Rear Adm. Willis A. "Ching Chong" Lee
Willis Augustus Lee, Jr.
Vice Admiral, United States Navy
Willis Augustus Lee, Jr.
Vice Admiral, United States Navy
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/walee.htm
http://usswashington.com/forkroad.htm
...The Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal spelled the difference between victory and defeat for the United States in the Pacific war.
Lee steamed northeast, passed Savo Island on the starboard side and turned east. From there on, Halsey's orders stopped and Lee's initiative took over...
As Lee's ships sped through the night, his radio operators heard American radio traffic. PT-boats were reporting Lee's moves in plain English, blaring, "There go two big ones, but I don't know who they are." The PT-boats swung in to attack Lee's ships.
Lee personally got on the TBS voice radio and called Guadalcanal, asking that the PT-boats be ordered to pull out. Guadalcanal, however, didn't believe Lee was who he claimed to be.
Lee bellowed his Annapolis nickname: "This is Ching Chong China Lee! Chinese, catchee? Refer your boss about Ching Lee. Call off your boys!" Lee's temper did the job. Guadalcanal answered, "Identity established. We are not after you."