SEATTLE — After years of advocacy, 20,000 Chinese-American veterans of World War II will be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony this fall in Washington, D.C.
According to the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, the oldest living among them is 102-year-old Gene Moy, who lives in Seattle.
“I’m just one of those real lucky guys to still be around,” Moy told KIRO 7’s Rachel Calderon on Thursday.
Cathy Lee, the President of the Seattle Chapter of the CACA, is now trying to find more residents like Moy to help them receive the medal.
“This is not really just for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren to know that Chinese Americans did serve,” Lee said.
The medal recognizes their war service even when the Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers, was still in place.
“We had no rights. We weren’t able to become citizens, but we still served valiantly and we were patriotic,” Lee said.
In a rush to find the remaining Chinese Americans who served, CACA is working with local churches, businesses and schools.
Only 45 Chinese American veterans in the Seattle area are registered and only 1,000 are registered nationwide.
Registration can be done here by proving the service with discharge papers or a picture of a veteran in uniform.
“I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world, to be able to dance. I still have my memory. What else could you ask for?” Moy said.
Moy said he will be in attendance to accept his award this fall and said he hopes the search for his comrades is successful.
More news from KIRO 7
- Woman attacked on South Sound trail
- WSP: Suspects selling fake gold on freeways
- Seattle could ban building big houses with new ordinance
- Man suspected in arson at Bellevue home
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
Cox Media Group
