Fang A. Wong (born February 27, 1948) is a retired United States Army warrant officer who served as the National Commander of The American Legion from 2011 to 2012.

Fang Wong
Joe Donnelly and Wong in 2011
Born
Fang A. Wong

(1948-02-27) February 27, 1948 (age 76)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materNew York Institute of Technology (BS)
TitleNational Commander of
The American Legion
Term2011–2012
PredecessorJimmie L. Foster
SuccessorJames E. Koutz
SpouseBarbara Lam
ChildrenEric Wong (son)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch Army
Years of service1969–1989
Rank Chief Warrant Officer 3
Battles / warsVietnam War
Awards Bronze Star Medal

Early life and career

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Fang A. Wong was born in Canton, China, and immigrated to the United States in 1960 at the age of 12. Wong's military career began in 1969 when he enlisted in the United States Army and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, serving for 25 months. Wong retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 in 1989.[1]

The American Legion

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Wong was elected National Commander on September 1, 2011, and promptly set out on a whirlwind tour of the 55 state-level departments of The American Legion.[1] Issues he lobbied for included promoting participation in the Legion for younger veterans and healthcare for older veterans.[2] Other initiatives included improving the efficiency of the VA disability claims process through greater digitization of paperwork and speeding up the transition between military training and civilian employment qualifications like requirements for a commercial truck driving license ("Don't tell me they can't drive a truck down an interstate").[3][4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Grant, Nichole (April 14, 2012). "National commander visits American Legion members welcome Wong". The Evening Telegram.
  2. ^ Forand, Jesse (March 29, 2012). "Legion's Nat'l leader pays visit to Post 1". St. Albans Messenger.
  3. ^ Santoni, Mathew (March 22, 2012). "American Legion commander urges employers to hire veterans". Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
  4. ^ Stiles, Bob (March 22, 2012). "Vets' leader: Care needed". Tribune-Review.
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Non-profit organization positions
Preceded by
Jimmie L. Foster
National Commander of The American Legion
2011–2012
Succeeded by
James E. Koutz