Francis B. Wai
Francis Brown Wai (April 14, 1917 – October 20, 1944) was a United States Army captain who was killed in action during the U.S. amphibious assault and liberation of the Philippine Islands from Japan in 1944, during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for extraordinary heroism in action on Leyte.
Francis Brown Wai | |
|---|---|
Captain Francis B. Wai, U.S. Army | |
| Born | April 14, 1917 Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii |
| Died | October 20, 1944 (aged 27) Leyte, Philippines |
| Place of burial | National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Hawaii |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940 – 1944 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II
|
| Awards | Medal of Honor Purple Heart |
As a youngster, Wai liked to surf and he played several sports in high school and college. He graduated from college with a degree in finance. Although he initially planned to work with his father, he joined the Hawaii National Guard in 1940, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1941.
Wai was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), the United States' second highest decoration for valor in combat. After an extensive review of military awards in 2000, his DSC was upgraded to the Medal of Honor (MOH). Wai is the only Chinese American soldier to ever receive the Medal of Honor.