This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael Kohan (Mikey), ATCS
to remember
Chung-Hoon, Gordon Pai'ea, RADM USN(Ret).
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Contact Info
Home Town Honolulu, HI
Last Address Honolulu, HI
Date of Passing Jul 24, 1979
Location of Interment National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (VA) - Honolulu, Hawaii
Wall/Plot Coordinates M 454A
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
RADM Chung-Hoon was the first Asian-American to be appointed to and graduate from the US Naval Academy. When he was promoted to Rear Admiral upon his retirement, he became the first Asian-American flag officer of the US Navy.
After his Navy service, Gordon Chucng-Hoon served as the director of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (1/1961-6/1963). He then worked as a realtor.
Other Comments:
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Chung-Hoon, commissioned in 2004, is named for him.
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S. Sigsbee (DD-502)
General Orders: Commander 1st Carrier Task Force Pacific: Serial 0534 (1945)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Gordon Paiea Chung-Hoon, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of this profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. SIGSBEE (DD-502), a unit of an Advanced Picket Group, in action against enemy Japanese forces in the vicinity of Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 14 April 1945. Although his ship suffered major damage when struck by an enemy plane and all power was lost, Commander Chung-Hoon coolly carried out defensive maneuvers and directed his anti-aircraft batteries in delivering prolonged and effective fire against the continued heavy enemy air attack. Afterwards, he supervised damage-control procedure which resulted in his ship being made sea-worthy for a safe return to port under its own restored power. Commander Chung-Hoon's gallant fighting spirit, courage and unwavering devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Pennsylvania Class Battleship: Displacement 31,400 Tons, Dimensions, 608' 6" (oa) x 97' 1" x 29' 10" (Max). Armament 12 x 14"/45 14 x 5"/51, 4 x 3"/50 2 x 21" tt. Armor, 13 1/2" Belt, 18" Turrets, 3" +2" Decks, 16" Conning Tower. Machinery, 34,000 SHP; Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 21 Knots, Crew 915.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by New York Naval Ship Yard, March 16, 1914. Launched June 19, 1915. Commissioned October 17, 1916. Decommissioned (War Loss). Stricken December 1, 1942.
Fate: Sunk by Japanese aircraft during attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7 1941. Arizona still rests in the berth where she sank. A Memorial to her crew was built over the wreck in 1962. 1,177 Officers and Men were lost with the ship and remain on duty inside her rusting hulk. The wreck is still bleeding fuel oil, more than 70 years after her sinking.
