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It is #AsianHeritageMonth and this is the story of war hero and spy William Gun Chong!
WIlliam Chong was born in Vancouver on July 15, 1911. With little formal education, he worked as a cook until he visited Hong Kong in 1941.
That same year, Japan invaded.
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WIlliam Chong was born in Vancouver on July 15, 1911. With little formal education, he worked as a cook until he visited Hong Kong in 1941.
That same year, Japan invaded.
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He was able to escape the Japanese and he joined the paramilitary unit of MI9.
Now a spy known as Agent 50, he spent the war operating behind enemy lines.
He frequently travelled back and forth from free and Japanese-occupied areas of China.
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Now a spy known as Agent 50, he spent the war operating behind enemy lines.
He frequently travelled back and forth from free and Japanese-occupied areas of China.
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His mission was to smuggle people and intelligence out of occupied areas, and smuggle medical supplies in.
He usually dressed as a beggar and always travelled on foot. He used a cane to hide documents & medical supplies.
Twice he was captured & twice he escaped.
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He usually dressed as a beggar and always travelled on foot. He used a cane to hide documents & medical supplies.
Twice he was captured & twice he escaped.
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For his service, he was awarded the British Empire Medal. He is the only Chinese-Canadian to be awarded the medal.
After the war, he moved to Vancouver Island where he operated a café.
He died in 2006 at the age of 95.
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After the war, he moved to Vancouver Island where he operated a café.
He died in 2006 at the age of 95.
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