Watch a video about Hazel Ying Lee's life and legacy. Then, browse primary sources to uncover more about her experiences as an aviator and WASP pilot during World War II. 

Watch this video to learn more about Hazel Ying Lee's life, including her important role in World War II. 

Can you answer these questions after watching the video? 

2. How would you describe Hazel’s personality?

3. Who were the Women Airforce Service Pilots or WASPs, and why were they formed?

4. Describe Hazel's assignments during World War II.

5. What happened to Hazel in Kansas? Why do you think that was?

6. What happened to Hazel when she was on her way to Great Falls, Montana?

7. What questions do you still have about Hazel after watching this video?

 (李月英) was the first Chinese American woman ever to earn a pilot’s license and fly for the U.S. military. 

Hazel was born in 1912 in Portland, Oregon, where her parents settled after emigrating from China. She was the oldest of eight children. In 1932, the same year that Amelia Earhart made her transatlantic flight, Hazel took her first airplane ride. She was hooked immediately!

This photograph, taken in 1927 in Portland, Oregon, shows Hazel's big family. Hazel is standing at the back, on the left. 

Front row (left to right): Frances, Mother, Daniel, Father, Howard. Back row (left to right): Hazel, Florence, Big sister, Rose, Harry, Victor. 

Courtesy of Alan H. Rosenberg, Producer, "A Brief Flight," Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), Hazel Ying Lee & Frances M. Tong Collection.

A reproduction of black & white Family Picture of Lee's, taken in 1927, Portland, Oregon.

Front row (left to right): Frances, Mother, Daniel, Father, Howard
Back row (left to right): Hazel, Florence, Big sister, Rose, Harry, Victor

Photograph of the Lee Family

Museum of Chinese in America

Left to Right: Hazel Ying Lee, Hazel's instructor Al Greenwood, and fellow student Virginia Wong at Swan Island airport. They were part of the Chinese Flying Club of Portland. Virginia returned to China with Hazel. Unfortunately, Virginia died in China of malaria.

Left to Right: Hazel Ying Lee, Hazel's instructor Al Greenwood, and fellow student Virginia Wong at Swan Island airport. They were part of the Chinese Flying Club of Portland. Virginia returned to China with Hazel, where she took ill and died.

Photograph of Hazel Ying Lee, Virginia Wong, and instructor Al Greenwood

Back of photograph of Hazel Ying Lee, Virginia Wong, and instructor Al Greenwood

Hazel Ying Lee's private pilot license. Date of Issue: Oct. 24, 1932.

Hazel Ying Lee's Pilot License 

A black and white photograph of the second group of volunteers for the Chinese Air force. Hazel Ying Lee and Virginia Wong were the only two Chinese girls in this volunteer group. The group of Chinese gentlemen in the photograph are leading members of Portland Chinese Community of Portland, Oregon.

Photograph of the second group of volunteers for the Chinese Air Force

Back of photograph of the second group of volunteers for the Chinese Air Force

Hazel served as one of only two Chinese members of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), who worked to deliver military aircrafts and fighter planes during World War II. This was crucial to the war effort.

Hazel quickly emerged as a leader among the other pilots, and was described as “calm and fearless.” She was once forced to make an emergency landing in a wheat field in Kansas. A farmer, armed with a pitchfork, chased Hazel around her plane as he was shouting to his neighbors that the Japanese had invaded Kansas. Lee confronted him. She told the farmer who she was and demanded he stop immediately.

Photograph of fighter planes in mid-air. One is piloted by Hazel Ying Lee.

Fighter planes mid-air. One is piloted by Hazel Ying Lee.

2007.006.036 11-Fighter planes one piloted by Hazel mid-air 6 x 4.jpg

Photograph of Fighter Planes, one Piloted by Hazel Ying Lee

Unfortunately, Hazel died in the line of duty in a plane crash. She was delivering a fighter jet to Great Falls, Montana, when confusion in the control tower resulted in a crash between her plane and another plane. She was only 32 when she died. She was laid to rest in a non-military funeral.

This log book was recovered from the plane crash that took Hazel's life.

Despite their contributions to the war effort, WASPs only had civilian, not military status. This meant that they were not entitled to veteran benefits like disability compensation, medical benefits, education stipends, and government backing on loans. They were also not given military funerals. Hazel's family had to pay for her funeral and burial.

Courtesy of Frances M. Tong, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), Hazel Ying Lee & Frances M. Tong Collection.

This log book was recovered from the plane crash that took Hazel's life at the age of 32, less than a month before the end of the Women's Airforce Service Pilot (WASP) program. The crash occurred in Montana, when Hazel's plane collided with another plane in flight as they coordinated landing. The collision was due to a control tower error.

2007.006.002 Item 2 Hazel's Log Book.jpg

Hazel Ying Lee's Flight Log Book

Eventually, all WASPs were recognized as having military status, but it took until March of 1977. That’s more than 33 years after Hazel died. In 2010, she posthumously received the Congressional Gold Medal.

Hazel was a hero who was patriotic despite widespread anti-Asian sentiment at the time, and her courage and strength will always be remembered!

Standards for The Remarkable Life & Legacy of Aviatrix Hazel Ying Lee

Common Core - English Language Arts