1) Born in San Francisco and raised in Sacramento, First Lieutenant Kurt Chew-Een Lee enlisted in the Marines toward the end of World War Il. At 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 130 pounds, he drew attention when he showed up to lead a platoon in Baker Company, 1/7th Marines.

2) As the first Chinese-American officer in the history of the United States Marine Corps, many of the fellow Marines had never met an Asian descent. Some called him a "Chinese laundry man" and questioned his loyalty.

3) Despite multiple attempts to reassign him, 1st Lt. Kurt Chew-Een Lee made it clear he was in the Marine Corps for one reason. He was there to kill communists.

4) He proved that during the Battle of Incheon where he single-handedly charged a significantly larger Chinese enemy force during a nighttime battle on 2-3 November 1950.

5) His strategic bursts of fire and random movements made the Chinese troops believe they were under fire from a significantly larger force. As they returned fire, their muzzle flashes made them easy targets for Baker Company Marines.

6) On several occasions, he got so close to the Chinese lines that he was able to yell contradictory and confusing instructions in Mandarin Chinese. By his own account, he was able to convince a squad of Chinese troops to cease fire by indicating he was a fellow Chinese comrade.

7) As they ceased fire, he dropped a grenade into their foxhole. His action allowed his unit to reposition and drive back the Chinese. For his extraordinary heroism, First Lieutenant Kurt Chew-Een Lee was awarded the second highest honor, the Navy Cross.

8) Less than a month later while Lieutenant Lee was recovering in a field hospital from a gunshot wound to his arm, tens of thousands of Chinese forces surged into the region, overwhelming 8,000 American troops fighting as United Nations forces.

9) His arm was still in a sling when he and a sergeant left the hospital against orders, commadeering an Army jeep and returned to the front.

10) On 2 December 1950, he was assigned a lead element to relieve Fox Company, 1/7th Marines from their encirclement in the Toktong Pass during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He'd be the point man of a 500-man element

11) First Lieutenant Lee would guide them in the extreme cold and poor visibility at night using only a compass. When the Chinese attacked and quickly pinned the Marines down, Lee did what he did best, he pressed the attack right back.

12) He ascended uphill towards the Chinese with his fellow Marines. Despite his right arm still in a cast from earlier wounds, he took another bullet just above his cast. The speed and aggression of the Marines' counterattack under Lee's leadership caused a fast Chinese retreat.

13) Over the next 6 days, Lee would continue to lead his men until he was wounded again and forcibly evacuated. His aggressive leadership would allow Fox Company to escape their encirclement.

14) For his action here, First Lieutenant Kurt Chew-Een Lee was awarded the Silver Star for bravery in helping to preserve a crucial evacuation route for 8,000 outnumbered American troops.

15) First Lieutenant Lee would continue to serve in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War as an Intelligence Officer and retired in 1968 as a Major. He lived a quiet life after the war, speaking regularly about his Marine Corps experiences.

16) Many of his fellow Marines often commented that Lee should have received the Medal of Honor on both occasions. Kurt Chew-Een Lee passed away at the age of 88 in his home on March 3, 2014, in Arlington, Virginia. R.I.P.