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Chin, Arthur

Date of birth:
October 23rd, 1913 (Portland/Oregon, United States)
Date of death:
September 3rd, 1997
Nationality:
American

Biography

Arthur Chin was an American Pilot of Chinese decent. His original name was Chan Sui-Tin. He took part in the Second Chino-Japanese War as a Pilot and has been recognized as the First American Ace of the Second World War.

Arthur Chin was born on October 23rd, 1913 as the son to a Cantonese father and a Peruvian mother. Motivated by the Japanese invasion of China, he entered service with the U.S. Army pilot School. Together with 15 other Chinese-Americans he volunteered with the Guangdong Provincial Air Force in China becoming the first American volunteers entering the war. After a training in Munich, Germany he arrived in China. Between 1937 and 1939 he shot down 9 enemy aircraft. After having received serious burns in 1939, he returend to China in 1944 to fly again.

After his flting career he worked as postal worker.

Promotions:
December 1st, 1932: Warrant Probationary Pilot;
February 23rd, 1933: Second Lieutenant;
September 1st, 1936: First Lieutenant;
June 1st, 1938: Captain;
December 1st, 1938: Major.

Career:
?: Flight Leader 6th Squadron;
February 1937 - June 1937: Flight Instructor;
June 10th, 1937: Vice Commander 28th Pursuit Squadron, 5th Pursuit Group;
June 1st, 1938: Commander 28th Pursuit Squadron, 5th Pursuit Group;
December 20th, 1938: Deputy Commander 3rd Pursuit Group.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 24th, 1995
Received For his service with the CNAC from 26 March 1945 to 14 August 1945.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:
February 24th, 1995
Received For his service with the CNAC from 26 March 1945 to 14 August 1945.
Air Medal (AM)

Sources

Photo