Our Veterans
Robert Hong, Henry Soo Hoo and Wing S. Wong at the 14th Air Service Group reunion in Seattle, Washington 1995.
Henry Soo Hoo - Army Air Forces
Henry Soo Hoo was born in Boston, Massachusetts on October 8, 1923. After graduating from high school in 1942, Henry worked in the Boston Navy Yard as a machinist helper. He enlisted in May 1943. Henry was assigned to be a machinist and he served in India and China. His unit set up a semi-permanent machine shop which operated on various air bases. His role was to create tools and parts necessary to repair and maintain aircrafts. Henry was skilled in many different types of machinery such as shapers, lathes and milling machines. Henry flew with pilots over the Burma Road helping to deliver necessary supplies where needed. During his time served, Henry was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Henry received an American Theater Campaign Ribbon, an Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and a Victory Medal. Henry was discharged in May 1946. After the war, Henry worked for Anderson Nichols as an electrical draftsman. In 1947, Henry received a degree from Wentworth Institute in Boston, Massachusetts. He pursued a career as an Electrical Engineer, finally retiring in 1988. Henry joined the American Legion Boston Chinatown Post 328. He served as a Graves Registration Officer. In 1952, Henry married Jeanne Wong. They raised 2 children: Douglas and Denise and have 4 grandchildren: Jennifer, John, Kathleen and Bradley. Henry died in October 1999 at the age of 76.
Raymond Lee Mar - Army
Raymond Lee Mar was a native San Franciscan, whose parents immigrated from the Zhongshan County, Shiqi City, Guangdong Province, China. “I grew up in the Chinatown slums, very poor, from a family of 11.” Starting in his early teens, he helped to provide support for his ailing father, his mother, seven sisters and one brother.
Raymond, a Chinese-American, was drafted into the Army immediately after graduating from Commerce High School, San Francisco. Dad was assigned as a medic to the 500 Medical Collecting Company, 60th Medical Battalion, 6th Special Engineer Brigade. His Unit, spearheading D-day, was the first wave onto Omaha Beach, Normandy, “code name Omaha”. He continued into the Rhineland Central Europe. His last engagement of the war was at the Battle of the Bulge. Dad was honored with the Distinguished Unit Badge, EAME Campaign Medal with four bronze Service Stars and bronze Service Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal WWII, American Campaign Medal and Chevalier of the Legion of Honor Medal by the French Government. His last military position was clerical technician in the office of the Colonel. The Army then asked Dad to re-enlist, and his response was “I need to get home to my family.”
Upon returning home from the war, Raymond made a wholehearted commitment to never lift a hand against any human being. He survived some physical injuries and fought his own internal battles due to this horrific war. Raymond married June Hall in 1951. Dad took on the role of raising Antoinette, Veronica and Gregory, while Mom chose to pursue a medical career as a radiology technician.
Raymond sought balance and peace every day to heal himself from emotional battlefield scars. He lived unconditional love and forgiveness, the true medicine to heal internal battles. Our father often would be in his praying pose. He found serenity in his passion for gardening, planting seeds for growth, nourishing and cultivating, as he did with people. Dad was happiest spending time with his grandson PJ and granddaughter Samantha. Four generations regard our father as the Mar Family Patriarch. He was gentle and caring, with endless wisdom, and advocated healthy living.
Raymond lived his life with devotion and responsibility. “I do what I have to do. We are born, we die and hopefully we make a difference in between.”
Raymond Lee Mar journeyed to another life in 2016 at 91. We honor him in perpetuity with our love and with gratitude for blessing us with his presence on this Earth.
William Yee Chung Lo - Navy
William Yee Chung Lo was born in Honolulu to Tan Lo and Louise Kim Ho Lo on November 14,1917. He was the eldest child and first son like his father and grandfather. His great grandfather, Lo Den Kui came to Hawaii in the mid 1870s and was a successful businessman. Dating back many centuries in China’s history, some of his ancestors were distinguished individuals who achieved the highest rank in the Chinese Civil Service examinations and served in top positions in the Imperial government. William’s father was prominent in Honolulu’s Chinese community. He was born in Hawaii, began as a ticket agent at Oahu Railway & Land Co, and ultimately became head bookkeeper for the Dillingham family. William’s 5 siblings fondly called him “Happy” because of his warm and caring, upbeat personality. William grew up at Akoko Lane and Nehoa Street. He graduated from McKinley High School. At age 17, he attended Yen Ching University in China. He returned to Honolulu because of war between China and Japan. He attended the University of Hawaii, was a member of Tu Chiang Sheh fraternity, and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology. He married Alice Bow You Lau in 1942. With the coming of WWII, he enlisted in the US Navy. He was stationed in Honolulu and served as Yeoman First Class. Later, he ran a family business, Aala Park Inn. He then worked for the Dept. of Social Services as business manager for blind vendors and retired after 27 years of service with the State of Hawaii. William was the loving and proud father of 3 children: an accountant, a teacher and a judge. He was a patient and doting Grampa to 7 grandchildren. His unique creation of a family lingo lives on today! William was PROUD to be in the Navy!