First Asian American U.S. Marine passes

SAN FRANCISCO

Major Kurt Lee served in three wars and attained the rank of second lieutenant after the World War II. The 87-year-old Bay Area native served with valor in Korea, where he's credited with saving 8,000 men from capture or death.

He would later receive the Navy Cross and Silver Star and also served in Vietnam.

Last month he served as honorary grand marshal of the Chinese New Year parade in San Francisco.

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