Florence Bacong Choe was born on 26 November 1973 at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego. She earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology from the University of Southern California at San Diego and a Masters of Public Health from San Diego State University.

She received a direct commission on 1 February 2002 and was assigned to Officer Training Command in Newport, RI. She then served with the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda MD, and Third Medical Battalion Third Marine Logistics Group in Okinawa, Japan. She was attached to the National Naval Medical Center San Diego First Service Support Group Detachment.

Lieutenant Choe’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

She is survived by her husband, Lieutenant Commander Chong Choe, and her daughter, Kristin Choe.

Bacong-Choe, Florence, LT