Mun Charn Wong
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Mun Charn Wong (born 1918, deceased 17 September 2002) was a Chinese American life insurance salesman, noted motivational speaker, and humanitarian. He was one of only twelve life insurance agents to be named as a "Legend" in the history of Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company. He was also the impetus behind the establishment of the Wah Kau Kong Memorial Award Scholarship at the University of Hawaii; the Wah Kau Kong Fund is named in honor of Wong's friend and colleague.
[edit] Youth and military service
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Wong attended Ka'ahumanu Elementary School, Washington Intermediate School, and McKinley High School. He attended the University of Hawaii and graduated with a major in chemistry before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, where he eventually was promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel. (In college, Wong was a member of the university's chapter of the ROTC). Wong's decision to enlist in the Air Force was inspired by that of his childhood friend, Wah Kau Kong. Wong was stationed across Western Europe and flew several missions over Germany. Wong played football on the Air Force team and was a noted quarterback.
[edit] Tragedy of Wah Kau Kong
In 1944, Wong learned of the demise of his friend: Kong had been engaged in an air battle with a German fighter pilot over Blomberg, Germany. However, no further information was available. Determined to find out what happened to his friend, and out of respect for Kong's family, Wong vowed to discover details of the duel and return any of his friend's belongings to the Kong family. Thus, Wong embarked on his own mission to Blomberg. Through interviews of local residents, Wong was able to find the specific location that Kong's P-51 plane (the "Chinaman's Chance") was shot down. Wong made contact with the man who carried Kong's body from the crash site and was able to recover his friend's remains, sending them home to Honolulu for proper burial.
