Som Quong Wong was born on June 20, 1889, in Deadwood, South Dakota, to Chinese first-generation immigrants. His parents’ names were Dr. Wing Tsue and Hai Shek Ho, and he had six siblings. Som graduated from a local public high school in South Dakota before he studied architecture at the University of Illinois and engineering at the University of Michigan. In 1921, he worked in architectural and engineering roles in China, specifically in Mukden, Peiping, Guangzhou, and Tianjin. He later became the commissioner of highways in Guangdong Province.

He served in the Marine Corps as an intelligence officer, specifically a Chinese interpreter, in the First Marine Division, Third Amphibious Corps. His unit was involved in ground combat and conducted amphibious assaults, including battles such at Guadalcanal, Peleliu, and Okinawa. Som attained the rank of captain during his service. He enlisted on December 14th, 1944, and was honorably discharged on June 28, 1946. 
After his military service, Som moved to Culver City. He married to Yuet Ha Wang, and they had three children. 

Som Quong Wong received many awards, including the American and Asia-Pacific Campaign medals, and a Bronze Star commendation. He has a memorial exhibit at the Adams Memorial Museum, which showcases photographs, Chinese imports, his rifle, and the Bronze Star commendation. Som Quong passed away on December 7th, 1958, in Culver City.

This biography was researched and written by students as part of the Digital Veterans Legacy Project at Loyola Marymount University, funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Cemetery Administration


SOM QUONG WONG

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