USASA Worldwide Direction Finding Net

Served at Hakata from December 1967 to March 1972, when the base was closed. By far the best ASA tour I had - and that included many field stations over the next 20 years. I last visited Hakata in May 1983 when we flew up from Torii Station, Okinawa to visit inlaws. The desolate base was still largly intact but was fenced off at both gates. I could see paint peeling off the buildings and vegetation growing everywhere as it had not been trimmed in many years. The antenna field was gone and the golf course had reverted to something of a grassy - plant area. I could just see the Ops building and it too was overgrown with weeds,a bit sad. Saito had modernized a great deal, everything was paved and most all of the old shacks and bars were long gone, although a few like the Shamrock were still there but is now a dry cleaning establishment. Another bar, forgot name, is now a preschool. I, too, remember SFC Dick Justice, who I heard several years ago had passed, 1SG 'Tiny' Wadsworth, also gone. SSG Bob Wallace died in the early 1990s, the CSMG of the base (forgot name) passed in the late 1990s. SP4 Lee Munson from 1969, who, as I recall I sold a 1964 Honda sports car for a $100.00. Moe 'The Deacon' Earhardt who was a wild dude. He PCSed to Thailand in 1970 and lived there for many years. Steve Polsnick. Who else? Bob Keys, 05H, married a gal from Taiwan. Norm Blowers, Terry Oshima, whom I'm still in contact with. Still trying to find Dennis Schultz, 05D, who left in 1970. I knew him in Vietnam. Those memories and friendships of many years ago have dimmed somewhat with advancing years, I'm in the twilight of my life now, just turned 70,and long retired and spend our winters in Mesa, Arizona and summers in Lakewood, Washington. Many times I still dream of my time in Hakata and Fukuoka as some of the best in my life.