Dr. Feng Shan Ho: Unknown Hero

Dr. Feng Shan Ho

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  It celebrates the culture, history, and traditions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.  This month, CBD College is celebrating notable icons from the Healthcare and Science community.

Born: 1901

Died: 1997

Origin: China

“Dr. Feng Shan Ho single-handedly saved thousands of Austrian Jews during the Holocaust. When Dr. Ho arrived in Vienna in 1937 as a Chinese diplomat, Austria had the third-largest Jewish community in Europe. Just one year later, however, the Nazis took over Austria and began persecuting Jews. Against all odds, many would survive thanks to Dr. Ho. As Chinese General Consul in Vienna, he went against his boss’ orders and began issuing Jews visas to Shanghai, China. These lifesaving documents allowed thousands of Jews to leave Austria and escape death. After 40 years of diplomatic service that included ambassadorships to Egypt, Mexico, Bolivia, and Colombia, Dr. Ho retired to San Francisco, California. At age 89, he published his memoirs, “Forty Years of My Diplomatic Life.” Dr. Ho died in 1997, an unknown hero of World War II.”