GEE CHANG
Gee Chang was born on June 19, 1925, in Canton, China, according to his World War II draft card. The birth information on his naturalization petition said October 19, 1925, “Kiu Tau, Sam Yeung, Chungshan, Kwangtung, China”. Chang’s mother was Lum Shee.
Ten-year-old Chang and his father, King Chang were aboard the steam ship President Cleveland when it departed Hong Kong on May 6, 1936. They arrived at San Francisco, California on May 26, 1936. Chang’s father was admitted upon arrival while Chang had to wait until June 25, 1936; he was eleven years old. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 36296/004-12. Their final destination was to Yee Poon, a friend, at 855 Clay Street in San Francisco.
Chang has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 19, 1943 Chang signed his draft card. He lived in Courtland, California. He did farming work on a ranch. Chang’s description was five feet five inches, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. His father lived in Kingman, Arizona.
Gee Chang was born on June 19, 1925, in Canton, China, according to his World War II draft card. The birth information on his naturalization petition said October 19, 1925, “Kiu Tau, Sam Yeung, Chungshan, Kwangtung, China”. Chang’s mother was Lum Shee.
Ten-year-old Chang and his father, King Chang were aboard the steam ship President Cleveland when it departed Hong Kong on May 6, 1936. They arrived at San Francisco, California on May 26, 1936. Chang’s father was admitted upon arrival while Chang had to wait until June 25, 1936; he was eleven years old. His Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 36296/004-12. Their final destination was to Yee Poon, a friend, at 855 Clay Street in San Francisco.
Chang has not been found in the 1940 United States census.
On June 19, 1943 Chang signed his draft card. He lived in Courtland, California. He did farming work on a ranch. Chang’s description was five feet five inches, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. His father lived in Kingman, Arizona.
Chang enlisted on July 1, 1943. (His first was garbled by a keyboarding error.)
Chang was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chang and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
Gee Chang…..Kingman, ArizonaIn the book, Chang’s contributions were acknowledged on page viii. He was quoted on page 8. On page 10 Chang requested assignment to the 407th.
Chang was discharged on January 11, 1946. He is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
Chang returned to California. He has not been found in the 1950 census.
The 1956 California voter register listed Chang, a Democrat, at 413 Cottage Home Street in Los Angeles.
Chang’s naturalization petition said his real name was Yiu Hung Chang. He married Ying Wan Wong in Hong Kong on July 5, 1957. Her entry into the United Sates began at Honolulu, Hawaii on April 18, 1958. Chang was a draftsman with two sons, Gregory and Garrett. Their address was 1911 Alta Street in Los Angeles. Chang was naturalized on July 11, 1962.
Chang passed away on January 11, 2006. He was laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park.
SAMMY CHANG
Sammy Chang was born on October 24, 1924 in Oakland, California according to his World War II draft card. The California Birth Index, at Ancestry.com, said his name was “Sing M. Chang”.
The 1930 United States census counted Chang as the fifth of seven children born to Chee and Moy Shee. They resided in Oakland at 322 Ninth Street. His father was a butcher.
Chang was in a group photograph published in the Oakland Tribune, July 14, 1935. He was a member of the league teams playing in a tournament for basketball and baseball titles at Lincoln playground.
The 1940 census said the Chang family remained in Oakland but at a different address, 286 Ninth Street. Chang was a high school sophomore.
In 1942, Chang graduated from Oakland Technical High School. In the yearbook, Senior Memories, the “Senior Prophecies” (ten years later) said: Chang, Sammy…..The little man who makes pens leak.
On December 22, 1942 Chang signed his draft card. His address was 121 7th Street. He worked at the Moore Dry Dock Company. Chang’s description was five feet ten inches, 150 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Chang enlisted on May 19, 1943.
Chang was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chang and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
Sammy Chang…..Oakland, CaliforniaIn the book Chang was mentioned on pages viii; 9; 11 and 43. He appeared in the second group photograph on page 53, and the squadron fold-out photograph between pages 54 and 55.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said Corporal Chang was promoted to Sergeant.
After the war, Chang returned to California and married Ruby J. Young on February 20, 1949.
According to the 1950 census, the couple were Berkeley, California residents at 2109 Hearst. He was a metal-smith at the Naval Air Station.
Chang passed away on November 16, 2004. An obituary appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, November 17, 2004.
October 24, 1924–November 16, 2004
Born in Oakland, CA. Passed away peacefully at home in Berkeley, CA.
Loving husband of Ruby for 55 wonderful years; cherished father of Gary (Kathy) and Carlene; devoted grandfather of Tracy (Ford) and David; brother of Margaret, May, Henry and Marie. Preceded in death by brother, Jimmy and sister, Mildred. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Sam served in the Air Force in WWII, then worked at Alameda Naval Air Station for over 30 years. He played tennis and bridge with passion, loved to travel and go to the movies.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial luncheon Friday, November 18 at 11:30 AM at Golden Dynasty Restaurant, 10140 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society.
CHRIS Y. CHEN
Chris Young Chen was born on March 26, 1924 in Seattle, Washington according to his World War II draft card. His father and brothers spelled the family name either Chin or Chinn.
On February 27, 1928 Chen and his brother began their travel from Seattle, Washington to China. Their return to the United States was explained in an issue of Gung Ho.
Thirteen-year-old “Chris Lung Chin” and “Charlie Lung Chin” were aboard the steamship President McKinley when it departed Hong Kong on October 23, 1937. They had stayed with their brother, Ngew Fon Chin, at “Kong Chiu Village, Toyshan, China”. The brothers arrived at Seattle on November 10, 1937 and admitted upon arrival. Their final destination was to their father, Lung Chin, at 201 Washington Street in Seattle. Chen’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 7030/10479.
The 1940 census counted Chen as the third of five children born to Lung and Louie Shee. They lived in Bremerton, Washington at 202 2nd Avenue. His father owned and managed a laundry.
On June 30, 1942 Chen signed his draft card. His address was 201 2nd Street in Bremerton. His description was five feet six inches, 124 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Chen enlisted on June 11, 1943.
Chen was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chen and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
Chris Y. Chen…..Seattle, Washington
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
Pfc Chris Y. Chen would have us believe he wasn’t drunk when he got that tatoo [sic] job done...says he got the idea from a sailor friend...
Gung Ho, No. 12, March 10, 1944, said
….Glimpses: ....Pvt Chris Y. Chen also reading, but in bed, from a copy of Sun Tze’s tome on war—one of the world’s greatest books on military strategy....Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
Men of the 407th—In the book Chen’s death was mentioned on page 70.
THREE SCHOOL BOYS FROM PUI CHING
They are buddies in the same outfit now and know each other pretty well. But not so long ago when the three were in the same school together in Canton they didn’t know each other at all. Which is something that happens not infrequently in China. But Sgt Joseph Lee, Pvt Chris Y. Chen and Cpl Thomas W. Lee all have their interesting stories to tell about that.
The school these three all attended was the famed Pui Ching residence middle school in the city of Canton. It was a large institution, divided into sections, which accounted for the fact that hundreds of students attending the same school never meet each other. Today it is operating in a neighboring province, for the Japanese invaders have taken possession of Canton.
Pvt Chen was in school with his brother during the fateful year of 1937. He was there when Jap airmen first bombed the city in September. He saw them bomb one entire section of the metropolis, destroying schools and libraries.
By river boats Chen and his brother escaped south to the Portuguese colony of Macao. Their parents in Bremerton, Washington cabled for the boys to come to the U. S. In December of 1937 they went to Hongkong, and from that port took passage to America. Today Pvt Chen is in the army, but his brother is with the Seabees. …
—W. H.
… Another man, Chris Y. Chen, was killed in a trucking accident in Tinsukia [Assam, India].The Seattle Times, September 15, 2005, said
… Chris Chen of Seattle, who died in 1944 after jumping out of his truck when the fuel tank malfunctioned and exploded.The Headstone Application for Military Veteran, at Ancestry.com, said Chen died on October 14, 1944. He was laid to rest at Lake View Cemetery in 1948.
About six weeks later Chen’s father passed away. His obituary appeared in the Kitsap Sun (Bremerton, Washington), November 29, 1944.
Lung Chinn
Funeral services will be held tomorrow at the Seattle Chinese church for Lung Chinn, 55, former proprietor of Hung Far Low cafe and Bremerton resident for the past 16 years, who died Thursday at a local hospital as the result of a lingering illness.
Only a few weeks ago the family received word of death Pfc. Chris Lund [sic] Chinn, one of three sons, who was killed Oct. 14 in a vehicle accident at a U. S. army air base in Burma. He had been stationed there as a member of the ground army in a squadron of American-born Chinese airmen. Charlie and Harry, the other two sons, are with the U.S. navy. The former is believed to be at sea now, and Harry is in “boot” training at Farragut, Idaho.
When the father first came to Bremerton from Seattle in 1928, he had operated a laundry establishment at 204 2nd and in 1938 opened Hung Far Low’s at 224 2nd st.
Chinn was born Sept. 19, 1889 in Seattle and the family home is at 1525 Naval ave. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Louie Shee Chinn; the two sons; three daughters, Mrs. Helen Fong, Mrs. Lena Dong and Miss Mary Chinn, all of Bremerton; one grandson and one granddaughter.
Funeral arrangements were made by Lewis chapel and interment will be held at Lakeview cemetery, also in Seattle. The church is located at 10th st. and King ave.
DAVID CHEN
David Chen was born on May 28, 1917 in Boston, Massachusetts according to his World War II draft card. The Massachusetts Birth Index, at Ancestry.com, recorded his name as “Willie David Chin”.
The 1920 United States census counted Chen was the youngest of four children born to Willie and Alice. They were Boston Chinatown residents at 86 Harrison Avenue. His father was laundry supplies salesman.
The 1930 census said the Chen family lived in Boston at 184 Harrison Avenue.
Chen graduated from Arlington High School (Massachusetts) in 1934. His address was 21 Longfellow Road.
The same address was recorded in the 1940 census. Chen was a dry goods clerk.
On October 16, 1940 Chen signed his draft card. His address was unchanged. Chen was employed at China Products Company in Boston. His description was five feet six-and-three-quarter inches, 189 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Chen enlisted on June 2, 1943.
Chen was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chen and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
David Chen…..Arlington, MassachusettsThe squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 14, March 24, 1944, said
Glimpses: Cpl David Chen bouncing his 225 lbs up and down catching baseballs....Gung Ho, No. 20, July 15, 1944, said
..After a short stay in the hospital rotund David Chen’s figure is now streamlined...his weight-decreasing process started ever since he first laid eyes on India & a pic of Mahatma Ghandi.Chen was discharged on January 16, 1946.
The Boston Herald, January 4, 1948, said
Mrs. Luke Andrews Gorham of Arlington announces the engagement of her daughter, Miss Mona Frances Gorham, to Mr. David Chen of Arlington.According to the 1950 census, Chen lived with his father and older brother, Daniel, at the same address, 21 Longfellow Road, in Arlington. Chen was a restaurant chef.
The Lowell Sun (Massachusetts), December 13, 1956, covered the St. Paul’s Fair.
... The Mission church of St. Paul’s Advent fair last Saturday was truly a great success. There were over 300 people who served the delicious roast beef dinner and it was estimated that over 500 people attended this first Advent fair.Chen was mentioned in the Boston Record American, April 14, 1964.
David Chen, a professional chef, was the chief cook for the dinner and it was his magic touch that made the meal a real treat for all. There was nothing but praise from all the diners after eating the roast beef dinner with all the extras. ...
On the other hand, anxiety can be the mother of invention, Chef David Chen, for instance, of the Fort Hill Club in the Travelers Building in High st., got weary of being harassed by wet floors in his walk-in freezer. The solution suddenly occurred to him one day when he gazed rather idly at a big paper packing case in which some of his edibles are delivered. He had them flattened out and spread on the floor to absorb the moisture, then called in Manager Ed Lawlor to admire his ingenuity. “Ah,” said Lawlor, “Wall-to-wall cardboarding!”Chen passed away on June 25, 1988. An obituary appeared in the Union Leader (Manchester, New Hampshire), June 28, 1988.
David ChenChen was laid to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Mason—David Chen, 71, died June 25, 1988, in Monadnock Community Hospital, Peterborough, after a brief illness.
Born in Boston, he had been a resident of Mason for 12 years.
He had been a chef and formerly worked at the Fort Hill Club in Boston and the Wayside Inn in Concord, Mass.
He was an Army veteran of World War II.
He was the widower of Mona (Gorham) Chen.
YUAN CHEN
Yuan Chen was born on August 15, 1916 in Canton, China according to his World War draft card. The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette (Indiana), August 11, 1942, said Chen immigrated to United States in 1932. He arrived at Seattle, Washington and continued to Chicago, Illinois. He attended the Carl Schurz High School and two years at a business college.
The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, November 29, 1939, said
Chinese Restaurant Is Under New Management
The Oriental Gardens restaurant, 120 West Washington Boulevard, redecorated and under new management, will reopen Friday, December 1. Yuan Chen, formerly of Chicago, is the new restaurant manager.
In celebration of the reopening, Professor Woo, an oriental magician, will entertain patrons from 5 until 9 o’clock each evening for several days. He will also demonstrate and play several Chinese musical instruments.
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Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, January 31, 1940
A photograph of the restaurant appeared in John Jung’s 2010 book, Sweet and Sour: Life in Chinese Family Restaurants.
Matchcover date unknown
On October 16, 1940 Chen signed his draft card, His address was 120 West Washington in Fort Wayne. He managed the restaurant Oriental Gardens. Chen was described as five feet nine inches, 132 pounds, with black eyes and dark hair.
The 1941 Fort Wayne, Indiana city directory listed Chen at 120 West Washington Boulevard.
Chen enlisted on August 6, 1942. The Fort Wayne News Sentinel, August 6, 1942, said Chen was one of thirty-eight men sent to Toldeo, Ohio for possible induction into the Army.
Chen married Lydia Prifogle on August 15, 1942.
Chen was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chen and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
Yuan Chen…..Fort Wayne, IndianaThe Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, May 20, 1944, said
Staff Sgt. Yuan Chen, husband of Mrs. Lydia Chen, 520 West Berry St., has arrived somewhere in North Africa. Before entering the service on Aug. 20, 1942, Sergeant Chen was proprietor of the Oriental Gardens.Chen’s veteran’s file, at Ancestry.com, said he was discharged on January 7, 1946. The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, January 13, 1946, said the discharge was at the Camp Atterbury Separation Center. Chen is on the U.S. Army Veterans Final Registered List of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Recognition Project.
The 1946 Fort Wayne, Indiana directory listed Chen, of the Oriental Gardens, at 520 West Berry.
According to the 1950 census, Chen, his wife and niece, lived at 4631 South Lafayette in Fort Wayne. He was a restaurant partner. The same address was found in directories from 1950 to 1960. Beginning in December 1959 Chen was associated with Charlie Chan’s Kitchen.
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Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, December 2, 1959
Chen passed away on November 2, 1982. Obituaries appeared in the following newspapers: Fort Wayne News Sentinel, November 5, 1982.
Yuan Chen, 65, died Tuesday in Veterans Administration Medical Center.Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, November 5, 1982.
Mr. Chen, born in Canton, China, was a restaurateur and former owner of the Oriental Gardens. He was a member of the Burma-China-India Veterans Association.
Surviving are a son, Thomas of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Lola Chen of Chicago, and two brothers, George and Alfred, both of Chicago.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday in Klaehn’s South Anthony Chapel. Calling hours are 3 to 6 p.m. today and after Sunday noon. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery Gardens. Memorials are to Allen County Cancer Society.
Yuan ChenChen was laid to rest at Concordia Cemetery Gardens.
Yuan Chen, 65, died Tuesday in Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis.
Mr. Chen was born in Canton, China, was a restaurateur.
Surviving are a son, Thomas of Fort Wayne; a daughter, Lola of Chicago, and two brothers, George and Alfred, both of Chicago.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday in Klaehn’s South Anthony Chapel, with calling there from 3 to 6 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and from noon until service time Sunday. Burial will be in Concordia Cemetery Gardens.
Preferred memorials are gifts to the Allen County Cancer Society.
EDWARD CHEW
Edward Chew was born on March 2, 1925 in Oakland, California according to his World War II draft card. He has not been found in the 1930 United States census.
The 1940 census counted Chew, his parents, younger brother and paternal grandmother in Oakland at 134 Fifth Street. His father operated a fruit and vegetable business.
On March 4, 1943 Chew signed his draft card. His address was the same. Chew had work pending at Pan American Airways. His description was five feet six inches, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Chew enlisted in on July 1, 1943.
Chew was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chew and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
Edward Chew…..Oakland, CaliforniaIn the book he appeared in the photograph on page 19.
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1944, said
….Pvt Ed Chew married a little miss from Oakland, Calif., while across the bay in San Francisco Pfc Gim Jeong also marched bravely to the alter.Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1944, said
...We erroneously got Pvt Edward Chew married in this column last week. Ed, just out of the hospital, informed us that as far as he knows he’s still single....we committed this reportorial faux paux [sic] on the misinformation of an Orderly Room general...sorry, Ed, we hope we haven’t jeopardized your social standing.Gung Ho, No. 7, February 4, 1944, said
….Starting lineup for this game included Henry Wong (13), Albert Fong, Peter Gee, and Murphy Quan. At the beginning of the second half the starting lineup was totally replaced by John S. Leong, Howard C. Loo, Edwin Chu, Edward Chew, and David Fong. Throughout the game Wong and Leong exhibited good floor work.Gung Ho, No. 9, February 18, 1944, said
MEN OF THE 407THAfter the war Chew returned to California. According to the 1950 census, Chew, his wife, Sylvia, son, Martin, paternal grandmother, and four relatives were residents of Stockton, California at 1013 South Stanislaus. Chew a butcher at a meat market.
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.
The 1952 Stockton city directory had the same address and occupation for Chew.
The Oakland Tribune, November 8, 1989, published the two-page article, “Food for Folks, Housewives: Downtown’s historic, down-home market offers specialty goods to a loyal following”. A paragraph and photograph was devoted to Chew’s Taylor Sausage Shop which opened in 1974.
Chew passed away on November 2, 2017, in Hayward, California. The East Bay Times, November 19, 2017, published an obituary.
Edward ChewChew was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery.
March 2, 1925 – November 2, 2017
Resident of Hayward
Edward (Eddie) Chew, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 surrounded by his family. Eddie was a devoted husband and father. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Sylvia, his son, Marty (Margaret) Chew, daughter, Angie (Jerry) Lee, and, brother Allen Chew.
Eddie’s heart and soul were his family and friends. He has seven grandchildren—Doug (Peggy) Chew, Dennis (Lisette) Chew, Daniel (Adriana) Chew, David Chew, Keviann (Ben) Dennison, Kelli Lee and Karly Lee. Six great grandchildren—Kayla, Kaitlyn, Madison, Liam, Lucas, and Dylan.
Eddie grew up in Oakland and served during WWII in the Army, 407th Air Service, Sqn. where he provided technical and mechanical support to the “Flying Tigers” group in Kunming, China. Returning from the military, he became a butcher and owned the meat department at Superway grocery store on Tennyson Rd. in Hayward. He later owned Taylor Sausage at Housewives Market in Oakland.
After retirement, he traveled extensively with friends and family. He was a lifelong Warriors and 49ers fan. He was very proud of his homegrown fruits and vegetables and was always reading to continue educating himself. Eddie loved to “joke around” and touched the lives of everyone he met.
Celebration of life services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017, 12:00 pm at Mountain View Cemetery, 5000 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA. Lunch to follow. Guests may dress casually and in bright colors. Those wishing to sign Eddie’s on-line guestbook may do so at www.mountainviewcemetery.org. Memorial donations may be made to Eddie’s church, New Life Christian Fellowship, 22360 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA 94546, please note “in memory of Eddie Chew”.
JERRY CHEW
Jerry Chew was born on January 11, 1911, in Canton, China, according to his World War II draft card. The California and Social Security Death Indexes had the birth year 1912. Chew’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file had the birth date January 10, 1912.
Nine-year-old “Suey Woy Chow” (Chew’s Chinese name), his mother, Ning Shee, and stepbrother, Look Him Chow, were aboard the steam ship Shinyo Maru when it departed Hong Kong on February 7, 1921. Before leaving they had stayed with her brother, Chun Sang, in Toyshan. The trio arrived at San Francisco on March 6, 1921 and were detained at Angel Island. Chew’s mother was admitted on May 13, 1921 and it’s likely her sons were released the same day. Chew’s Chinese Exclusion Act case file number was 20015-5-1. Their final destination was 1122 Sutter Street in San Francisco where Chew’s father, Chung Chow, lived.
Chew has not been found in the 1930 United States census. It’s not clear when Chew changed his name from Chow.
The 1937 San Francisco city directory listed Chew at 826 Jackson.
The 1940 United States census counted Chew twice. On April 5, he and his wife, Mary, were San Francisco residents at 866 Jackson Street. He was a grocery store clerk. On April 13 Chew was in Marysville, California at 413 1/2 Third Street. He was a grocery store clerk.
On October 16, 1940 Chew signed his draft card. His address was 942 Cooper Avenue in Yuba City, California. Chew’s description was five feet nine inches, 148 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.
Chew’s veteran’s file said he enlisted on April 23, 1943.
Chew was on page 72 of Chinese America: History and Perspectives 1993. In the Shadow of the Tiger listed Chew and his hometown in 1945 on page 213.
Jerry Chew…..San Francisco, CaliforniaOn page 39 of the book is a photograph of Chew “relaxing at the Town Club.”
The squadron’s publication, Gung Ho, No. 1, December 25, 1943, said
407th Xmas Dinner.Gung Ho, No. 2, December 31, 1943, said
Almost the entire enlisted personnel of the squadron have signed up for the big Xmas dinner party as this issue goes to press. The dinner will be held at the Chungking restaurant in Dayton, the only Chinese dining place spacious enough to hold such a crowd.
Sgt Jerry Chew did the arrangements, and delicious fried chicken with rice and all the trimmings is promised. What is more, the cost of the dinner will come out of squadron fund. Sgt Chew hopes to have some entertainment for the boys also. …
…..Sgt Jerry Chew deserves a big hand for working so hard to make the Xmas shindig a good one….he actually worried for days, and at the last moment he was almost unable to get the dinner held at the Chungking…on account two of the restaurant’s waiters had just quit…..After the war Chew reenlisted in the Air Corps on October 10, 1945. He was discharged on December 16, 1946. Chew is on the U.S. Army Air Forces Final Registered List of the Chinese American WWII Recognition Project. Chew is on page sixteen of the Digital Program Booklet Volume One. Chew’s photograph appeared in The Memoir 1947 (see group 80) which was published by the Chick Char Club in San Francisco. He was mentioned in Jaybird’s Jottings, Flying Tigers Reunite in the Big Apple.
According to the 1950 census, “Jerry W. Chew”, his wife, Rose, son, Terrence, and daughter, Roberta, lived in San Francisco at 1443 Pacific Avenue. He was a postal carrier. The 1955 city directory had the same address.
Chew passed away on September 1, 1980, California. An obituary appeared in the San Francisco Examiner, September 3, 1980.
Chew, Jerry W.
In this city, Sept. 1, 1980; beloved husband of Rose Chew; loving father of Dr. Terrence Chew, Roberta and Richard Chew; loved father-in-law of Dana and Karen Chew, devoted grandfather of Kristin and Kevin Chew; dear brother of Frank Chew, Herbert Chow, Lennie Lee, Peggy Wing and Rosemary Fong; brother-in-law of Janet Chow, Harry Lee, Edward Fong, Ruby and Ben Woo, Emily and David Lee, Mabel and William Chong, Willie and Connie Lee and Manley Lee; also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to attend. Visitation, Thursday evening, 7 to 8 p.m. and Funeral Services, Friday morning, 11 am. at Halsted & Co, 1123 Sutter St. Interment, Olivet Memorial Park.
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