Memory Project

Howard Chan (Primary Source)

Published Online February 13, 2023

Last Edited May 3, 2023

This testimony is part of the Memory Project Archive

Please be advised that Memory Project primary sources may deal with personal testimony that reflect the speaker’s recollections and interpretations of events. Individual testimony does not necessarily reflect the views of the Memory Project and Historica Canada.

The Historica-Dominion Institute
The Historica-Dominion Institute
Howard Chan, after the Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver, British Columbia, February 14, 2010.
The Historica-Dominion Institute
Howard Chan
Howard Chan
Howard Chan in Patricia Bay, British Columbia, 1945.
Howard Chan
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They say, “We don’t accept Orientals on the service.” So a year later, I went over to participate, joined the air force, then I was accepted.

Transcript

At first I went to Jericho Beach [in Vancouver] to join the army. They say, “We don’t accept Orientals on the service.” So a year later, I went over to participate, joined the air force, then I was accepted. I was with the, flying with search and rescue. I was a wireless air gunner. Well, we patrolled the west coast from Alaska down to Seattle [Washington], back and forth, and we’re looking for Japanese submarines. Which we did spot a Japanese submarine just outside Victoria Harbour [British Columbia]. And I wired to Esquimalt [British Columbia] to the navy to intercept, but the time they get there, they’re gone. I guess they must have picked up our signal.