Sanders Nominates Bernard Boowah Chong for 2020 Veterans' Hall of Fame

State Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) nominated Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare) Bernard Boowah Chong of Springfield Gardens for induction into the 2020 New York State Senate Veterans' Hall of Fame. Officer Chong is currently a member of the Rosedale-Laurelton American Legion Post 483 in Queens, New York and helps with its food pantry program. He also mentors youth in the community.

“I am proud to recognize Bernard Boowah Chong for his dedication to serving our country and our community,” said Senator Sanders, who is a Marine Corps veteran. “He has done so much to help so many of us and is well deserving of this honor.”

Each year senators from across the State are asked to select a veteran from their district to be inducted into the NYS Veterans' Hall of Fame. The honor was created to recognize and celebrate outstanding service members from the Empire State who have distinguished themselves both in military and civilian life.

Retired Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare) Bernard Boowah Chong was born and raised on the lower east side of Manhattan. He graduated from the Clearfield Job Corp Center in Clearfield, Utah and spent six weeks working at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah as a combination welder for industrial productions. On August 13, 1974, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during the Vietnam and Gulf War eras until August 31, 1994 when he was transferred to Fleet Reserve after 20 years of Naval service. On September 1, 2004, Chief Petty Officer (SW) Bernard B. Chong was transferred from Fleet Reserve to the Retired List by the Secretary of the Navy after completing 30 years of service.

During his time at various naval commands, Chief Petty Officer (SW) Bernard B. Chong received numerous medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons, including: Navy/Marine Corp Commendation Medal, Navy / Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 times), Good Conduct Medal (4 times), National Defense Service Medal (2 times for Vietnam and Gulf War era), Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon (for the space shuttle Challenger accident investigation in 1986), Meritorious Unit Commendation (from Recruiting Command), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia, Recruiting Gold Wreath Badge (16 times for outstanding recruiting district New Jersey).

After leaving the military, Retired Chief Petty Officer (SW) Bernard B. Chong worked as a tower operator, train operator, and train service supervisor for the MTA (New York City Transit Authority) for 25 years before retiring. Retired Chief Petty Officer (SW) Bernard B. Chong is a strong advocate for the Transit Workers Union of America (TWU Local 100) and Subway Surface Supervisors Association (SSSA) unions and for veteran rights. He has received the Commanders Club Certificate in 2019 and 2020 for Disabled American Veterans from Diamond Leader New York Gene A. Murphy.