[Crai Archi Fr Ruby Library Depot Ruby
Christel Malden
THIS COMMENTS SECTION IS NOT INTENDED TO HELP YOU MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON OKINAWA.
It is not set up to be used as social media, if you want your best chance to make connections with others please use the Facebook Okinawa related group below, it has over 7000 members and thousands of photos. There are many other Okinawa related groups on Facebook, including Kadena and Naha Air Base groups.
Yeah... I lived in Okinawa
If you leave a comment it may take a couple of days for it to appear on the comments page as I receive an email of each comment that I must approve before it appears on the comment page, this prevents the comments section from being filled up with SPAM. Sorry for the inconvenience. This page is not a blog or forum, I generally do not respond directly to the comments although I may send you an email response. If you have a specific question or information you would like to send me then contact me at my email address do...@rememberingokinawa.com Be sure and check your spam filter as my email responses could end up being filtered out. Thanks for looking at my site.
I was at Camp Hanson for a yr. In 1971,was in H&S company and would pick up flights at Kadena airport and officer at Naha airport.work day on day off. We would go to Monza beach and swim in the China sea and drink a lot of beer and eat.I serve with my Gunnery Sergeant Al Nagy,who was my recruiter,great Marine and great friend.I was there when we gave it back to Japan,they sent Japanese Police over first.I love to go to chow hall at Kadena,and would see the blackbird spy plane land.It was wild out in the vill back then.
I was stationed at Kadena in 1969, TDY from Pease AFB. I was 19 and came from Boston. My favorite bar was the Golden Palace on Gate 2 Street. I was there more than frequently and made friends with just about everyone that worked there. I fell in love with a bar hostess named Chico. I continue to think of her often with love and the hope that her life went very well. It's kind of an ongoing desperate heart ache I frequently feel ...not knowing how her life went or if she is still alive. I'm 76 now and she would be 75. Anyway, I still love and think of her and those days more than I would like to. I desperately would LOVE to know how Chico's is and/or how her life went. Pretty sad just writing this and reminiscing about those days.
My best to all those who share similar sentiments, and especially to Chico who will always remain in my heart. Joe
Stationed in Okinawa all of 1973 to mid-May of 1974. Worked in the Comm Center which I believe was in Sukiran but I may be wrong. Played a lot of softball and some football. Met a lot of good people. When we would go out it was almost always the Moonlight Club on BC street. Still stay in contact with one of my buddies from there.
I'm now 89 years old but was 18 when stationed on Okino. Bottom line, I have outlived most people I knew. When I was there we lived in tents and our mail was air dropped due to no airstrip then.Concrete barracks were being built but were not available then. I had a good buddy named Jim Norvell I shared a tent with at the time and I owe him a huge apology because I was not very nice to him when last we met( Long story, but all my fault)
I was a radio operator and we had a small shack sitting on top of one of the buildings and it was our job to be part of a triagulation group to pin point any aircraft that crashed into the Ocean. I was there for at least one typhoon that took the roof off the shack I was guarding at the time. We had it made because our officers didn't care if we saluted and we had the run of the kitchen at all hours, and also had "Nasan's" to do our laundry. We were once invited by the local High School to compete with the students in their competitions and I won the broad jump but they skunked in long runs. Too much food.No exercise. I saw pictures taken since 1965 and WOW huge difference.
I was in The Navy stationed at Naha Naval Air Station in 1965 - 1966. Took my test for Navy Diving. Left their to Japan for further training. Then on to Washington Dc Navy Yard to complete my 2nd Class Hard Hat Diving School.
Graduated then went to Chu-Lai Vietnam for two tours 1967 and 1968. Honorably Discharged in 1968.
Frank DeCola, my father was stationed there from 1973-1976 doing the same job; He was NCOIC at White Beach and Naha. I used to occasionally go with him and we had to stay the night at the tank facility (he would ride me around the tanks on his Kawasaki motorcycle.....oh the memories).
I stationed at Fort Buckner from 1968 1970 and my duties was Petrolium inspector working on tank farm and pumping station.It was in a bay area that was receiving cargo Tankers and onload Jet fuel through underwater pipe line.I can't remember the name of that area.If anyone remember please post it thank you.
I was a dependent attending Adams Elementary School from the latter part of 1963 through the latter part of 1966. I can remember my 4th grade school teacher was Mrs. Kusamato. I can't remember the 3rd, 5th & 6th grade teachers. When I turned 10 I came alive! That is when I received my I.D. card and was able to ride my bicycle to Naha AFB from Oroku Housing area all by myself. That opened up roller skating, the Saturday matinee, the swimming pool, some hobby shops, etc. The neighborhood boys loved to dig around in the dirt for WWII artifacts, until our father's got in trouble when EOD had to come out and cement in a hole that went into a Japanese-made tunnel. And another time when a kid brought a Japanese hand grenade to school for show-and-tell followed by a visit from EOD! It was a great place for a young boy to grow up... So many memories have been re-kindled looking at the pictures on this site, THANK YOU for hosting it and keeping it around for future generations.
My family was stationed at Naha AFB from 1958-1962 as my father, USAF MSgt Lowery, was the 1Sgt of the Checker Tail Squadron at that time. I was 5yrs in 1958. We lived at 7 Lincoln Court on Naha. Of course, that neighborhood is gone now, but the water tower near the east side of the base remains today. I transited through Kadena on my way to SVN in 1972 and remember the salty and humid air from my child-hood. My younger brother now works on Okinawa as the Director of Force Protection and Security for the Army at Torii Station. Interesting how things happen that way. I retired after 35yrs in the AF and now live near Napa, Ca.
Took X-Rays at Camp Kue Hospital. Duty there from 1970 to 1972.
Many patients from the war at that time.
Best hospital in the western Pacific.
To all who served on Okinawa hope you are all safe and well.
Left in 1972 an Sp5 a rank that no longer exists
My rank.my duty station and permanent party no longer exist, sad
I was on Okinawa 67-end of 69, formative years, dad stationed in Naha, going back next month for whatever reason, nothing ever remains the same except the memories we had/have. Surfed swam and rode the bus all over the island. What a place to be as a young boy turning into a teen, Fitzwoody Beach---- we can never go back but we can return.......
I was stationed in Okinawa at kadena Air Base this I was assigned to the 603 Massq working in the maintenance as a admin clerk I really enjoyed my time there and I've always remembered watching the SR-71 fly every day seeing how my office was on the flight line.
To Michael Edwards, I was on duty at the Kadena Air Terminal the night the B-52 crashed, sounded like we were being attacked. My wife only saw the mushroom cloud, didn't know what happened until a neighbor said I was alright. Lots more stories
I was born in Kadena Air Base in 2003. My father was stationed there from 2003 (my mother was actually heavily pregnant with me during the move there) until 2007. I have few memories of the place, because I was so young, but it undoubtedly had a major impact on my interests and character now as a young adult. I've studied Japanese since middle school and I'm going to be majoring in Japanese Studies in University soon.
I found this website while attempting to reverse-google search our housekeeper from that time, Fujiko. She would be in her eighties by now. I don't remember her very well, but there are pictures and videos of her, and my family has told me many stories about her over the years. When I was a baby, she would bring over traditional Japanese food (in particular, Fried Tofu) and I loved it. She was so excited, because my older sisters hated Japanese food. Fried Tofu is still one of my favorite Japanese foods to this day. She became a part of our family. She attended the ceremony for my dad's change of command, and my graduation from East West Montessori. She was a wonderful woman, and considering how long Okinawans tend to live (her own mother turned 100 while we live there) I can only hope she's still alive today.
Went to Clark AFB right out of Tech School in 1970. Then was transferred to Kadena in 1970 - 1971. Worked in 18th Field Maintenance Squadron / R & R Shop. Saw my first CA-1 come in on an emergency landing. AWESOME! Reaching out to anyone that worked in the shop during this time. Also, it was during the KOZA Riots. Left Kadena and went to Laughlin AFB Del Rio Tx.
Would like to hear from anyone who knows the reason Camp Hauge was closed. My first tour was at Camp Hauge from 9/1972 until 9/1973 attached to HQ Btry, 12th Marines. Would like to hear from Marines of that era at Camp Hauge. Have wonderful memories. Does anyone have any knowledge if agent orange was buried at the Camp? Semper Fi.
Our family resided on Okinawa from Nov. 1965 to June 1970. We moved onto Kadena sometime in 1966. My parents have a ton pf pictures from those days. When I am down to visit them. I'll see if I can get a few to scan and send to you.
Lived on Okinawa late 1960 to early 1964 Naha NAF just across the HWY from P2V hangers on the hill overlooking the base. My dad ran the motor pool, USN. The best years of my life and I have missed ever since. Going to the movie theater on sat., the NCO club with my mom and dad, White Beach, and our drives around the island so much more. Although born in California and having lived many places, Okinawa will always be my home.
Thank you for this wonderful site.