OCA Remembers Private Danny Chen on Second Anniversary of Death
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 October 2013
CONTACT
Tom Hayashi | Executive Director
202 223 5500 | thayashi@ocanational.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. – OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, a national membership driven organization dedicated to advancing the political, social, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans (APAs), continues to remember Private Danny Chen on the second anniversary of his death.
On October 3, 2011, Private Danny Chen died of non-combat injuries after being “mistreated” by his superiors. The mistreatment included hazing and racial slurs from his superiors.
“The death of Private Danny Chen was a tragic loss to our community,” says Sharon M. Wong, OCA President, “And though it has been two years since his passing, we will continue to engage in every possible effort to ensure that policies are put in place that will guarantee that another tragedy like this does not happen again.”
Eight of Private Chen’s commanding officers were tried for their roles in the hazing activities. Of those prosecuted, four received a general discharge (one discharge was a resignation), two were honorably discharged, and two are still in the Army. While individual punishments included jail time, forced labor, reductions in rank, and fines, the trial outcomes were very disappointing.
Danny Chen’s case has led to national dialogues and efforts to eliminate hazing from military culture, including national legislation demanding that all branches of the military report their data on hazing. Through the on-going partnership between OCA – New York, OCA National Center, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led by Congresswoman Judy Chu and other members of the coalition, we will continue to advocate for existing and new hazing regulations and policies that include training, protection of victims and whistle blowers, and command accountability.
“When Americans like Private Chen decide to serve our country, we must honor their commitment by holding the military accountable for their health and wellbeing,” says Tom Hayashi, OCA Executive Director, “To this end, the next steps in pursuing significant reforms on hazing will include a Congressional hearing to review the hazing reports submitted by all service branches, along with amendments to military regulations to ensure all personnel along the chain-of-command have the appropriate tools to prevent hazing and bullying. And should hazing continue to occur, there must be policies and procedures in place to adequately discipline the perpetrators and hold them accountable.”
On October 3, 2013, OCA – NY held a candlelight vigil to commemorate the second anniversary death of Private Danny Chen in the Manhattan Chinatown.
