Kwang-Ping Hsu
United States Coast Guard Captain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kwang-Ping Hsu (1936 – December 11, 2007) was a United States Coast Guard Captain and the first foreign-born graduate from the United States Coast Guard Academy.[1][2]
Kwang-Ping Hsu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1936  |
| Died | 11 December 2007 (aged 70–71) |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Military personnel |
| Employer |
|
| Children | Cindy Hsu |
| Rank | captain |
Personal life
In 1936, Hsu was born in Shandong province in China.[1] His father was a professor at Beijing University who studied pathology.[1][3] His father emigrated to the United States in 1945 for a teaching position at the University of Virginia.[1][3] In 1947, Hsu, his mother, and his sister would follow his father and emigrate to the United States.[1][3] The entire family settled in Charlottesville, Virginia.[1] Hsu would go on to marry Chinese-American Rosemary Hu.[1] They had two children, David Hsu and Cindy Hsu.[1][4] David Hsu would go onto become an Army Lieutenant colonel.[5]
Education
Hsu had applied to the United States Coast Guard Academy in 1957.[1] Hsu was admitted to the Academy and became the first foreign born cadet at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy when he graduated in 1962.[1][5][2]
Hsu went to the Naval Air Station Pensacola to complete flight training where he earned his wings at the Naval Aviation School.[1] At the beginning of his career, he flew HC-130 Hercules aircraft.[1]
Career
After graduating from Naval Aviation School, Hsu achieved the rank of lieutenant commander within ten years.[1] He earned two Coast Guard Air Medals for exceptional air rescue efforts.[1] He was station commander of Naval Air Station Barbers Point in Hawaii.[1] In 1986, Hsu flew the first U.S. military aircraft to visit China since 1947 while at Barbers Point.[1][4][2]
Hsu served at the Pentagon as Coast Guard liaison to the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the First Gulf War.[1] He was awarded the Joint Service Meritorious Unit Award and Joint Service Commendation Medal for his work during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.[1] During his service, he mentored Vivien Crea, who became vice commandant of the Coast Guard and the highest-ranking woman in the history of the service.[1][4]
Hsu retired from the Coast Guard in 1992.[1] In retirement he worked as a photographer.[5]