It was a critical time in history and the United States and China were allies fighting a common enemy: Japan.

Now, on the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, William S. Chen, who once was the highest-ranking Chinese American in the US Army, says "today the people of China and the US have opportunities for cooperation in business and culture in peace due in part to the sacrifices both sides made in that conflict."

Chen is a third-generation Chinese American who served as an Army officer for 32 years before retiring as a major general, becoming the first Chinese American to wear a two-star ranking in the Army. His background and that of his father offers a fascinating glimpse into the assimilation of a Chinese family in the US through the military, the early development of aviation and WWII.

Chen's father, Hong-Mon Chen was born in Columbus, Ohio, and was an aviation pioneer who graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in aeronautical engineering in 1932. He was a pilot for the US Mail Service and a US Army Air Corps pilot in World War II with the Flying Tigers (the 14th Air Force). He later became an airline executive and aviation consultant.

Lieutenant General Claire Lee Chennault led the Flying Tigers, an all-volunteer service, in China before the US entered World War II. When America entered the war, he took command of allied air forces in China. The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, were formed to help China drive out invading Japanese troops.

"The Flying Tigers and General Chennault made a major contribution to saving China during the war," Chen told China Daily. "The Chinese people contributed a lot to supporting Gen. Chennault and the Flying Tigers."

Chen said his father served as Chennault's personal liaison officer with the Chinese Air Force during the war. When the war ended, Chennault formed CAT (Civil Air Transport) that airlifted supplies into war-ravaged China using surplus World War II aircraft. Chen's father worked for CAT.

Chen's father was born in the US while he was born in Shanghai. Like his father, Chen also graduated from the University of Michigan, in 1961, and later earned an MBA from Auburn University. He also attended the Air Command and Staff College, Defense Systems Management College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. In 2014, the University of Michigan named him a Distinguished Aerospace Engineering Alumnus.

Chen has no regrets about pursuing a career in the military.

"I was exposed to the military as a young child as my father had many friends who were in the military," he said.

"The military provides excellent training and the opportunity to demonstrate leadership. Usually the military places you in a supervisor's role early in your career. Advancement is a relatively straight forward process. You are evaluated and judged on your effort and contribution."

Chen said he would encourage Chinese Americans to consider a military career. "Being in the Army is a lot like being on a sports team," said Chen. "You have to prove yourself with performance and earn respect from your teammates."

He acknowledges that racism can sometimes occur in the military as it does in other workplaces.

"I believe that when someone enters the Army they should understand its tradition and culture. In the Army it's very important to establish relationships with your peers and supervisors. If stereotyping or some other type of incident occurs, you must understand it's based upon ignorance. Both parties have to work together as members of a team," he said.

paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com