By Raymond Douglas Chong, AsAmNews Staff Writer
Since 2017, retired U.S. Army Major General William Chen, with other leaders and advisors, has promoted the national campaign to honor and recognize Chinese American World War II veterans.
Congress officially unveiled and presented the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal, on Wednesday, Dec. 9. Chen was involved in the program.
AsAmNews chatted with the retired 81-year-old general about the campaign and the historical significance of Chinese American soldiers fighting in World War II.
About the Campaign
The Chinese American Citizens Alliance, in San Francisco, California, spearheaded the
Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project. The national campaign aims to identify, honor and recognize the efforts and accomplishments of all Chinese Americans who served in the United States Armed Services during World War II.
P-61 Black Widow: America s World War II Night Fighter
The plane saw service in the European Theater, Pacific Theater, China Burma India Theater, and Mediterranean Theater during the war.
Here s What You Need to Know: Northrop Aircraft Corporation was actually just a year old and primarily operating as a subcontractor for larger aircraft manufacturers when it began to develop the P-61.
The Second World War saw a major leap forward in aircraft design. When the war began, the United States Army Air Corps and the Royal Air were each still flying outdated aircraft including the Douglas TBD-1 and Fairey Swordfish respectively. By the war s end, revolutionary jet aircraft such as the German Me-262 were just the beginning of the things to come.