Pearl of the Desert | Chinese History of Arizona, USA (45) Chapter 4: Guan Chongqiong Family (7)

Arizona Chinese Historical Association: Zhang Zhaohong Guan Chongqiong’s eldest son Guan Weili (William k. Toy) was born in 1921. 193…

Arizona Chinese Historical Association: Zhang Zhaohong

>Guan Chongqiong’s eldest son Guan Weili (William k. Toy) was born in 1921. He graduated from Phoenix High School in 1936. He joined the Arizona National Guard in 1938 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940. He received prewar training in Oklahoma and Texas and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry in December 1942. In the same year, he was sent to Panama and served as an infantry weapons instructor through North Africa and the Persian Gulf to perform missions in theaters in China, Myanmar and India. He then served as a Chinese Army Liaison Officer, his duties requiring him to participate in the reconstruction of the Chinese Army as it prepared to attack Japanese forces in northern and central Burma.

During World War II, Wei-Li Kwan was sent to England by General Stilwell to study so that he could assist General Stilwell and General MacArthur in fighting the Japanese in China. When he returned to Phoenix to visit his family, he left photos and descriptions:

I, a captain, was sent to England by General Stilwell after completing my first visit to the China-Burma-India front. Studied Chinese at Berkeley University in the spring of 1945. I would be able to assist Generals Stilwell and MacArthur in their fight against the Japanese in China. The program lasted four months, and upon completion I returned to Phoenix for a short visit with my family. Soon it will be time to say goodbye and return to the CBI front again. This photo was taken at the farewell party. All of my siblings were present except for two: the eldest sister Sou (Kwan Hsiu-yong), who is married and living in Chicago and was unable to attend. There is also a third brother, Gray (Guan Guannuo), who served in the United States Air Force squadron in the 14th Air Force under General Chennault.

In 1945, Kwan was assigned to CIG (the predecessor of the CIA) to serve as a White House messenger during the Truman administration. In 1950, he was commissioned to Korea and Japan, where he served as a translator and interpreter for Allied forces. After returning stateside, he served as an executive officer in Presidio, California. He then redeployed to the Taiwan Military Advisory Corps as an infantry unit commander and later served as a press officer in Okinawa.

>Weili Guan has outstanding military exploits. His medals include the World War II Service Medal; the U.S. Defense Service Medal; the U.S. Campaign Medal; the European, African and Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; the Occupation Force Medal (Japan); the Korean Service Medal; the United Nations Service Medal; the National Defense Service Medal; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, etc. Kwan served in the military for 20 years until his retirement in 1960 when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He was the highest military rank among Chinese in the state. He has served in state government, municipal government and numerous veterans service organizations, including serving as the commander-in-chief of the Veterans Association. In the Chinese community, he served as president of the Phoenix Longgang Association.

Kwan was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2002. He died on February 24, 2008.

>Guan Chongqiong’s third son, Guan Nursing (Grey k. Toy), was born in 1923 and graduated from Northern High School and Phoenix College. Entered service in 1942 and joined the U.S. Army Air Forces. Become a special forces soldier. In January 1943, Guan entered the famous Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to study aircraft instruments-navigation-bomb sights and automatic flight control. Assigned to the North African Theater in 1943.

From 1944 to December 1945, Guan went to China and served in the 14th Air Force (Flying Tigers) of the Chinese and American Air Forces. He became a member of the 20th Bomb Group and worked with Chinese soldiers and civilians to fight against the Japanese imperial invaders. Guan Nursing has won 5 medals including the European-Middle East Theater Medal and the Atlantic-Pacific Theater Medal. Kwan was honorably discharged in 1946.

After returning from the service, Guan took care of the family's businesses, including a grocery store and Shangri-La restaurant. In his later years, he also opened a fishing equipment store.

and two heroic sons (Guan family photo album)

In the Guan family tree, Guan Chongqiong's father Guan Guolai married two wives: Guan Chongqiong was born to the Zhou family, and Guan Chongyi was born to the Huang family. They are half-brothers. Quan Wing Yip, the son of Guan Chongyi, served in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army during World War II and participated in the famous attack on Normandy, France. Their mission at that time was to ensure the safety of the bridge and cut off the German army's communications and supplies. Guan Yongye was a first-class soldier in the 101st Division Airborne Force. After the victory of World War II, he won four medals including the "European-African Campaign Medal".

In the Guan family photo album, there is a photo of Guan Yongye in military uniform, with the words: Chong Qiong's fourth father and uncle Huicun. This "Uncle Father" is a title from Kaiping people, referring to his father's brothers of the same generation, which also means "uncle". Guan Yongye is the father of Guan Zongren, a senior overseas Chinese leader in Phoenix City. (continued)