Peter Mills’ impact on John Lee’s life extended long after their initial meeting in China. As Lee’s family sought to secure educational opportunities abroad for their son, Mills became an invaluable advocate and mentor. Their close relationship is preserved in a series of letters exchanged between Mills and Lee’s father—letters that are now archived in the John Lee and Paul Mills folders. In 1949, Mills leveraged his own Colby connections, drafting passionate recommendations and coordinating with Colby administrators to help facilitate Lee’s admission to Colby College. Mills’ support did not stop at advocacy; he continued his correspondence with the Lee family, providing encouragement and guidance as John Lee transitioned to life in Waterville, Maine. These letters and documents represent powerful primary sources, chronicling the enduring effects of transpacific friendship and Mills’ firm belief in the value of international education.