Honoring Great-Grandfather’s Legacy through West Point Cadet Awards
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West Point Military Academy Awards Convocation Reception
Left to Right: Department Head Colonel Rickie McPeak, Cadet Duncan Aylor, Dr. Martha Gallagher, Mrs. Anna Chao, Mrs. Margaret Chao-Yu, Mrs. Maria Wen Adcock, Cadet Bill Owens Jr. Photo: Maria Adcock
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This past Thursday I drove to the West Point Military Academy to present an annual award through my family in memory of my great-grandfather Lieutenant General Ying Hsing Wen, Class of 1909 and the first Chinese cadet to graduate from West Point.
I had attended the ceremony in past years, but this was the first year I would be giving a speech and presenting the award on behalf of my Aunt Harriet and Uncle C.C. Tung who could not attend. I was a bit nervous, but also excited about this honor.
I met up with my Great Aunt Anna Chao (daughter of Ying Hsing Wen), Aunt Margaret Chao-Yu (her daughter) and my cousin Wesley Yu who founded one of the two memorial awards. Dr. Martha Gallagher, Associate Professor of Chinese, kindly escorted us throughout the day.
At the Department of Foreign Languages Awards Convocation, my family presented The Lieutenant General Ying Hsing Wen Memorial Awards:
1) Excellence in East Asian Studies – Founded by my Aunt Margaret’s family.
2) China Travel Award – Founded by my Aunt Harriet and Uncle C.C. Tung of Hong Kong.
Excerpts from my speech:
I never met my great-grandfather as he passed away before I was born, but I had always heard stories about him through relatives. He was this larger than life figure.
My family researched how he came to study at West Point and found records that showed how Congress debated whether or not they should let this “Chinaman” into the military academy. Some opposed enrolling a foreigner, while others supported the move as a way to strengthen ties with China. Ultimately Congress approved his admittance, and history was made.
I read about him through archived New York Times articles. They spoke of Ying Hsing Wen as a popular cadet with the nickname “George Washington Wen.” He was intelligent and personable.
After graduation, he went back to China and joined the revolutionary force to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. Beyond his military experience, he also served as President of Tsing Hua University and was a senior member of the Chinese Delegation to the UN Military Staff Committee.
Even though I never met him, he affected my life. In the 1960’s he helped me dad to escape Communist China by coming to the United States. My dad briefly lived with him and received his education in the U.S. My dad eventually became an American Citizen, and I was born here in the United States. I know that my life could have taken a totally different path had Ying Hsing Wen not helped a member of his family. I think this is a great example that shows his true character.
Today I am proud to present the Ying Hsing Wen China Travel Award on behalf of my Aunt Harriet and Uncle C.C. Tung who founded this award and could not be here. This award is presented annually to a graduating cadet and provides a stipend for travel in China. The award is based on a research paper competition judged by the faculty covering some aspect of China or Chinese foreign relations. The winning papers will be collected into an anthology for use by future students or scholars.
It was an honor for me to represent my family at West Point Military Academy. I hope that future generations in my family will continue the tradition of presenting the award.
