Description
John H. Fong was born in San Francisco, CA, January 24, 1929. The son of Chinese immigrants, Fong recalls his life growing up in Chinatown where his family owned a bakery and grocery store. During the Pan Pacific Expedition in 1939, Mr. Fong’s family opened a Chinese restaurant on Treasure Island, and he describes the excitement he had seeing exhibits from around the world. His brother, the only Asian to serve in his Army unit, was awarded the Bronze Star while fighting in the European Campaign during World War II. As a Chinese American growing up in San Francisco Fong gives detailed accounts of Chinese perspectives of the Japanese relocation, rice bowl parties during Madame Chiang’s visit and the vibrant nightlife of Chinatown after the war.