Flying Tiger nurse honored

Cover of the book Piloted to Serve was co-authored by Deborah Chung and her mother Rebecca Chan who had served as a nurse for the Flying Tigers.

In the book, Chan describes in detail the hospital, what a nice environment it was, the good food, the care she offered to the injured soldiers, and how she and other nurses helped the wounded and recovering soldiers evade Japanese air raids. She particularly remembered one injured pilot who said he had shot down 10 Japanese planes.

Chung's slides included a letter signed in 1943 by Dr Magnet, the executive officer of US Army's Kunming station hospital, stating that Rebecca Chau (Chan's maiden name) had served as a nurse from 1942 to 1943, a document Chan had kept all these years.

According to Chung, her mother was very humble about her role in serving with the Flying Tigers and downplayed her contribution. It was Chung who applied on her mother's behalf to the US Army for recognition of Chan's contribution in WWII, using this letter as primary proof.

As a result, Chan was awarded various military medals, honors and recognition.

"It was shortly before she passed away in 2011,"said Chung. "She was so sick I had to accept the medals on her behalf."

Chung's presentation was organized by the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) Houston Chapter, Chinese American Citizens Alliance and Chinese Professional Club.

Cecil Fong, OCA Houston president and nephew of Anna Chan Chennault, wife of the Flying Tigers commander Chennault, said he was extremely moved by hearing Chung's account of her mother's history from a personal point of view.

"These are very interesting stories," Fong said. "The Flying Tigers did a lot to help the Chinese in WWII. They did it on a volunteer basis, out of the goodness of their heart, and what they believed in.

"This is part of history that a lot of Chinese don't know about anymore because that generation is getting old and it can easily be forgotten. I think this is a good opportunity to talk a bit about Chinese history, and what it means to us Chinese Americans,"Fong said.

mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com