Lee Wong Gem was born on July 16, 1920, in Nebraska. He was working as a Taxi Driver when he enlisted with the Air Corps in Chicago, Illinois, in 1942.

At the time of his death, Lee was serving in the 413th Bomber Squadron, 96th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Mechanic/Gunner on the B17G #42-97524. On June 22, 1944, his crew took off from Station 138 in Snetterton Heath, England, on a bombing mission in Gennevilliers. On their return, they were shot down by flak around 7:24 p.m. at 25,000 feet. All members were killed in this crash except for SSgt Duch, who was able to evacuate the airplane that crashed into the Avenue Estienne d'Orves in the commune of Joinville-le-Pont, France.

TSgt Gem is now buried in the Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, Orange County, California, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net