Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon
| Gordon Paiʻea Chung-Hoon | |
|---|---|
Admiral Chung-Hoon
|
|
| Born |
July 25, 1910 Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Died | July 24, 1979 (aged 68) |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
|
| Years of service | 1934–1959 |
| Rank |
 Rear Admiral
|
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Silver Star |
Gordon Paiʻea Chung-Hoon, (Honolulu, Hawaii, July 25, 1910 – July 24, 1979) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who served during World War II and was the first Asian American flag officer. He is a recipient of the Navy Cross and Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of USS Sigsbee from May 1944 to October 1945.
Chung-Hoon was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on July 25, 1910. His father, William Chung-Hoon Jr., a Chinese-English-Hawaiian, was a county treasurer and his mother Agnes Punana, a Hawaiian, was a member of the Kaahumanu Society. Chung-Hoon was the fourth of five children born to his family. He graduated from Punahou School in 1929.
Chung-Hoon attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in May 1934, becoming the first Asian American, U.S. citizen graduate of the academy. While a student he gained national prominence as the football team's halfback and punter, and in 1934 starred on the team that broke an 11-year winless streak against the Army team. In 1958 Sports Illustrated's Silver Anniversary All-American issue featured Chung-Hoon as one of its 1933 football stars.
After graduation Chung-Hoon served in a number of lower-level officer positions in the navy, including as a lieutenant (junior grade) on the USS Dent.
Chung-Hoon served on the USS Arizona as a lieutenant, but was in Honolulu on a weekend pass during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Chung-Hoon heard the attack from Honolulu and attempted to return to his ship but was delayed by roadblocks and traffic jams. By the time he reached the Arizona the ship had already exploded and sank.
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