Gordon Chung-Hoon
Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon | |
|---|---|
 Admiral Chung-Hoon | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1934-1959 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | Navy Cross Silver Star |
Gordon Pai'ea Chung-Hoon, (Honolulu, Hawaii, July 10, 1910 - July 24 1979) was an admiral in the United States Navy, who served during World War II. His father, William Chung-Hoon Jr., a Chinese Hawaiian, was a County Treasurer and his mother Agnes Punana, a Hawaiian, was a member of the Kaahumanu Society. His grandfather was William Chung-Hoon, Sr.
He attended the United States Naval Academy and graduated in May 1934. While a student he gained national prominence as the football team's halfback and punter, and in 1934 starred on the team that broke an 11 year winless streak against Army. He is a recipient of the Navy Cross and Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary heroism as commanding officer of USS Sigsbee (DD-502) from May 1944 to October 1945.
In the spring of 1945, Sigsbee assisted in the destruction of 20 enemy planes while screening a carrier strike force off the Japanese island of Kyūshū. On April 14, 1945, while on radar picket station off Okinawa, a kamikaze crashed into Sigsbee, reducing her starboard engine to five knots and knocking out the ship's port engine and steering control. Despite the damage, then Commander Chung-Hoon valiantly kept his antiaircraft batteries delivering "prolonged and effective fire" against the continuing enemy air attack while simultaneously directing the damage control efforts that allowed Sigsbee to make port under her own power.
He retired in October 1959 as a Rear Admiral and died in July 1979.
Namesake
The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Chung-Hoon is named for him.