Major Lee was a veteran of World War II, serving with distinction at Guadalcanal. In Korea, he was the Operations Officer of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. On 29 March 1953, he was commanding the companies that had retaken "Outpost Vegas." His command post received a direct hit from an enemy 120 MM mortar, killing him.

For his leadership and valor, Major Lee was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart with gold star, the Combat Service Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.