Page 4 - MidWeek Windward - Jan 4, 2023

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JANUARY 4, 2023
Kāne‘ohe Native Honored With Medal
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Donald Lee was born in Kāne‘ohe in 1925, and later served the nation as a Mer- chant Marine. Due to his honorable deeds that played a critical role in a time of war, on Nov. 10 he received the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Medal — the highest expression of national appreciation to a U.S. Merchant Marine.
After graduating from Kings Point U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1947 with a chief engineering steam and motor vessel li- cense, he served active duty with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Korean War. After the war, he served as an engineering instructor at the Basic Train- ing Centers.
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The medal honors those whose dedication, heroism, and public service have creat- ed a lasting impact on Amer- ican history. Several of Lee’s family members were present to honor him at the award cer- emony, which was coordinat- ed by the company Northrop Grumman.
Donald Lee receives the Merchant Marine WWII Congressional Gold Medal Award. PHOTO COURTESY THE LEE FAMILY
Lee’s daughter, Anita Wright, says that her father dedicated his life to service.
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Lee’s service and leader- ship in the Merchant Marines provided fighting forces with munitions, food and supplies in the Pacific and Europe, which enabled strategic victo- ry in WWII.
He said he recently visited the Hawai‘i State Veterans Cemetery in Kāne‘ohe, which has these words at its entrance, “Tell them we gave our todays for their tomorrows.”
I retired as a commander,” he adds.
“In addition to ensuring the fighting forces received the munitions and production supplies to support the victory of WWII with the Merchant Marines, he continued to protect our country with his dedication to the U.S. Coast Guard for nearly 60 years. He has four children and seven grandchildren who are proud of him every day,” she shares.
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“Our Merchant Marine missions were to transport supplies needed to win the war,” Lee states.
In 1944, Lee received his appointment to the United States Merchant Marine ca- det corps. After completing his basic training, he was as- signed to the SS Texarkana and M.V. John Ericsson for a tour of duty in the Pacific, Mediterranean and Atlantic war zones.
“When you meet him you would never imagine he is 97. He continues to be engaged with the Merchant Marines, the U.S. Coast Guard and Kings Point Academy. He is so glad to be alive and is hon- ored to receive the Merchant Marine Congressional Gold Medal Award for WWII,” Wright says. “We are thank- ful that Merchant Marines are being recognized for their ser- vice to our country.”
“In April 1945, I sailed in the Mediterranean and cele- brated Germany’s surrender, and I sailed in the Atlantic to bring home troops from Le Havre, France ... at the age of 60, after serving six years in the Merchant Marine and 40 years in the U.S. Coast Guard,
While at the academy, Lee was active as a cadet officer and attained the rank of com- pany commander.
During the winter of 1946, Lee was one of the 60 first classmen chosen scholasti-
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