Japan was the first foreign country I had traveled to. I was 19, fascinated by it.
The base I was stationed at, Yamada Camp, only had about 100 American personnel, the local people didn't even seem to know we were there. They seemed to assume I was merchant marine from any of the numerous ships docked in Kokura.
Most of my friends were more into drinking than I was, so their interest were different than mine. My most memorial trips were solo.
I was a confident (dumb) 19 year old.
I can remember the brightly lite ginzas, cabarets, small shops, so many friendly people.
I'm the son of a Marine who fought at Guadalcanal , I never expected to find such friendly people just 20 years after WW2.
The base I was stationed at, Yamada Camp, only had about 100 American personnel, the local people didn't even seem to know we were there. They seemed to assume I was merchant marine from any of the numerous ships docked in Kokura.
Most of my friends were more into drinking than I was, so their interest were different than mine. My most memorial trips were solo.
I was a confident (dumb) 19 year old.
I can remember the brightly lite ginzas, cabarets, small shops, so many friendly people.
I'm the son of a Marine who fought at Guadalcanal , I never expected to find such friendly people just 20 years after WW2.