How the First Asian American Marine Officer Overcame Racism
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มี.ค. 2014
- As a lieutenant, Chew-Een Lee faced an uncommon obstacle, his men had never before seen an Asian Marine.
From: UNCOMMON COURAGE: BREAKOUT AT CHOSIN
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they should make a movie out of this, definitely would make a good movie if done correctly
NovaKing123 they should but they`d replace him with a white actor.
NovaKing123 the movie would be starting a white guy in the film if it ever were to happen... it's a shame but it's true
NovaKing123 maybe years ago. Nowadays multiculturalism is constantly pushed in film. People would go crazy and cry racism if he was cast as a white guy.
It’ll be a white guy performing yellowface lmao
NovaKing123 why? Why should they big deal he was Asian? Thats sending the wrong message. He was not Asian. He was a Marine. Do you think they should make shows dedicated to everything white Marines did, black Marines, Hispanic Marines, Native American Marines or keep it about the men and women of the United States Marine Corps?
This man didn't overcome racism, he gained his men's respect. Period.
what a youtube name!! :- ))))
Brewswillis hopefully this will be the beginning for us all regardless of gender or ethnic background. Today learning to live together as equality as possible.
Brewswillis
"This man didn't overcome racism, he gained his men's respect. Period."
Is this scenario possible then?
This female didn't overcome prejudice, she gained her men's respect. Period.
BeachsideHank only we can all learn from this man and see each other as humans
That's the same thing genius
My dad was the only Asian in his company and in the end they became brothers even after the racist remarks. I respect my dad so much for it. Can you imagine the drill Sargents words to my father?! He fought through and didn't let it bother him
@ You read? You do realize racial verbal remarks were what was used. Even so, of course people always ignore them. Where in the comment do you see he is not dealing with the insults?
Dirk Diggler You hurl racial slurs at me and I’ll show you real abuse.
telsa roadster I mean in the present, if he throws racial slurs at me then he will catch a fade
Once a Marine, always a Marine.thanks for His service....
@@kevinzhang3313 salute！
My grandpa was second mate on a merchant marine ship in ww2 as a Japanese American man!! Could you imagine that?? He had to overcome massive amounts of racism to get an officer rank and even saved the entire ship from a torpedo hit that took down that entire ship. He even went on to become mayor of Kauai!! See what people can do when motivated to something greater
thank you Maj. Lee. You are a hero several times over,god bless you, your family, and all those like your self that persevered through so much on behalf of our country!!!. Once again thank you sir!!!.
thank ur mom dumb fuck.
Hef Tarc you seem jealous
Hef Tarc What's the point of that? Do you need someone to talk to?
Kayleigh Kayleigh you obviously need human attention since you are the pathetic introvert awkward asian houseslave wagging ur tail to the white masters so desperate for approval and comfirmation.
Hef Tarc ?
He was so handsome 😊
You got a little Asian fever going on here. =) By the way you're a pretty looking black girl yourself.
Thank you. 😊
QueenDianaLUVPakiz how so?
RussX5Z why does she have to be a pretty black girl why can’t she just be pretty
JOSHUA OH Because black is beautiful
I was a Chinese American Marine. I was bullied by black D.I. in my boot camp and overcame some racism. Most of my fellow Marines were friendly, but some would always try to give me a hard time because I look different.
What decade?
I was a Japanese marine and was bullied a lot by my white counterparts. Still don’t really like white people because of it but I overcame.
hold your high brother america will be a land of hypocrisy unless u spread the knowledge the Chinese are not the enemy but China needs to go back to the republic of China a free China but without killing Chinese or Asian lives to do it a peaceful revolotion bless you marine.
As a Asian American that went through us army basic training for the infantry I experienced racism too
I don't understand how can black man be racist to others after all that he been through it like try to make others go through what you been through , misery loves company and cuz he cant do that to whites he try to pick on asian man such ridiculous cowrd actions
A lot of people seem to forget about the 4000 Japanese-American unit that fought on the European theatre (442nd Regimental Combat Team). They were one of the most decorated units in US Military history.
Ppl know this. They are telling other not well known stories.
Nobody gives a F about Asians here in the US.
they were not ONE of the most decorated unit is US military history, the 442nd are THE most decorated in US history
@@persimmonss facts. They popularized the term Go for Broke
Wow. Never heard of this.
So basically he gained respect by saying "Call me Lieutenant Lee".
That's a masterstroke!
A very interesting introduction to Asian Americans in the Marine Corps. I would've liked to see black Marines speak on the matter too.
+Andy Tang
There were 27 Marines left in Baker Company not wounded or killed when they retreated from Chosin Reservoir. I know that Joseph R. Owen's book "Colder than Hell" mentions a Sgt Dale and a Navy Corpsman "Doc" Mickens were among the African-Americans integrated into the company but they were killed during that campaign. It had also been over 60 years since the documentary was produced so it's quite possible they were not able to interview all the remaining survivors.
study the Montford Point Marines. That was the segregated boot camp for Black Marines.
Andy Tang Why classify them into ethnicity? They are Marines.
Andy Tang how about a one legged, transgendered, native American, Muslims point of view?
Very sad
When I was stationed in DC in the Honor Guard I got the chance to meet and listen to Major Lee when he came to the barracks. He's a straight G, it was a honor to meet him.
I was the only Asian in my class at elementary and middle school. I felt shy because I wasn’t like the others. Even at time the others called me names and for some reason they only know to call by Chinese and disregard any other Asian nationality.
Well I was Chjnese nor do I speak Chinese, anyways, it was in my high school years when there were a few other Asians and I guess we just sat together at the lunch table and it became an Asian table, all the Asians started hanging around there.
It’s sucks that we have to feel like we are different.
Asian like to stick to their own kind, like any other race. We just feel like we can relate more. Yea at times there will be an outsider coming in and we always welcome them.
I hope for everybody to get and have other race friend into their circle not just 1 but a couple so that we can grow to understand one another better. Accept that we are all different but yet all so like in many ways. We have to go out and explore and find likes and grow together there.
You say to accept differences and explore like things with different, yet you still hang out with people who LOOK the same with you. Do you really have things hard? People in the past have had it way worse and have had to see the good as hard as they can, and to fight and persevere. What you see here, the adversity, is not something that exists anymore, so widely. Just do a good job, and you'll earn the respect. Kids are mean to you? Stand up to them, talk to them anyway, show that you're a person as well instead of bitching. An Asian, black, whatever kind of person has done every single thing a white person has in this country.
Kevin Zhang No, Asians and Blacks didn’t found this country, Whites did. It doesn’t mean anything, but that’s the reason why SOME only see white Americans as Americans, and anyone else as outsiders.
thank you for admitting that Asians seem to only hang out with other Asians. I am not sure I could date an Asian guy who ONLY had Asian friends.
No buddy, youre just a snowflake. Pointless high school social problems are done, and it becomes based on your merit of being respected as an American.
@@vic_0315 Native Americans, who are Asians, founded this country.
One hell of a Marine , I heard from my old Regimental Sergeant Major. Now he served in WW2 , Korea, and Viet Nam. So when he said Lee was one hell of a Marine, he was!!!
Kurt Lee was an amazing person. He gave a detailed oral history about his life and experiences in the book "Fighting for the Dream: Voices of Chinese American Veterans from World War II to Afghanistan" before he passed away.
It is sad that personal prejudice makes a narrow minded soldier have two enemies rather than one.
He may not look like you, he may not talk like you, but hell he is there to lead and to get you back each time alive, so leave the hate in the barracks.
(My father was Army and one grand uncle in 442nd, the other grand uncle in the Japanese Navy as a Zero pilot.)
my grand uncle also fought in the 442nd while some of his family was fighting for japan
My 3 uncles from Hawaii: #1 Served in 442 earned silver star posthumously in France. #2 served in Army only in Hawaii due to surviving son status. #3 was in the Japanese Imperial Navy until disabled in Manchuria campaign(he was in Japan when war broke out). I’m a retire Marine who also experienced subtleties while serving. I respect any and all Marines who served..no matter what their origins were/are. I only saw Marine green. And I am proud to have had the opportunity to have served for America despite its faults. It is still the best nation in the world to live and exist in. Semper Fidelis, Major(btw I also retired as a mustang Major). Much respect to you for your service especially in those days.
Our highest regards and gratitude to Major Lee. What a remarkable and brave man !
major lee overcame racism by being a good marine and a good officer
That last man said it all well!
I had the great honor of meeting and chatting with this legendary Marine war hero shortly before his passing. He should have been awarded the medal of honor and there should be movie made of his heroic exploits in the Korean War.
Come on this should become a movie
Im not suprised LT won his mens respect. If theres one thing a Marine loves, its a leader who knows how to win battles.
Semper fidelis
People are also forgetting that Lee was also an NCO, enlisted for a few years as well.
Lt. Lee never did "overcome" the racism in the Marine Corps. He should have gotten the MOH for his actions at the Chosin Reservoir (read "Breakout" by Martin Russ), but even after he save the entire regiment practically single handed and earned the Silver Star, the Corps never promoted him beyond Major. They shunted him off to the side for the rest of his career. He was a great officer. SFMF.
Lew James Thank you for mentioning the book by Martin Russ. He was my adviser in college and I took a course from him, too. The last time I looked him up he was still alive. He may well be gone now. 8/6/21
@@joankonkle6972 Wow that's fantastic that you had the chance to learn from him. What college was that? Did he ever mention Lt. Lee?
@@lewjames6688 It was at Carnegie Mellon. I am afraid Professor Russ never mentioned his work or being a Marine as far as I can recall. I see that his Chosin Reservoir book didn't come out until 2000 and I was at school many years before that.
Professor Russ was a quiet, serious, low key guy who was not one of those professors who was a great topic of student discussion. I liked him but knew nothing about him until the internet came along. I looked him up last night and he died on December 6, 2010 out in California, according to his brief Wikipedia page.
He was obviously a far more interesting person than I realized at the time I knew him. I suppose that is true of many professors, who interact all day with students while usually remaining mostly personally unknown to them.
I am sorry I can't be more helpful to you. I can see him in my mind now with his blue eyes behind his round wire rimmed glasses, always neatly but casually dressed in button down shirts with a colored t-shirt underneath. 8/7/21
@@joankonkle6972 A true hero. I'm so glad he wrote "Breakout" which not only told the story of so many of those veterans who survived Chosin, but also laid out the truth of Army politics and how McArthur and Ned Almond were NOT the people presented to us by our press at the time.
Thanks for your long reply! SFMF
Joe Owen said that their whole batallion thought Lee deserved the MOH for his combat leadership at Fox Hill, that he was robbed because his company commander was killed, and that they spent decades trying to get it approved. Maybe the surviving teammates can give it another shot now. What he taught as an instructor after Chosin must have been instrumental to the Marine Corps.
Utmost respect for Maj Lee (his 2 brothers in the Army and were also decorated for heroism).
With a long, honorable 24 year career (in my opinion), he should have been a LtCol on the retired list.
A truly great American and Marine. Keith
from what I was told my classmates father was the first Philippine officer in the U.S. coast guard.
They should make a movie of this. He deserves the respect from all over America.
we are one nation: American.
JP Morgan on a single planet.
That's not how others view it thou
This shows why we immigrants & foreign language speaking Americans are so valuable to the US Military. We come with language skills that others have to go to school & learn. The photo on the left is my Canadian Citizen brother in law, who's ability to speak French came in very handy in former French Indo-China. He was a Sgt. in the Americal Division & was KIA in May, 1968. Sad to see immigrant members of the US Military being looked down on & kicked out today. I salute you, Major Lee, from this US Navy & US Army veteran, to you, RIP.
Anyone with popcorn at the comment section?
+TheDude234576 I have some. I'll share.
+Quincy Don't forget the milk duds.
TheDude234576 XD
I'm a lifelong military historian and this is one of the things that's so fascinating about the hobby.... there is *always* another silly detail you missed. In my case, I didn't know about Maj. Lee.
My very first impression about this tidbit [it's not really long enough to be called a 'story'] was 'Huh. I would have thought the first Asian Marine officer would have been a Nisei...'
Nevertheless, Maj. Lee has just been added to my reading list.
Carl, if you want to get some of the back story on him, I suggest you start with the book The Last Stand of Fox Company, about the Chosin campaign winter 1950. Some of the most brutal conditions possible, and you'll be able to understand what he did, and why he should have gotten the Medal of Honor!
no offense but this is why asians are more successful in every aspect - they didn't cry and whine about racism, they worked hard and earned respect, turning prejudice towards them into admiration. keep in mind that before ww2, they were horribly discriminated against, discriminated against as much as the blacks were, and even after ww2, they probably still was some prejudice against them. thank you for your service mr.lee to this amazing country. god bless you.
ETRAUD NIVEK that was back than, blacks now just whine and plays victim
Thunderous Waffle and tell me, how exactly does the past effect the lives of today blacks. Not denying that there aren’t any racism, but to constantly blame your failures and actions on racism is a weak move.
No offense, but you’re European and I’m a black American. What makes you think you know more about the black struggle. 99% of my people constantly make bad decisions in life and want to blame the system for it. The victim and thuggish mentality is what’s holding them back. So don’t act like you can speak for my people when you don’t know.
@@BernieSanders-bn5dk Funny thing is that no black person successful to ANY degree will say that. Quit blaming others for your problems. What is your problem? Are you a hopeless victim to white oppressors and now you give up on life?
Any movie ideas yet? it would make a great one collaborating Hollywood and the Chinese movie industry with an endless amount of sponsorship.
Wow thats freaking bad ass.
You salute the rank, not the man
Gob Bob true but the man was also an important part of this story.
Yes Major Dick... Winters.
Without the man there is no rank,
Without the rank, there can still be a man to salute.
He is handsome no 🧢
Fortunately, more and more people all over the world increasingly realize there's only one race: THE HUMAN RACE.😊
That should be the next step
There's no such thing , US is bullying other countries all over the world.
@@cowholy3031 don't encourage racism
That's a good thought but by doing that you're just erasing the unique struggles faced by people of color around the world
because people confuse race with ethnic group...
From Wikipedia.
He said he "wanted to dispel the notion about the Chinese being weak, meek, and obsequious."[9] He did not expect to survive the war, and intended his death to "be honorable, be spectacular".[3]
Reminds me of the movie Annapolis. You work for peoples respect.
A unique experience for the young marines. A chance to meet someone of a different ethnic group. Yet still a marine and an American.
Inspiration;)
Shoot Asian or not, I'm sure you don't talk shit to a Marine Officer.
They should make a Band of brothers a-like series about Lee and his company
Thank you for your service and setting the example. I was proud to have served as a Asian American in the USN.
I was sometimes the only officer who looked different in our meetings. I am 6'2, 210 lbs, French Indian. Indian is from the Oklahoma Kiowa Tribe. I remember my father telling me "Son, if this is the profession you want, there will be allot of obstacles. But just like the obstacle course, you can make you way through it". He was a 36 year Army officer, 2 stars when he retired. He had dark brown hair, fair skin, blue eyes, me I get really dark in the sun, jet black hair and brown eyes. Even as the son and grandson of Generals, I was looked down on. I earned my rank, did my tours of duty, led my men.
Damn he looks bad ass.
This man needs a documentary
very Inspiring officer
If ANY DIRECTOR/ CASTING DIRECTOR looking,
- I can play him, I’m still young looking
I wonder how Native American Marines were treated
Or African American Marines
In honour of native American marines, military helicopters undergo an extensive selection process to determine which first people's tribe it best honours.
Like the Apache, Chinook, black hawk, Iroquois, and Kiowa.
He was quite a fine soldier and brave beyond doubt. A marine through and through.
reminds me of eugene choi in Mr. Sunshine !!!!
Hell yeah, because of him your platoon didnt get lost unlike the other LTs. Lol
Good Bless Him. Semper-Fi.
Nice! Colonel Young Kim is one of the most decorated soldiers of the modern US military and he served in a segregated army in an openly racist and segregated America. He was one of the officers of the famous 442nd during WW2. Men like Colonel Kim and Major Lee had to fight the enemy on the battlefield and racism, oppression, ignorance, and stereotyping from their own countrymen at home.
Salute to his bravery.
Respect
This was way too short. What happened to him and his men in the war? And what war was it, Korean? 8/6/21
simply heroic
Semper Fi !!!
The racism is always here, but this man has earned other’s respect
Chew-Een Lee was a fucking badass.
Such a handsome lad
Even now there are few Asian Americans in the Marine Corps. To us (Marines as a whole), race did not matter. What mattered was that you were a Marine and chewin on the same dirt as every one else. Expecting extra treatment based on race, religions, culture, etc was a fast way to outcast one's self from an organization dedicated to our single cause, support and defending our nation. Semper Fi.
They should make a movie about him...
imagine a Chinese born American telling cease fire I am marine then starts to fire his sks and pkm
Brave.
That's remind me Mr. Sunshine on netflix
Awesome story. Strength in diversity or weakness in racism. This country will need to make a choice and I hopeful that it's the strength in diversity.
As a black man in The Marines from 1970-1979 I can attest , it is a more racist environment than I grew up in and I'm from Cincinnati Ohio , one of the most racist cities in America.
Are you saying you experienced racism while serving in the Marines?
@@felixash9716 Vietnam era even decades after integration still had significant racial tension in the platoons - it's much better now.
Good for him
Fast forward to 2022, it's every man for himself
Being a patriot was never about colors or race. It is all about the country you choose to love, your serve and you vow to protect. So many ignorant ppl think it goes by the colors of our skin. He’s American. An American with Asian descent. He is a true representation of a Real American. Unlike cowards who makes judgement by ppls skin colors and never fought for America in their lives. I Salute this honorable American Chinese patriot.
Now that’s a real g
Semper Fidelis
He overcame by being an exemplary Marine, by being the officer that his men needed.
he knew the art of war before it was thaught in us military schools xD
MY MAN
He was a SNACK back in the day
You'll get SMACKED talking to an officer like that.
I wish they'd make a movie about him
Still deal with this shit as an Asian Officef today
They should make a movie out of this and name it sudden lee
Jude Ban yikes
Lol.
I always support these tough men who can showcase the world what is a real Chinese.
Theis guy won the NAVY CROSS , just below the Medal of Honor! Well done, Sir!
Actually the greatest Marine ever conceived never earned The Medal of Honor.
General Chesty Puller earned five Navy crosses but never the Medal of Honor.
On the other hand Major Pappy Boyington a Lakota Sioux did.
go figure...
And he even won the Army DSC!
Awarded. You don’t “win” awards in the Military
@@guitarhamster102 His men and even other officers said he deserved MOH lol. Luckily handing out MOH as a pity award isnt as bad now as it was before.
@@ironmike4843 20 Bronze stars with valor doesnt get you a Navy cross.
Brothers support brothers!
Should look at the story of an Australian chinese soldier named ""billy sing"". He grew up at a time where Australia had the White Australia Policy.
e Lamb He died in poverty at his final days. He was half Chinese half English! Although he was the highest scores sniper in WW1 in the Australian army, he was forgotten deliberately by the Aussie because his last name not English!
good officers and NCO's make all the difference.....
oh my ducking god, he looks like Kevin spacy
He looks good
First chinese man who in Marine
Change the world every race can be soldier
Once a Marine, always a Marine. Race and Gender does not matter in the USMC. Only Courage and Respect.
Yea lee
Lee was a hottie!!!
I thought it was choi eugene
Semper Fi Baby!
Looks badass
Semper Fi
Im N.Z Chinese but have historical family links to U S goin back 1850's railroads. Ive discovered since that time we had 60 or so kin served in the military, now the descendants look more caucasion than Chinese.
NZ Chinese?
@@honkhonk8009 Yeah im born here after Father changed his mind and opted for Sydney Aust then here in N.Z. I cannot change that but hey life is great.
This should be make in 🎬movie mel Gibson
It's not all about racism, there are also ignorance. Generally Chinese are suppose to be a East Asian races, not necessary must be born or from China or even communists, which some still thought so til now.
1:03 Steve Rogers
so he overcame racism by being an insane badass