“I must say that after my graduation I made a special effort never to be involved to be in anything but (in the) Marine Corps,” United States Marine Corps Major Kurt Chew-Een Lee stated during the opening moments of his interview.

When remembering his commissioning and his motivations to service his nation in the United States Marine Corps Major Lee shared, “That was my intention to demonstrate that not all Chinese Americans are meek, servile or what have you.” This motivation against an “undercurrent of racial discrimination” propelled Major Lee into a service career of honor and distinction.   

Major Lee recalled his service career which spanned nearly four decades. Major Lee stated, “As an officer I was privileged to be selected for various combat units,” and being awarded the Navy Cross and Silver Star for in combat. The acts in which he was awarded these medals however were not recalled as his greatest contribution to the Marine Corps, instead the Major shared his opportunity to train others as being a high point in his service. 

When remembering his service the Major remarked, “The highpoints would be my combat in Korea and my combat in Vietnam. To my the most gratifying assignment, the greatest contribution to the Marine Corps  was when I was selected as the chief of tactics for the basics school, the every school that provides tactics to the regular officers.” Through his training of others Major Lee worked with Future Generals in the Marine Corps; General Charles Krulak who would later serve as the 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps and General John Sheehan who would later serve as Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and Commander-in-Chief for the U.S. Atlantic Command.

The United States Navy Memorial honors Major Kurt Chew-Een Lee, featured within a new series titled, Stories of Service, Story of the Month. Each month, this series honors a Veteran’s story recorded by the Stories of Service Program at the Navy Memorial.