<p>Chinese pilots eat ice cream cones at an air base in New England, 1942<br /> Location in U.S. unknown<br /> Courtesy of the National Archives at College Park, MD, Still Picture Unit, 208-AA-162-I-3; © CORBIS</p>

Chinese pilots eat ice cream cones at an air base in New England, 1942
Location in U.S. unknown
Courtesy of the National Archives at College Park, MD, Still Picture Unit, 208-AA-162-I-3; © CORBIS

<p>Chinese seamen on shore leave enjoy American food, 1942<br /> New York, New York<br /> Photograph by Edward Gruber<br /> Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-USE6-D-006004</p>

Chinese seamen on shore leave enjoy American food, 1942
New York, New York
Photograph by Edward Gruber
Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-USE6-D-006004

During World War II, Chinese servicemen were stationed throughout the United States. Many of them had been active in China and were brought to U.S. bases to receive advanced military instruction. During leisure time or shore leave, Chinese military and civilian merchant seamen enjoyed touring the local sights, exploring American culture in major U.S. cities, and trying Western foods such as hotdogs and ice cream.

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