A new health and fitness center on Schofield Barracks has been dedicated to Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Lee, recognizing his tremendous contributions as a soldier, educator, and community leader.
The dedication ceremony took place on June 9 and was attended by military officials, friends, and family, including Lee’s wife of 69 years, Rose, and his son, Henry Lee Jr.
Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Lee was born on June 6, 1930, in Castner Village near Schofield Barracks and grew up in Wahiawa as one of nine children.
His journey began early; he attended Leilehua High School and joined the U.S. Army at the age of 15 in 1946, fulfilling his dream to serve.
Lee made history as the first Korean American command sergeant major, completing a distinguished 24-year career that included service during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
Tragedy struck in 1968 when his helicopter was shot down while he was resupplying a unit in Vietnam with the 25th Infantry Division, a courageous act that earned him a Purple Heart.
Throughout his service, he held various significant roles, including being a drill sergeant at the Hawaiian Infantry Training Center and serving as the command sergeant major for the 1st Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade.
Henry Lee Jr. remarked at the ceremony, “With 24 years of service and a lifetime of contributions, Dad’s legacy lives on here.” He noted the special significance of his father’s birthday, which coincides with D-Day on June 6, 2025.
After retiring in 1969, Lee pursued education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii in 1974.
He went on to teach social studies at Nanakuli and Waianae public schools for five years and later contributed to the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies, where he served on various licensing boards.
His active civic engagement included a noteworthy 12-year tenure on the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board, six years as chairman, and a five-year term as chairman of the State Boxing Commission, appointed by Gov. John Waihee in 1992.
A member of the Wahiawa Lions Club and the Hawaiian Korean Chamber of Commerce, Lee was also a dedicated supporter of veterans, engaging with organizations such as the Military Order of the Purple Heart and Disabled American Veterans.
In recognition of his contributions, he was posthumously awarded the U.S. Army Pacific Mana O Ke Koa “Spirit of the Warrior” award on June 2, 2023, by Gen. Charles A. Flynn, who honored Lee as the “living embodiment of selfless service” to both the Army and the community of Hawaii.
Lee was also one of the inaugural inductees into the Tropic Lightning Foundation in 2022, cementing his legacy within military ranks.
Colonel Rachel Sullivan, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii, expressed the significance of Lee’s legacy at the ceremony: “Command Sgt. Maj. Lee’s legacy of courage, service, and aloha embodies the spirit of Schofield Barracks.
This gym will inspire soldiers to carry forward his commitment to duty and community.”
The interior of the Command Sgt. Maj. Henry Lee Gym features a memorial plaque detailing his service, alongside photographs of him in uniform and cherished moments with his family, including his wife and their children.
His wife, Rose, who served the military community for nearly four decades through her alteration shop, conveyed her gratitude, stating, “This gym is a beautiful honor for Henry. He loved serving here, and seeing his life celebrated means the world to our family.”
image source from：https://www.army.mil/article/286222/garrison_hawaii_gym_dedicated_to_late_command_sgt_maj_henry_lee
