Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon’s naval career spans three decades and two major U.S. conflicts.
He was the first Asian American to graduate from the Naval Academy, and the first Asian
American to reach flag officer.
Yet, more than anything, it was the actions he took on April 14th, 1945, while in command
of the destroyer USS Sigsbee (DD 502) off Okinawa, that served as his defining moment.
As a result of his decision-making, under tremendous pressure, Chung-Hoon saved the
lives of many sailors and the ship itself.
For those remarkable acts of heroism, Chung-Hoon received both the Navy Cross and Silver Star.
His incredible accomplishments undoubtedly helped pave the way for Asian Americans in
the U.S. Navy.
People from his immediate community remembered Chung-Hoon as being stern, compassionate,
and a family man.
Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon was born on July 25th, 1910 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
His mother was Hawaiian and his father was a Chinese-English-Hawaiian.
Chung-Hoon graduated from Punahou high school in 1929.
Then, he moved to Maryland to attend preparatory school, after which he gained acceptance into
the Naval Academy.
Before he became a war hero, Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon was a football star.
The Navy football team was on a losing streak against its biggest rival, Army.
This losing streak was in its 11th year.
However, Chung-Hoon, the team’s halfback and punter played a crucial role in turning
the tables with his exceptional play, and he helped bring the losing stretch to an end.
His success was highlighted in 1958 in a special feature of Sports Illustrated.
He graduated in May of 1934 as the first Asian American to graduate from the Naval Academy.
Ensign Chung-Hoon’s first duty was aboard USS Indianapolis (CA 35).
Chung-Hoon’s second assignment was the destroyer named for Captain John H. Dent,
USS Dent (DD 116).
Then, as a Lieutenant, Chung-Hoon was assigned to USS Arizona (BB 39).
On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
One of the ships docked at Pearl Harbor was USS Arizona.
Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania class battleship could not withstand the armor-piercing bomb
that exploded in the ship’s magazine.
1,177 of its crew went down with the ship.
When the attack occurred, Chung-Hoon was on weekend liberty, but upon hearing of the strike,
he made every attempt possible to get back to his ship.
By the time he arrived, the vessel had already met its demise.
By 1945, Gordon Pai‘ea Chung-Hoon had taken command of the Fletcher-class destroyer USS
Sigsbee (DD 502).
As part of Task Force 58, the ship helped neutralize airfields in support of airstrikes
for the anticipated assault on Okinawa.
After it linked with picket ships near the island, Sigsbee was hit by a kamikaze.
The ship’s port engine and steering control were knocked out of commission.
23 sailors were killed by the explosion.
When Admiral Halsey suggested that Chung-Hoon scuttle the ship, he declined to do so out
of concern for those Sailors who were unable to swim.
So, while he and his crew worked to keep the ship from flooding, USS Sigsbee was able to
maintain effective anti-aircraft fire, striking down 20 planes.
The ship made it to port.
For his leadership, Chung-Hoon received the Navy Cross and Silver Star.
During the Korean War, he commanded the USS John W. Thomason (DD 760).
Chung-Hoon went on to captain USS Norton Sound (AV 11/AVM 1).
In 1959, he was promoted to Rear Admiral, another “first” for Asian Americans.
After his naval career ended, he was appointed head of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
in 1961.
Gordon ‘Pai Chung-Hoon passed away on July 24th, 1979.
In honor of Rear Admiral Chung-Hoon, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG
51) was commissioned in 2004 at its homeport at Pearl Harbor.
He was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Chung-Hoon’s legacy can best be summarized by USS Chung-Hoon’s motto, which is, “go
forward sea warriors.”