During World War II, thousands of Chinese Americans served the United States in the military and on the home front even as they faced discrimination and legal barriers in American society. For decades, laws such as the Chinese Exclusion Act had restricted Chinese immigration and denied many Chinese immigrants and their descendants the opportunity to become citizens. Despite these difficulties, Chinese Americans volunteered for military service, fought in major battles overseas, and worked in defense industries and service organizations that supported the Allied war effort. Their participation demonstrated loyalty and courage at a time when their place in American society was still contested.
We Served with Pride is an award-winning film by Montgomery Hom that showcases Chinese American contributions to the war effort in World War II. The film provides a powerful and insightful first-hand look into the lives of Chinese American veterans who participated in major battles overseas, as well as Chinese American civilians who worked on the home front, in service organizations, and in defense industries. It is the definitive documentary on the role of Chinese Americans in supporting the Allied effort in World War II.
The film is available on the Center for Asian American Media website at www.caamedia.org. A free classroom-friendly teacher’s guide for this documentary film is available for download below. The guide is appropriate for advanced secondary students and university students.
The teacher’s guide provides students with crucial context on the Chinese American experience in the United States before they watch the film. Students then research five of the veterans highlighted in the film to learn what motivated them to fight for the United States and how they contributed to the U.S. war effort. Students share what they learned with classmates, then engage in a full-class discussion on how the contributions of Chinese Americans in World War II affected perceptions of and opportunities for the wider Chinese American community.
SPICE is grateful to Monica Yeung Arima and Adrian Arima for their generosity in making the development of the teacher’s guide possible. SPICE also greatly appreciates the generous support of the Chao Minami Family Fund for making the Visual Arts and Documentary Film initiative possible.