05/24/2026
In observance of Memorial Day and Asian Pacific American Heritage month. It is fitting to mention Hazel Ah-Hing Lee (Aug. 24th, 1912 to Nov. 25th, 1944). One of the two Chinese American pilots in WASP (Women AirForce Service Pilots) during World War II. The daughter of Chinese immigrants in Oregon signed up for volunteer military service against her parents wishes (for it was not suitable for a young Chinese lady at that time) when she heard of the Japanese invasion of China during WWII. She helped American male US Army Air Force fighter pilots to defend China from the Japanese. She die in the line of duty when her military plane crashed. She was 32 years old. Lee was known to write her name/nickname in Chinese characters with lipstick on the tail of planes she flew.