Willis Augustus Lee
| Willis Augustus Lee, Jr. | |
|---|---|
Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee, Jr., circa 1942.
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| Nickname(s) | Ching |
| Born |
May 11, 1888 Natlee, Kentucky |
| Died | August 25, 1945 (aged 57) USS Wyoming (BB-32), off the coast of Maine |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Navy
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| Years of service | 1908–1945 |
| Rank |
 Vice Admiral
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| Commands held |
USS Fairfax USS William B. Preston USS Lardner USS Pennsylvania USS Concord USS Washington Battleship Division 6 Battleships Pacific Fleet |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Legion of Merit Distinguished Service Medal (2) |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's shooting | ||
Representing the  United States
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| Olympic Games | ||
 |
1920 Antwerp | Team 50 m small bore rifle |
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1920 Antwerp | Team 300 m army rifle, prone |
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1920 Antwerp | Team 600 m free rifle |
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1920 Antwerp | Team free rifle, 300 m + 600 m |
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1920 Antwerp | Team free rifle |
 |
1920 Antwerp | Team 300 m army rifle, standing |
 |
1920 Antwerp | Team 100 m running deer, single shots |
Occupation of Veracruz
World War I
World War II
Willis Augustus "Ching" Lee, Jr. (May 11, 1888 – August 25, 1945) was a Vice Admiral of the United States Navy during World War II. Lee commanded the American ships during the second night of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (November 14–15, 1942) and turned back a Japanese invasion force headed for the island. The victory ended Japanese attempts to reinforce their troops on Guadalcanal, and thus marked a turning point in both the Guadalcanal Campaign and the Pacific War itself.
Lee was also a skilled sport shooter, and won seven medals in the 1920 Olympics shooting events (including five gold medals), tied with teammate Lloyd Spooner for the most anyone had ever received in a single games. Their record stood for 60 years. He was the most successful athlete at the 1920 Olympics.
Willis Lee, a distant relative of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, was born in the rural town of Natlee in Owen County, Kentucky, on May 11, 1888. The son of Judge Willis Augustus Lee and Susan Arnold, he was known as "Mose" Lee to family and friends.
He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in 1904. While at the Naval academy, his Chinese-sounding last name, compounded by his fondness for the Far East earned him the nickname "Ching" Lee.
Following graduation, Lee joined the academy's rifle team twice. He was assigned to the battleship Idaho from October 1908 to May 1909, before returning to the naval academy and re-joining the rifle team. From November 1909 until May 1910, Lee served aboard the protected cruiser New Orleans, and then transferred to the gunboat Helena. Upon being detached back to the United States, Lee re-joined the Academy shooting team a third time. In July 1913, Lee re-joined Idaho, and in April 1914 he transferred to the battleship New Hampshire to participate in the occupation of Veracruz.
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