[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 15147-15148]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING WORLD WAR II VETERAN, AVIATOR AND PATRIOT LT. VICTOR B. SCHOON

                                  _____
                                 

                             HON. JUDY CHU

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2012

  Ms. CHU. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a great loss to our 
community, Lt. Victor B. Schoon, who passed away on September 25, 2012 
at the age of 93. My heart goes out to his loving children, Andra Lew, 
JoAnna Schoon-Kormo, and Marcus Victor Schoon; his grandchildren, 
Michael Lew, Kenneth Schoon, Juliarma Marie Schoon, Eric Konno and 
Allison Konno; and the rest of his family, friends and loved ones. He 
now goes to join his loving wife, Dora Song, who passed away in 1999.
  When Lt. Schoon enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943, he did so 
during a time when Chinese Americans could not vote, could not 
immigrate to the United States, and could not

[[Page 15148]]

even become citizens. But he enlisted anyway, regardless of the 
prejudice and discrimination he faced. Such was his patriotism to his 
country.
  Within two short years of his enlistment, Lt. Schoon had become a 
First Lieutenant piloting his own B-17 over the European Theatre during 
World War II. He served with distinction, stationed with the 340th Bomb 
Squadron, 97th Bomb Group based in Foggia, Italy between 1944 and 1945.
  During that time he saw air combat over the Balkans, Southern France, 
Germany, Rome, Arno and the North Appennines. And thanks to his 
bravery, skill and flying prowess, he flew 50 successful missions, 
bringing all of his 9 crew members home safely, and contributing to the 
Allies' defeat of the Axis powers and the end of the war.
  For his efforts he was rewarded with the European, African and Middle 
Eastern Theater Service Medal; an Air Medal with 2-Oak Leaf Cluster; 
and a Distinguished Unit Badge.
  He went on to receive an honorable discharge, enrolled at the 
University of California, Berkeley and earn a bachelor's degree in 
architecture. He became a successful architect, drawing custom office 
buildings for various prestigious firms and opened his own 
architectural firm in Hollywood.
  But this selfless patriot, who dropped out of high school to help 
provide for his nine siblings after his parents' death, who enlisted in 
the military despite the prejudice of the times and great personal 
danger to himself, and who went on to serve his community so admirably, 
died before receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal he so 
deserved.
  I urge my House colleagues to join me in honoring Lt. Schoon for his 
record of bravery, indomitable spirit and remarkable service to his 
community and to our nation.

                          ____________________