho drafting utensils...Wong was not listed in either Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993 or In the Shadow of the Tiger. Both publications said the 407th was in China when Wong fell asleep during guard duty. He was court-martialed and sent to the stockade at Sookerating, India for trial. Earlier he had been disciplined for other incidents. Wong was dishonorably discharged and sent to the United States.
HONG J. WONG
Hong June Wong aka John Hong Wong was born on August 28, 1924 in Kwangtung, China, according to his World War II draft card. A passenger list said his birthplace was in “Toyshan, Kwangtung, China”.
Fourteen-year-old Wong and his seventeen-year-old brother, Hong Way Wong, were aboard the steam ship Empress of Canada when it departed Hong Kong on October 14, 1938. They had been with their mother, Lee Shee, at “Lung Lok, Toishan, China”. The brothers arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on November 2, 1938. They transferred to the ship Princess Marguerite which took them to Seattle, Washington the same day. Both were admitted on January 31, 1939. Wong’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file numbers were 7030/11648 (Seattle) and 171, 240, box 541 (New York). Their final destination was to their father, Mon Chiu Wong, at 656 181st Street in New York City.
Wong has not been found in the 1940 census.
On December 11, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His address was 231-10 Merrick Road in Laurelton, Queens County, New York. He was described as five feet six inches, 127 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong enlisted on April 21, 1943.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
Hong J. Wong (John H. Wong)…..Laurelton, New YorkIn the book Wong appeared in the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55. He might be in the photograph on page 53.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 4, January 14, 1944, said
…Now for our Dept. of Romance & Similar Nonsenses: his pals want to know who’s the gal Pvt Hong J. Wong has been bowling around with in Cincinnati these past weekends?…Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, Private Wong was promoted to Private First Class.
After the war Wong returned to New York City. Wong is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
Wong began his trip to China on July 25, 1947. He married May Bow Lee. They were aboard the ship General M. C. Meigs when it departed Hong Kong on April 3, 1948. The couple had stayed with her father, Doo Hoy Lee, at 31 Tung Chong Street in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The couple arrived at San Francisco on April 20, 1948. Wong’s address was 231-10 Merrick Road in Rosedale, New York.
Wong has not yet been found in the 1950 census.
The Long Island News and the Owl (Rockville Centre, New York), December 28, 1979, named Wong’s four sons, Raymond, Peter, Kenneth and David, and said
Wong passed away on June 16, 2016. His obituary appeared in the Long Island Herald.
Wong has not yet been found in the 1950 census.
The Long Island News and the Owl (Rockville Centre, New York), December 28, 1979, named Wong’s four sons, Raymond, Peter, Kenneth and David, and said
John Wong is known to Rockville Centreites as a restauranteur. For the past 13 years, he has been the owner and genial host of the Palace of Wong Chinese Restaurant, on Sunrise highway here in Rockville Centre.Palace of Wong closed in October 2015.
Wong passed away on June 16, 2016. His obituary appeared in the Long Island Herald.
John H. Wong, 91
Longtime owner of Palace of Wong
John H. Wong, a resident of Rockville Centre since 1968 and longtime owner of the Palace of Wong restaurant, died on June 16. He was 91.
He was born on Aug. 28, 1924 in Tai Shan City in Guangdong, China. He was the owner and operator of the Palace of Wong for many years before passing on the responsibilities to his son, David, after which he continued to make appearances and greet longtime customers. Many of those same customers had followed him and his wife, Barbara, from their previous restaurant, Wong’s Garden on Merrick Road in Queens, a testament to their good food and the warm family atmosphere they created.
Wong was a longtime supporter of teams in the local youth leagues, born from his own love of sports. As a young, man he participated in a Chinatown volleyball league. He also bowled with his co-workers and employees after long working hours. He passed on his love of sports to his children, watching games together on or, if fortunate enough to score tickets, taking his younger sons David and Kenny and his wife to Knicks or Rangers games.
A veteran of WWII, he was an airfield supporter and mechanic for the famed Flying Tigers in Burma. He was a member of good standing in the American Legion post located in Chinatown for more than 60 years. In his retirement years, he was a more active Legionnaire, participating in various parades, traveling on outings, holding a leadership position and just enjoying the general camaraderie it offered with his many friends.
Most of all, Wong enjoyed his family, which greatly expanded over the years, as he and his wife were sponsors of nearly 40 relatives from China. He was married to Barbara for 50 years before her untimely passing in 1998.
Wong is survived by his four sons: Raymond (Denise), Peter (Michelle), David (Jackie), and Kenny (Mary). He has 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren scattered across the country.
Funeral services were held in Manhattan’s Chinatown over the weekend.
JAMES B. WONG
James Bok Wong was born on December 9, 1922 in China according to his World War II draft card. Who’s Who in the West 1987–1988 had the same birth date. However, Wong’s obituary had the birth date January 25, 1924. A passenger list said his birthplace was “Chung On Village, Hoi Ping, [Kwangtung], China” but his naturalization petition said “Taison, Kwangtung, China”.
Teenage “Bok Him Wong” was aboard the steam ship Empress of Asia when it departed Hong Kong on April 15, 1938. The passenger list said he had been with his mother, Chin Shee, at “Tin Lew Village, Sun Wui, China”. Wong arrived at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on May 2, 1938. He traveled by train to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia where he boarded the ship Evangeline on May 25, 1938. The next day he arrived at Boston, Massachusetts. Wong’s final destination was to his father, Chew Sin Wong, at Tick High Company, 24 Mott Street in New York Chinatown.
Wong has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His address was 152 East 27th Street in New York City. (After his discharge in 1946, the address was crossed out and replaced with P.O. Box 358, College Park, Maryland.) He was a student at Stuyvesant High School. Wong’s description was five feet eight inches, 130 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Wong graduated in 1943.
Wong enlisted on June 7, 1943.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 217.
James B. Wong…..New York, New YorkIn the book he was mentioned on page viii.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 12, March 10, 1944, said
….A “Snafu” casaba team has been orgainzed, migosh....with Cpl Eugene MonGoy and Pfc James Wong as co-managers, and captained by Cpl Kenneth Mah, with Sgt George Woong as alternate captain....Red shirts and black trunks are the colors of its uniform....But, oboyoboy, the Sanfu’s lost its debut game with the squadron official team by the tune of 40 to 4!!..Gung Ho, No. 20, July 15, 1944, said
...Herewith once more is our usual dish of il-literary beansprouts...It’s a far cry from Patterson Fld, Ohio to India, but chop suey is still chop suey wherever the locale..so here goes nothing...The World War II Hospital Admission Card File, at Ancestry.com, said Wong was treated in May 1944, and from March to April 1945.
...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...
Wong’s naturalization petition said he married Wai Ping Lim in Shanghai on August 3, 1946. She was aboard the U.S.A.T. David C. Shanks when it departed Shanghai on August 13, 1946. The ship arrived at San Francisco on August 27, 1946. Her destination was Wong’s address at 152 East 27th Street in New York City. Wong has not yet been found on a passenger list.
The petition said Wong was discharged on November 17, 1946. Wong is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project. A photograph of Wong is on page 194 of Duty & Honor: A Tribute to Chinese American World War II Veterans of Southern California (1997) and here.
Wong enrolled at the University of Maryland. He appeared in a photograph published in the Washington Post, October 22, 1948. He was one of seven honor students initiated into Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Maryland.
The Evening Star (Washington, DC), December 8, 1948, column three, said Wong was in the 1949 listings of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.”
Wong earned a Bachelor of Science in agriculture with Honors in June 1949 and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Honors in June 1950.
Wong went to the University of Illinois for graduate study and earned his Masters in Chemical Engineering in the summer of 1951. His 1954 dissertation was “Collection of Aerosols by Fiber Mats: I. Impaction on Single Cylinders (Metallic Wires). Ii. Collection Efficiency and Pressure Drop of Fiber Mats”.
Wong became a naturalized citizen on April 13, 1962. His address was 6509 West 6th Street in Los Angeles, California. At the time he was a Senior Planning Engineer who had three children, John, Jane and Julia. Wong changed his name from Yuk-jin Wong. One of the witnesses was Sew H. Chan of the 407th.
Wong was in Who’s Who in the West 1987–1988 and Who’s Who in the World 2013.
Wong authored two books, Jade Eagle (2000) and Silk Tiger (2008).
Wong was a donor to the Kunming Flying Tigers Museum.
Wong and others were honored at the “Salute to WWII China Veterans & Families” in Los Angeles, September 21, 2012.
Wong and his second wife, Betty Yeow, were honored at the Chinese American Museum 18th Annual Historymakers Awards Gala in 2014.
Wong passed away on May 25, 2018. His obituary appeared in the Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2018.
JAN W. WONG
Jan Wing Wong was born on September 24, 1923 in China according to his World War II draft card. The Social Security Death Index had the birth year 1924. A memorial notice had the date February 24, 1924. Passenger lists said his birthplace was “Toi San, Canton, China”.
Wong authored two books, Jade Eagle (2000) and Silk Tiger (2008).
Wong was a donor to the Kunming Flying Tigers Museum.
Wong and others were honored at the “Salute to WWII China Veterans & Families” in Los Angeles, September 21, 2012.
Wong and his second wife, Betty Yeow, were honored at the Chinese American Museum 18th Annual Historymakers Awards Gala in 2014.
Wong passed away on May 25, 2018. His obituary appeared in the Los Angeles Times, June 21, 2018.
Surrounded by family, Dr. James B. Wong recently passed away peacefully at the age of 94 after a brief illness.
Active for decades in the Chinese community of Los Angeles, James was well-known for his tireless efforts to promote higher education by providing scholarships to bright, deserving students through the Chinese American Citizen’s Alliance Foundation.
James’s life journey began when he fled war-torn China as a young teenager, making his way alone to New York City in the late 1930s. Originally placed in grade school because he only spoke Cantonese, he quickly advanced through the grades as he became more proficient with English. He finally graduated valedictorian from the prestigious Peter Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan in 1943.
James was drafted into the military upon completing high school and joined the 14th Air Force where he served as a bomb sight specialist stationed in China. Before being folded into the 14th Air Force, the 23rd Fighter Group was formed from the First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Chinese Air Force, nicknamed the “Flying Tigers.”
At the conclusion of World War II, James met and married Wai Ping Lim in Shanghai in 1946. They returned to the US where he began undergraduate studies at the University of Maryland, completing bachelor’s degrees in both Agricultural Engineering (1949) and Chemical Engineering (1950). Their first child, John, was born in 1948.
James continued his studies at the University of Illinois where he earned his doctorate in Chemical Engineering (1954). James’s first job was in Chicago with Standard Oil of Indiana, and while living in Illinois their second child, Jane, was born.
Seeking a milder climate, James moved the family in 1955 to Berkeley, Calif., where he took a position with Shell Development Corp., and the next year Julia was born. After living in Berkeley for six years, James relocated the family to Los Angeles when he took a job with Rexall Drug and Chemical Co. (later to be renamed Dart Industries) in 1961. While with Dart Industries, James headed up long range planning, and eventually he ascended to the position of Chief Economist.
He retired from Dart Industries in 1981, after which he formed a consulting firm primarily working with companies who were looking to form business relationships in China.
An important aspect of James’s life was his longtime involvement with the Chinese community in Los Angeles, primarily through the Chinese American Citizen’s Alliance (C.A.C.A).
Another enjoyable pastime involved participation in Flying Tiger reunions organized both in the United States and in China.
James enjoyed 55 wonderful years of marriage to Wai Ping until her passing in 2001. He was remarried in 2002 to Betty Yeow, who is also active in the Chinese community, and together they traveled extensively and shared many common interests.
James was predeceased by his first wife, Wai Ping Wong, and he is survived by their three adult children, Dr. John Wong (Roberta Boyer), Dr. Jane Yee (Dr. Bartley Yee), and Dr. Julia Ngan (Ben Ngan), six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Betty Yeow, her adult son Arthur Yeow and her grandson.
We would all like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of St. Vincent’s Medical Center involved with James’s care. Funeral services will take place Saturday, June 23rd, 10:30 am at Forest Lawn Glendale, Church of the Recessional. A viewing will take place in Forest Lawn Mortuary on Friday, June 22nd, 5 to 9 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to C.A.C.A. Foundation, 763 Yale St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.
JAN W. WONG
Jan Wing Wong was born on September 24, 1923 in China according to his World War II draft card. The Social Security Death Index had the birth year 1924. A memorial notice had the date February 24, 1924. Passenger lists said his birthplace was “Toi San, Canton, China”.
“Wing Jam Wong”, his mother, Yee Shee, and brothers, Yow Pong Wong, 5, and Yow Chuen Wong, 2 months, and a friend, Gin Bok How, were aboard the steam ship Tantalus when it departed Hong Kong on November 18, 1933. The Canadian passenger list said they arrived at Victoria, British Columbia on December 13, 1933. On the same day the ship continued to Seattle, Washington. After an investigation Wong, his mother and brothers were admitted on December 15, 1933. Wong’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7031/502. Their final destination was to Goon Fong Wong, Wong’s father, at 705 King Street in Seattle.
Wong has not yet been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His Seattle address was 511 Jackson Street. (In the 1940 census this block had several Japanese tenants. In February 1942 Executive Order 9066 relocated all of them.) He worked at the Main Cafe at the same address. Wong’s description was five feet six inches, 125 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Wong has not yet been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 30, 1942 Wong signed his draft card. His Seattle address was 511 Jackson Street. (In the 1940 census this block had several Japanese tenants. In February 1942 Executive Order 9066 relocated all of them.) He worked at the Main Cafe at the same address. Wong’s description was five feet six inches, 125 pounds, with black eyes and hair.
Wong enlisted on May 13, 1943.
Wong was on page 74 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Wong and his hometown in 1945 on page 218.
Jan W. Wong…..Seattle, WashingtonIn the book Wong appeared in a photograph on page 42.
A Hospital Admission Card File, at Ancestry.com, said Wong was treated for a power tool injury in November 1943.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
Come Out Soon, Fellers!“Jam Wing Wong” became a naturalized citizen on January 29, 1944. On August 17, 1960 a new certificate had the name “Jan W. Wong”.
As 1943 draws to a close and 1944 comes over the horizon, a small number of our personnel are confined at the station hospital for various sicknesses. They include Sgt Sack Wan, S/Sgt Norman Lerenman (attached), Cpl H.L. Hachett (attached), Pvts Herbert J. Lee, Jan W. Wong, Harry Gin, S/Sgt Ton Lum and Cpl Benson K. Lee.
To these buddies goes our greetings for the New Year, and hearty wishes for their early recovery.
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...In Shanghai Wong married Yim Chin Yao on February 20, 1947 according to a consular marriage certificate at Ancestry.com. She was aboard the ship General William Weigel when it departed Taku Bar (Tianjin), China on April 8, 1947. She arrived at San Francisco on May 5, 1947. Her final destination was to Wong at 3506 Edwards Road in Cincinnati, Ohio.
...Meanwhile, Jimmy G Choy, Jan Wong, Kwong Lee ’n company have been brewing congee almost nitely...& one nite they even got hold of a fresh meat bone to throw into the pot...They sho’ know how to forage, is all we can say...
Wong was discharged on February 1, 1948 according to his veteran’s file. Wong is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
The 1950 census counted Wong, his wife and son, Terry, in Seattle at 1908 12th Street. Wong worked at a noodle factory.
The Seattle Times, May 6, 1956, published photographs of Wong and Sam Gee making fortune cookies. The duo also wrote the fortunes.
Wong’s wife was naturalized on January 12, 1959. Their address was 1343 15th Avenue in Seattle. They had three children, Terry, Sharon and Glenna.
The Seattle Times, November 16, 1960, published photographs of Wong working in his American Noodle Manufacturing Co. at 675 Weller Street. His company made various noodles, wonton and egg-roll wrappers plus fortune cookies. His home address was 1343 15th Avenue South.
Wong’s wife passed away on July 16, 1991. Almost thirteen years later Wong passed away on May 23, 2004 according to his veteran’s file and the Social Security Death Index.
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