Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee 'Chosin Few' Letter Opener

A lot of items once owned by Major Kurt Chew-Een Lee (1926-2014) USMC. His numerous awards included a Silver Star, Purple Heart, and the Navy Cross for actions in the Korean War. The grouping includes Lee’s letter opener made from a bullet with the Marine Corps emblem on primer cap engraved 'Maj. K. Lee U.S.M.C. Chosin Few,' the Chosin Few star logo, and two swagger sticks that Maj. Lee owned one wood with 1942 sixpence cap and one leather wrapped. During October 1945 to April 1946, Lee enrolled in The Basic School. He graduated from The Basic School becoming the first non-white officer and the first Asian-American officer in the Marine Corps.

Dimensions are: swagger stick - 23 5/8 inches long, 60 cm; letter opener - 8 3/4 inches long, 22.22 cm. All measurements are approximate.

Condition: Crop has wear to leather and stick has scattered scratches. Flakes to finish of metal ends of swagger stick.

Provenance: From a private MD collection. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/11/us/maj-kurt-chew-een-lee-daring-marine-who-fought-chinese-in-korea-dies-at-88.html