Chinese American Father and Son’s Military Journey: From Flying Tiger to Major General

Moon Chen, his wife Priscilla, and their sons William Chen (R) and Bob Chen. Courtesy of William Chen

On Dec. 7, 2009, Moon Chen’s last gesture before he passed away was a thumbs-up. According to his second son, retired U.S. Army Major General William S. Chen, it meant “A-OK” as a pilot’s gesture and “the Very Best” in Chinese culture. Both of which represented Moon, a Flying Tiger veteran’s satisfaction with his life.

“He [Moon Chen] had a tough life. He had to learn a lot on his own. And so his success was due to his drive, his ambition, and his passion,” Chen said.

An Orphan’s Dream of Flying

Moon Chen’s mother, Hayley Wong, died of the 1918 Spanish Flu. His father Chan Fong died six years later. Orphaned at 15, Moon Chen had to work his way through high school and college. He received a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Michigan in 1932, but could not find a job in engineering due to the Great Depression and discrimination against Asians in the aviation industry.