Francis B. Wai, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Francis B. Wai

United States Army Medal of Honor recipient

Date of Birth: 14-Apr-1917

Place of Birth: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

Date of Death: 20-Oct-1944

Profession: military personnel

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Francis Brown Wai (April 14, 1917 – October 20, 1944) was a captain in the United States Army and received the Medal of Honor for actions during the recapture of the Philippines from Japan in 1944. As a youngster, Wai liked to surf and he played several sports in high school and college.
He graduated from college with a degree in finance.
Although he initially planned to work with his father, he joined the Hawaii National Guard, commissioned a lieutenant.
Wai was sent with his unit to fight in World War II and he was killed during the U.S.
amphibious assault on Leyte, Philippines. He was initially awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the United States' second highest decoration for valor.
After an extensive review of awards in 2000, his medal was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. To date, Wai is the only Chinese American and one of only two non-Japanese Asian American officers to receive the medal.