[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 59 (Friday, April 11, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5338-S5339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             COMMUNITY HERO

 Mr. SMITH. Madam President, I rise to salute a World War II 
veteran from my home State of Oregon. Today, I want to recognize the 
life and contributions of Hazel Ying Lee, a courageous woman who died 
tragically in the line of duty.
  Hazel Ying Lee was born in Portland, OR in 1912. At the tender age of 
19, Ms. Lee piloted her first flight. The same year, she earned her 
commercial pilot's license at a time when fewer than 1

[[Page S5339]]

percent of American pilots were women.
  When she was 20 years old, Ms. Lee traveled to China to contribute to 
the war effort. At the time, women were not allowed to join the Chinese 
air Force, so Ms. Lee worked to open a school in Canton during that 
time and worked for an information group.
  In 1938, Ms. Lee returned to the United States just prior to the 
Japanese invasion of China. Because of her previous flight training, 
Ms. Lee was able to enter the Women's Flying Training Detachment, WFTD, 
and trained to fly a range of military planes. Ms. Lee was one of 112 
proud women graduates from the fourth WFTD. Upon her completion of the 
program in 1943, Ms. Lee joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots, 
WASP, an elite group that made invaluable contributions to the war 
effort.
  Ms. Lee was assigned to the Air Transport Command's 3rd Ferrying 
Squadron at Romulus Army Air Base in Michigan. From this post, it was 
her duty to transport aircraft to military positions from the factories 
around the United States. These women were responsible for the 
transportation of over 70 different kinds of aircraft, all critically 
needed for the war.
  While at Romulus Army Air Base, Ms. Lee attended Officer Candidate 
School in preparation to become a commissioned officer. Upon the 
completion of that training, Ms. Lee was one of a very select group of 
women qualified to fly all the Army's single engine fighter aircraft.
  In November of 1944, Ms. Lee went to the Bell aircraft factory at 
Niagara Falls, NY, to pick up a new fighter plane to be flown to Great 
Falls, MT. Bad weather complicated her trip and caused delays in 
landing in Montana. Ms. Lee was cleared to land by the control tower 
while another plane was descending to land on the same runway. As both 
planes lowered to the darkened landing strip, the control tower radioed 
for them to pull up. Due to a radio malfunction, the two aircraft 
collided and crashed onto the runway. Ms. Lee sustained severe burns 
and trauma in the resulting fire. Heroic efforts were made to save her, 
but, sadly, Hazel Ying Lee died of her injuries on November 25, 1944.
  Ms. Lee made a selfless commitment to her country in a time of great 
peril, ultimately giving her life to her duty. It is with humble 
respect and praise that I offer my recognition today to Hazel Ying Lee, 
in hopes she will always be remembered for her bravery.

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