Remembering Our History · Honoring the San Kiang Veterans — Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in WWII

Author： Rong G. Bao

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As we look back upon that turbulent era, we will never forget the courage and sacrifice of those who stood up against fascism, dedicating their lives to the cause of peace and freedom.

During this defining chapter of history, many members of the San Kiang Charitable Association of New York bravely joined the U.S. military, answering the call of duty to fight against fascism. Some left their hometowns and crossed the ocean to the battlefield, shedding blood and sweat in the fight for peace. Others gave their youth and service in silence, contributing to the global struggle for justice. Their deeds embodied loyalty to their homeland and devotion to the greater cause of humanity.

Sadly, as time has passed, much of this history has not been fully preserved. Today, only a few precious photographs of our San Kiang veterans have been recovered. Yet we believe that with continued effort, more stories and materials will be rediscovered, allowing the legacy of our predecessors to shine more vividly for generations to come.

Chen Gaohua Originally from Ningbo, Zhejiang. He came to the United States in 1937 and was the father of current Association elder Mr. Chen Zhifei. He was one of the earliest six leaders of the San Kiang Charitable Association. When the Pacific War broke out in 1941, the shipping fleet he worked for was requisitioned by the U.S. government as a military supply transport fleet. Mr. Chen Gaohua thus served the U.S. military as a transport soldier until the victory of World War II in 1945, after which he returned to his hometown of Ningbo, China. In 1955, he once again came back to New York, United States.

Shao Binhao Arrived in the United States in 1938 at the age of 17, among the earliest members of the Association. During World War II, he participated in the Normandy landing in Europe and fought in the liberation of Europe from fascism. He spoke fluent English. After the war, he returned to China, married, and settled in Ningbo, where he had two daughters.

Chen Shiyue His ancestral home was Wangjiadun, Dinghai, Zhejiang. Due to family poverty, he came to the United States at the age of 17. After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, he stayed in the U.S. as a seaman. When World War II began, he joined the U.S. military, serving in Kunming, Chongqing, and other places as part of the U.S. military advisory group, supporting the anti-Japanese resistance. After the war, he married, and later returned to the U.S. to work again as a seaman. He had three grandsons; one of them, Lance, now serves at the U.S. Embassy in China, working in drug enforcement. Mr. Chen Shiyue lived to 101 years old.

Pao San Née Born in 1915 in Longtang Village, Gaoxie, Dinghai, Zhejiang. He came to the United States in 1939 as a seaman. During World War II, he joined the U.S. military. After the war, he returned to his hometown and married. In 1949, he returned to the United States, where he raised two sons and three daughters.

Chen Dingxiang Came to the United States in 1937, originally from Dajushan, Panzhi, Dinghai, Zhoushan, Zhejiang. He joined the U.S. military on September 7, 1943, and was discharged on January 3, 1947. After discharge, he returned to his hometown to marry and start a family, before returning once again to the United States. In 1952, he reunited in the U.S. with his wife and eldest son. He was among the earliest group of Association members to donate toward the purchase of the Association’s building. Later, together with 37 Association members, he opened the “New Shanghai” restaurant on East 7th Street in New York, which became very well known. It was remembered by many older San Kiang members. The restaurant helped many newly arrived San Kiang immigrants by providing guarantees, job referrals, and support.

(Rui Rongcai Ancestral home in Dinghai, Zhejiang, born on March 13, 1919. As a teenager, he came to the United States alone, working in kitchens washing dishes and doing odd jobs. During World War II, he joined the U.S. military on January 9, 1945, and was discharged on April 14, 1945.)

Currently, there is no detailed information available on the three elders mentioned above.

Amy Nee accepting her father's Congressional Gold Medal.

To remember history is to safeguard the future.

On this solemn occasion, we honor the courage and sacrifices of our San Kiang veterans, and we are reminded that peace was hard-won. It is because of their dedication that we enjoy the safety and prosperity of today.

Let us treasure their memory, inherit their spirit, and pass it down from generation to generation — contributing to community unity, strengthening U.S.-China friendship, and safeguarding peace for the world.

— San Kiang Charitable Association of New York