Lifelong Cambridge Resident and U.S. Army Veteran Honored with Army of Occupation and National Defense Service Medals

The City of Cambridge Department of Veterans’ Services hosted an event on April 4 at Cambridge City Hall to honor lifelong Cambridge resident and U.S. Army veteran, Corporal Wing “Vinny” Wong, 94. Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) presented Mr. Wong with two long overdue military honors, the Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany Clasp) and the National Defense Service Medal. Wong served in Germany after World War II.

“Corporal Wing Wong is a living testament to the strength one can muster through sheer love of country,” said Whip Clark. “His story speaks not only to his personal courage; it also reflects the sacrifice and valor of an entire generation of American heroes.”

Cambridge city officials, including Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, City Manager Yi-An Huang, and Director of Veterans’ Services Neil MacInnes-Barker also commended Mr. Wong for his contribution and service to the U.S. Army and to the City of Cambridge.

Mr. Wing Wong joined the Army at age 19 in August 1948. Notable events during his time of service were the Korean War, the Berlin Blockade and Airlift, the building of the Berlin Wall, and the end of the Nuremberg Trials.

After being Honorably Discharged on June 17, 1952, Wong joined the Chinatown American Legion, Post 328, where he served a two-year term as Commander of the Post from 1975 to 1977 and led the Post march in the Boston Veterans Day Parade. He is currently Chinatown Legion’s longest serving Post member.

Mr. Wong worked at Harvard University as a cook before retiring after 29 years. He still lives in Cambridge and enjoys visiting the Cambridge Senior Center and the Veterans’ Services Office.

In 2018, the Cambridge Veterans’ Services Department and Whip Clark’s office began holding Congressional Office Hours the first week of every month to address individual cases where Cambridge Veterans could benefit from Congressional attention. This event on April 4 is a result of their collaborative effort to serve our local heroes.