Chinese American WWII vets who served despite being denied U.S. citizenship honored by Congress
Chinese American veterans who fought in World War II were honored in New Orleans with a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony.
Chinese Americans who fought in World War II were honored on Saturday with a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. Six veterans gathered at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans to accept the honor on behalf of the thousands of their peers that served in the war. It’s the highest recognition Congress can give to a U.S. civilian.
Around 20,000 Chinese Americans served during WWII, though upon their return to the U.S. they faced rampant discrimination and laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act, which made it impossible for most Chinese immigrants to become citizens. Since the act wasn’t repealed until 1943, it meant many Chinese members of the U.S. armed forces weren’t citizens at the time of their service in WWII.
The Congressional Gold Medals received by Chinese American World War II veterans.Frank L Aymami III / Courtesy of The National WWII MuseumIn 2018, after a push by Chinese veterans groups, Congress passed a bill collectively honoring them with a Gold Medal, the highest recognition Congress can give to a U.S. civilian. The ceremony was supposed to be held in Washington but was delayed by the pandemic. Similar recognition has been given to Japanese and Filipino American WWII veterans in previous years.
Six of these Chinese American veterans, many now in their 90s, were honored Saturday as they were called one-by-one to accept their medals. The representatives present to accept the medals were a mix of U.S.-born Chinese servicemembers and immigrants from China who were later drafted.
“I’m very honored and humbled to be selected to do this,” said Arthur T.S. Shak, an Army veteran from Hawaii. “We are so grateful. … Mahalo to the National WWII Museum president.”
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