HAZEL YING LEE (1912-44)
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
Civilian Pilot
Place of Birth: Portland, Oregon
Service: Hazel’s immigrant parents married in America and raised eight children. Hazel saved money working as an elevator operator for private flying lessons. She became the first Chinese American woman to earn her pilot’s license and to serve in WASP during World War II.
Post-War: Hazel died from an accidental collision on a runway. She became the 38th and final WASP to die in the line of duty. Her brother, who was serving with the US Army in France, was also killed at the same time. Both were not allowed to be buried in the “white” section of a Portland cemetery. This was challenged by the Lee family and the two siblings were eventually buried side by side in River View Cemetery.