14th USASA Field Station - Japan
Title: Those were the days
Hakata was a great place to be in Asia. So much to see and do off base with a bunch of great guys.
Went sailing from the service club and actually made it far out into the bay and back again. The club also checked out bikes, so a bunch of us rode out to the north beach on Shikanoshima (Deer Island). The Saitozaki ferry was a pleasure to ride into Fukuoka.
My time in the ASA was 59 to May 63. I extended a year. I was 057 with the guys in the little room next to Col Dohlstrom's office(?) -- north side.
Before Hakata, I was in the PI at Clark AFB for all of 6 weeks, which was 4 weeks too long. Six 056 overstaffers at the 9th USASA at Clark were sent to other fields stations, and I went to the Fighting 14th. At Hakata after about 6 months, I OJT'd from 056 to 057 so that I could go on straight days when my wife came over.
Once some hillbilly singer came over and performed at the base theater under the USO program. Everybody went nuts to see him perform. I was staying in the Trick 4 barracks across the street directly north of the theaters, but as I didn't go as I don't like country music. The guy was some character by the name of Johnny Cash. Kinda wish I had gone across the street to see him now.
For those making contact with ASAer's for the first time, there are some ASA Yahoo groups for corresponding, and I'm a member of one. But there are so many youngsters on them now -- at least compared to the time that I was in.