Kurt Chew-Een Lee
Kurt Chew-Een Lee | |
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1st Marine Division (Reinforced) | |
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Kurt Chew-Een Lee (
Lee and his younger brothers Chew-Mon Lee (Chinese: 呂超民)[2] and Chew-Fan Lee all earned bravery medals in the Korean War.
Early life
Chew-Een Lee was born in 1926 in San Francisco[3] and grew up in Sacramento, California.[4] Lee's father was M. Young Lee, a native of Guangzhou (Canton) who first emigrated to the Territory of Hawaii in the 1920s and then California. Once established in America, M. Young Lee traveled to China to honor an arranged marriage.[5] He then brought his bride to California and worked as a distributor of farm produce to hotels and restaurants. According to another source, both Lee and his father were born in Hawaii.[6] Lee's brother Chew-Fan Lee was born in 1927 in Sacramento.[7] In 1928, a third son was born to the family: Chew-Mon Lee.[7] The Lee family included three daughters: Faustina, Betty and Juliet.[8]
Military career
World War II
At the time of the
From October 1945 to April 1946, Lee was enrolled in The Basic School, newly reactivated for USMC officer training. Second Lieutenant Lee graduated to become the first non-white officer and the first Asian-American officer in the Marine Corps.[4] He deployed to Guam and China to interrogate Japanese prisoners of war.[7]
Korean War
At the start of the
Lee's brother Chew-Mon Lee had by this time joined the
I came from a family of limited means. My father, whose Chinese name was Brilliant Scholar, distributed fruit and vegetables to restaurants and hotels in Sacramento. He stayed home from work that morning, and my mother, whose Chinese name was Gold Jade, made a special meal. There was an awkward moment when the clock on the wall said it was time to depart. My mother was very brave. She said nothing. My father had been reading the Chinese newspaper, or pretending to. He was a tough guy, my father, and I admired his toughness. He rose from his chair and shook my hand abruptly. He tried to talk, but couldn't, and that's when my mother broke down.[11]
Battle of Inchon
Lee's unit shipped out on September 1, 1950, before the Battle of Inchon. For two weeks he drilled his men day and night on the deck of the ship, enduring derision from the other platoon leaders.[12] After arriving in Japan for final battle preparations, Lee's superiors tried to reassign him as staff officer handling translation duties. Lee insisted that he was only there to "fight communists", and was allowed to retain command of his platoon.[7]
The
Lee was under hospital care for five days when he learned he was to be sent to Japan for recuperation. Unauthorized, he and another wounded marine took an army jeep and drove it back to his unit, walking the last 10 miles (16 km) when the jeep ran out of gas.[12] He was assigned to command the 2nd Rifle Platoon whose officer had been wounded.[4] Lee exercised his platoon in combat maneuvers while his arm was in a sling.[4] This extra training helped his platoon take a leading role in heavy fighting a month later.[4]
Sometime in mid-November 1950, Lee met up with his brother U.S. Army First Lieutenant Chew-Mon Lee at a marine field headquarters.
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
Late on December 2 after several days of exhausting combat during the
Following this success, communication was established with nearby Fox Company on Fox Hill. 1st Battalion directed mortar fire against the enemy and called in an airstrike, then Lee led Baker Company forward in an attack which forced a path to Fox Company. During this attack Lee took a bullet to the upper part of his right arm, above the cast on his elbow.[18] Regrouping his men, Lee led Baker Company in more firefights against pockets of enemy soldiers in the Toktong Pass area, securing the road. On December 8, 1950, a Chinese machine gunner targeted Lee, wounding him seriously enough to end his Korean War service.[4] Lieutenant Colonel Davis received the Medal of Honor for commanding the relief of Fox Company. Lee was awarded the Silver Star.
Throughout Lee's time in Korea, his brother Chew-Fan Lee was a student at the
Vietnam War
Lee served at The Basic School from 1962 to 1965, beginning as commanding officer of the Enlisted Instructor Company at the rank of captain. He earned the rank of major on January 1, 1963, at which time he was made chief of the Platoon Tactics Instruction Group. In his 27 months at this position he trained future generals
Later life and death
Lee retired from military service at the rank of major in 1968
Lee died on March 3, 2014, at the age of 88.[22][23][24]
Legacy
The vigorous fighting spirit that Lee gave to his USMC company resulted in it being allowed to keep the name "Baker Company" even after the U.S. military switched in 1956 from the
In 2000, the
The story of Lee's bravery in the Korean War was the subject of a documentary produced by the Smithsonian Channel.[25] The documentary, titled Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin, was broadcast on Memorial Day, May 31, 2010. David Royle of the Smithsonian Channel said that the filmmakers interviewed a number of veterans who served alongside Lee, many of whom believed that "he should have been awarded the Medal of Honor."[10] Joe Owen was one of the marines fighting under Lee's leadership, and he told Smithsonian Channel documentarians that if it had not been for the death of Lee's company commander soon after the November 2–3 action, Lee would have been properly nominated for the Medal of Honor, the highest military honor of the United States.
Lee gave his final film interview for the Korean War documentary "Finnigan's War", directed by Conor Timmis.
Early in his career, Lee's superior officers criticized him for his aggressive chip-on-shoulder attitude.[7] Lee maintained the pugnacious stance throughout his life. Lee responded to critics by saying that the chip is "my teaching tool to dispel ignorance."[4]
Awards
Lee received decorations for bravery and service in the Korean War and in Vietnam. In addition to the Navy Cross, he also received the Silver Star and the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Ribbon with "V" Device (for valor in combat).[26]
 
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Navy Cross
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Silver Star | ||||||||||
award star
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valor device
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Combat Action Ribbon | |||||||||
| US Navy Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon | Navy Unit Commendation | Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal | |||||||||
| China Service Medal | American Campaign Medal | World War II Victory Medal | |||||||||
| Navy Occupation Service Medal | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Korean Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars | |||||||||
| Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars | Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
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Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation
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United Nations Service Medal for Korea
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Vietnam Campaign Medal | Korean War Service Medal | |||||||||
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to First Lieutenant Kurt Chew-Een Lee (MCSN: 0-48880), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United Nations while serving as Commanding Officer of a Machine-Gun Platoon of Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in the Republic of Korea, on 2 and 3 November 1950. Immediately taking countermeasures when a numerically superior enemy force fiercely attacked his platoon and overran its left flank during the defense of strategic terrain commanding approaches to the main supply route south of Sudong, first Lieutenant Lee boldly exposed himself to intense hostile automatic weapons, grenade and sniper small-arms fire to carry out a personal reconnaissance, well in advance of his own lines, in order to re-deploy the machine-gun posts within the defensive perimeter. Momentarily forced back by extremely heavy opposition, he quickly reorganized his unit and, instructing his men to cover his approach, bravely moved up an enemy held slope in a deliberate attempt to draw fire and thereby disclose hostile troop positions. Despite serious wounds sustained as he pushed forward, First Lieutenant Lee charged directly into the face of the enemy fire and, by his dauntless fighting spirit and resourcefulness, served to inspire other members of his platoon to heroic efforts in pressing a determined counterattack and driving the hostile forces from the sector. His outstanding courage, brilliant leadership and unswerving devotion to duty were contributing factors in the success achieved by his company and reflect the highest credit upon First Lieutenant Lee and the United States Naval Service.[27]
Silver Star Citation
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Kurt Chew-Een Lee (MCSN: 0-48880), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company B, First Battalion, Seventh Marines, FIRST Marine Division (Reinforced), in action against enemy aggressor forces in Korea from 27 November to 8 December 1950. Although sick and in a weakened condition from a previous combat wound, First Lieutenant Lee refused hospitalization and unflinchingly led his unit across trackless, frozen wastes of rocky mountain ridges toward a beleaguered Marine company. Through his indomitable spirit, he contributed materially to the success of the epic night march of his battalion which resulted in the relief of the isolated Marine unit and the securing of vital ground. On 2 December 1950 when the leading elements of his company were pinned down under intense enemy fire from a rocky hill mass, he skillfully maneuvered his platoon forward in an attack in the face of the heavy fire, personally accounting for two enemy dead and providing such aggressive and inspirational leadership that fire superiority was regained and the enemy was routed. On 8 December 1950, First Lieutenant Lee's platoon was pinned down by intense hostile fire while attacking south on the main service road from Koto-ri. Observing that the heavy fire was inflicting numerous casualties, he exposed himself to the deadly fire to move among his troops, shouting words of encouragement and directing a withdrawal to covered positions. Assured that the last of his wounded was under cover, he was seeking shelter for himself when he was struck down and severely wounded by a burst of enemy machine gun fire. By his daring initiative and great personal valor throughout, First Lieutenant Lee served to inspire all who observed him and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.[28]
See also
- Military history of Asian Americans
- List of historic United States Marines
- List of Navy Cross recipients for the Korean War
- John Y. Lee
References
- ^ "Burial detail". ANC Explorer. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
- ^ a b "畸戀難自拔 多情空餘恨 武官之死感情糾紛 吳姓女子兩度自殺" [Military Attaché died of Emotional Entanglement]. United Daily News. 1972-05-10. p. 03.
- ^ "Kurt Lee Collection". Veterans History Project. Library of Congress. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Robison, Michael (February 1, 2011). "Chinese American Hero: Major Kurt Chew-Een Lee". AsianWeek. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012.
- ^ Drury, 2009, p. 254
- ^ Tucker, Neely (May 30, 2010). "Korean War documentary, 'Uncommon Courage: Breakout at Chosin,' debuts". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8021-4451-5.
- ^ "Part Two: The One Week Visit of American Military Hero – Major Kurt Chew-Een Lee" (PDF). Cathay Chronicle. 2 (4). American Legion, Cathay Post No. 384. April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-26.
- ^ Drury, 2009, p. 255
- ^ a b c Perry, Tony (May 31, 2010). "A tale of Korean War heroism: U.S. Marine Chew-Een Lee's bravery at the battle of the Chosin Reservoir is a focus of Smithsonian Channel documentary". Los Angeles Times.
- ISBN 0-14-029259-4. Sample text hosted by The New York Times.
- ^ a b Drury, 2009, pp. 252–253
- ^ "U.S. Military Awards for Valor - Top 3". valor.defense.gov. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
- ^ ISBN 0-7385-8066-X.
- ISBN 1-55750-416-4.
- ^ "Distinguished Service Cross Citation for Chew-Mon Lee". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ Drury, 2009, p. 262
- ^ Drury, 2009, p. 270
- ^ William Yardley (March 10, 2014). "Kurt Chew-Een Lee, Singular Marine, Dies at 88". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
Among other books, his exploits are recounted in "Colder Than Hell: A Marine Rifle Company at Chosin Reservoir" (1996), by Joseph R. Owen.
- U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 7.
- ^ a b Tucker, Neely (May 30, 2010). "The Marine who fought his own people; 'Uncommon Courage' in Korea: Documentary recalls bravery amid the horrors of battle at Chosin". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014.
- ^ "First Asian American in United States Marine Corps passes away | abc7news.com". Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
- ^ "Obituary: Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee, 88, was Korean War hero - Obituaries - the Sacramento Bee". Archived from the original on 2014-03-05. Retrieved 2014-03-05.
- ^ Park, Madison (March 6, 2014). "Maj. Kurt Chew-een Lee, Asian-American Marines trailblazer dies at 88". CNN. Retrieved March 6, 2014.
- ^ "Uncommon Courage: Breakout At Chosin". Smithsonian Channel. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2011.
- ^ "YouTube: Happy 235th Birthday Marine Corps". U.S. Marine Corps.
- ^ Navy Cross Citation: http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=5719
- ^ Silver Star Citation: http://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient.php?recipientid=5719
External links
- Kurt Chew-Een Lee at IMDb
- "Asian Americans in the United States Military during the Korean War". New Jersey Korean War Memorial. New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. Photograph of Lieutenant Lee in Korea, 1950
- Dávila, Robert D. (March 5, 2014). "Obituary: Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee, 88, was Korean War hero". The Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved March 5, 2014.