World War II Honoree

Gene T. Chin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

New York City, New York

Honored By

Barbara M. Chin

Relationship

Daughter

After immigrating to the US in December 1939, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on June 30, 1942. He served with the 859th Signal Company and Signal Section, Army Advisory Group to China. By November 20, 1942, the Fourteenth Air Service Group was formed with the first all-Chinese American personnel assigned to the 859th Signal Company. His rank was Private First Class. He received 8 weeks of Army Air Corps orientation at Paterson Field, Ohio, in February 1943. He received additional training in Springfield, Ill. and 8 weeks of specialized training in VHF Radio-Wire in Allenhurst, New Jersey. He was trained to repair and maintain various types of receivers and transmitters, including high frequency transmitters. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, one of nine units of the Fourteenth Air Service Group. The 14th Air Service Group supported the 14th Air Force commanded by General Claire Chennault. The 14th Air Force had been formed from the AVG (American Volunteer Group), better known as the Flying Tigers that supported the Chinese Air Force against the Japanese. As a member of the 14th Air Service Group, he was assigned to the China-Burma-India Theater. Informally, there was no distinction made between air and ground personnel. The 14th Air Service Group was part of the Flying Tigers. On October 22, 1944, he departed for the Burma-India Theater. On February 22, 1945, he departed for the China Theater. He was stationed in India and China for the duration of WW II. The places in China where he served as a radio specialist were Chunking, Kunming, Chengdu and Nanking. On April 19, 1945 he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal by the Army Air Corps. On January 21, 1946, he was discharged from the US Army Air Service, previously known as the Army Air Corps, in Shanghai so that he can re-enlist in the regular army as a PFC (Private First Class). He had served for over 3 years in the Army Air Corps. On January 22, 1946, he enlisted in the regular Army where he was assigned to a signal unit. On August 24, 1947, he was honorably discharged at Stoneman Camp, located in Pittsburg, California. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal as well the Honorable Service lapel pin upon his final discharge from the US Army.