14 Facts About Herbert Choy

Herbert Young Cho Choy was the first Asian American to serve as a United States federal judge and the first person of Korean ancestry to be admitted to the bar in the United States.

Herbert Choy served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Herbert Choy received a Juris Doctor in 1941 from Harvard Law School.

Herbert Choy served in the Hawaii Territorial Guard from 1941 to 1942.

Herbert Choy served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946.

In 1946, Herbert Choy served in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

Herbert Choy was in private practice in Honolulu, Hawaii, from 1946 to 1971.

Herbert Choy was the first person of Korean ancestry to be admitted to the practice of law in the United States.

From 1957 to 1958, Herbert Choy served as Attorney General for the Territory of Hawaii.

At the recommendation of Senator Fong, Herbert Choy was nominated by President Richard Nixon on April 7,1971, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit vacated by Judge Stanley Barnes.

Herbert Choy was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 21,1971, and received his commission on April 23,1971.

Herbert Choy was the first Asian American on the federal bench as well as the first Hawaii native.

Herbert Choy's service terminated on March 10,2004, due to his death.

Herbert Choy died in Honolulu on March 10,2004, due to complications from pneumonia.