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| U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant
Chew-Een Lee received America's second highest combat award,
the Navy Cross, during the Korean War. |
Chew-Een Lee, the son of Chinese immigrants, first enlisted in
the Marine Corps in 1944 and was commissioned a second lieutenant
in 1946. Before hostilities broke out in Korea, First Lieutenant
Lee served with the 1st battalion, 7th Marines. As a platoon commander
in that unit, Lee received America's second highest combat award,
the Navy Cross. On Nov. 23, 1950, Lee's platoon came under
heavy attack. Despite being outnumbered, Lee exposed himself to
fire as he personally reconnoitered the area to better re-deploy
his machine gun posts within the defensive perimeter. He reorganized
his unit and moved up the enemy-held slope. Despite serious wounds,
he pressed forward ultimately driving the hostile forces from the
area. Lee's brothers also served.
Source: http://korea50.army.mil/history/factsheets/asian.shtml
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