Individual Details
Frank Shoo Fong
(9 Apr 1919 - 24 Mar 2007)
Events
| Birth | 9 Apr 1919 | Augusta, Georgia, United States | |||
| Death | 24 Mar 2007 |  | |||
| Military | The first Chinese American fighter pilot to fly with the U.S. Army Air Corp in the European Theater (See obituary in Death Note) | ||||
| Occupation | Commercial artist, graphic designer and illustrator (See obituary in Death Note) |
Families
| Child | Gigi Fong |
Notes
Death
Obituary:Frank Shoo Fong, 87, highly decorated fighter pilot, artist
By Robert Nolin Staff Writer
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
March 27, 2007
A highly decorated fighter pilot who served in two wars but was an artist at heart, Frank Shoo Fong died Saturday at the Cleveland Clinic in Weston. He was 87.
The son of Chinese immigrants, Mr. Fong was born in Augusta, Ga., and moved to Miami-Dade County in the late '50s, said his daughter Gigi Fong-Turkel. About four years ago he moved to his present home in Weston.
Mr. Fong served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, most notably at the Normandy invasion, and also during the Korean Conflict. He flew both P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang fighter planes, and was awarded numerous medals, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight Air Medals, the Purple Heart, and the European Theatre Ribbon with six Bronze Stars. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel, blind in his left eye and suffering back pain from a plane crash.
The Veterans Administration denied Mr. Fong's claim for disability and back pay, and he accepted the ruling -- until 1953. Mr. Fong pressed his claim and only in 2005, after saying it had to thoroughly verify all information, did the VA grant him $67,000 in back pay.
But the experience didn't sour Mr. Fong on flying.
"After the service he kept his license and flew Cessnas for fun," Fong-Turkel said. He also built model airplanes, which he displayed in his home.
Mr. Fong was a gregarious man who loved outings with friends. "He always liked to have company," Fong-Turkel said. "He had a lot of friends. Many people are calling and sharing stories about him."
He also liked to paint airplanes and portraits -- especially of women. "He had an amazing talent," his daughter said.
He put his talent to use by working as a graphic artist for area advertising agencies.
Besides a daughter, Mr. Fong is survived by a sister, Mazie Mon Goy, Pembroke Pines; a son-in-law, Doug Turkel; and a grandson, Jason Colby Turkel, both of Miami Shores. There will be a visitation Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a celebration of his life at 2 p.m. at Panciera Van Orsdel Funeral Home, 100 S. Douglas Road, Pembroke Pines.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2007-03-27-0703260270-story.html