The Chinese American Experience Through the Eyes of the Flying Tigers September 22, 2011

During WWII, many second-generation Chinese Americans voluntarily enlisted in the Armed Services and fought for the U.S. abroad, including the 14th Air Service Group (part of General Claire Chennault's famous "Flying Tigers") and the 987th Signal Company. These two groups were made up of strictly Chinese Americans who responded to the need for men who spoke Chinese and had technical skills to serve in China during the war. Why were Chinese American armed service groups organized? What was it like for the Chinese American soldiers to be in China, a place they only know through their parents or text books, for the first time? How did fighting for the U.S. in China shape their identities as "Chinese" or "Americans of Chinese descent"? Join MOCA for a moderated discussion with veterans of the 14th Air Service Group and 987th Signal Company on their wartime experiences.