June 2013

A three-day summit – entitled Red Tails and Dragon Tales – brought together, for the first time ever, two groups of WWII veterans that faced discrimination: the Tuskegee Airmen and Chinese-Canadian veterans. Both groups’ military contributions were instrumental to helping the Allies win the war and also to changing societal attitudes in their home countries.

While most of their ranks have passed away, a few remaining veterans, mostly in their late 80s and 90s, met to share their stories.

During WWII, the Tuskegee airmen were the first group of African-American aviators to fly in combat for the US armed forces. At the time, the American military was still racially segregated. Many felt African-Americans lacked the intelligence and skill to perform anything beyond basic, menial tasks in military duty. Despite this segregation and prejudice, the Tuskegee Airmen went on to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups in the war. They were dubbed “the Red Tails” after one fighter group painted their P47s and later P51s with a red tail.

Meanwhile here in Canada, men and women of Chinese descent, who were born in Canada, were not allowed to vote. As well, the 1923 Exclusion Act was still in effect. That Act essentially banned Chinese Immigration to Canada. Despite this discrimination, when the WWII broke out, Chinese men and women volunteered in the hundreds to fight for Canada. They enlisted in every branch of the armed forces and participated in every theatre of war. The result: on May 14, 1947 Chinese-Canadians were finally granted the right to vote.

Dozens of people came out to hear the stories of these amazing veterans. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet some veterans that changed everything.

Special thanks to the people and organizations that helped make this meeting possible: the Consulate of the United States Consulate; the City of Vancouver; and our very good friend and supporter, Don Chapman.

Our special exhibition explored the experiences of Chinese-Canadian who served in the Canadian military and volunteer services and in Allied war efforts during the Second World War. Though denied rights and subjected to widespread discrimination before the war, many Chinese-Canadians volunteered for military service and related duties, helping to secure victory abroad and greater equality at home.

One War, Two Victories exhibition at the Canadian War Museum (2012)

The exhibition presented fascinating wartime stories of unforgettable men and women. It examined their remarkable contributions to Canada and to the Chinese-Canadian community in war and peace. The research and exhibition, as well as digital archive of these precious materials, was made possible through a grant from the Community Historical Recognition Program.  We are also grateful for the wonderful support from the Canadian War Museum, and the City of Vancouver.

This exhibit was displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa from May 2012 to February 2013. It has travelled to other venues since then.

The display boards are available for loan to organizations who wish to share this important but lesser known part of Canadian history.

We thank the Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the grant to develop the display boards. And we thank the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa for their guidance and support in the development of the exhibition.

Here are some photos from the opening of the exhibit, thanks to our friend in Ottawa, Robert Yip.

WWII veterans (from left to right) Ed Lee; George Chow, Peggy Lee and Frank Wong cut the ribbon the One War, Two Victories exhibition at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Chinese Canadian veterans meet with Ottawa-area high school students and share their stories of the double victory at the Canadian War Museum. In this photo, Howe Lee, founding president of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum is presenting. 

WWII veteran Ed Lee, points to a photo of himself taken while he was stationed in India.

Chinese Canadian veterans delegation poses with Canadian War Museum and other supporters.