Just finished a four week trip to Japan. Devoted some time to "historical and cultural" things, but also visited some of my old stomping grounds while on sea duty and with the 3rd Mar Div and 1st MAW from 1951-59. I did several later tours in Japan, but Japan duty in the '50s was special. Visited some of the places I'd been stationed, including Sugimoto-Cho (site of the old Camp Sakai which was the home of Hq., 9th Marines and 2/9); Kurotori, site of the old Camp Shinodayama (former home of 1/9); Iwakuni, which is still up and running and USMC all the way; and Fleet Activities Yokosuka which "hosted" USS HELENA (CA-75) when I was seagoing. Much has changed since those days, but in many ways much remains the same. It gave me a rather eerie and nostalgic feeling to see places where happy, hard working, hard drinking, and hard charging Marines of the '50s once trooped and stomped. The old barracks and facilities are long gone, but if you close your eyes and use your imagination, you might hear the echo of bugles sounding reveille, liberty call, or taps, depending on the time of day/night! Great memories! I send my best wishes and a "Semper Fi, Mac" to all of the 3rdMarDiv, 1stMAW, Seagoing, and Barracks Marines of the '50s.

Just came across your message. They sure were great times.But I don't want anybody to forget 4.2 mortars. We were in the same building as HDQ 9th. When we were not at Camp Mc Nair Mt. Fuji, firing the mortars.Do you also remember other train stops Minambi/Tanambi.

Yes, 4.2 Mortar Co., AT Co., "Dog Med", and a few others units were attached to 9th Marines at 'Sakai. And many of them cut a rather wide swath through Osaka and vicinity.

Do you remember the "provisional" band that was formed from members of the regiment at Camp Sakai? They played for ceremonies, including morning colors and were under a technical sergeant who acted as drum major. I don't recall his name (maybe Zelko or something like that), only that he more often than not suffered the "after effects" of too much partying the night before. He had to be one of the bravest of all Marines when, roaring hangover and all, he marched (with military precision and dignity) at the head of the band with its pounding drums and blaring brass!

The 9th Marines sergeant major was Master Sergeant Merle Smith, who at the time had 36 years in the Corps (joined in 1918, I believe). He had been a temporary first lieutenant in World War II. A tall, grey haired and distinguished looking Marine of the old school, he put one in mind of a British regimental sergeant major.

Enough sea stories!

Robby

Were you a S/SGT at C. Co. AMTRACS,McGill(Yokosuka) in 1957?

After so many years, its hard to remember all of the train stops. When going from Camp Sakai (Sugimoto-Cho Station) to Tennoji (the end of the line), I remember Minami-Tanabe (which you mentioned) and also Abi-Kocho and Bishoen. Tickets were only 10 yen. Tennoji was the station where you caught other lines to go to other places, including downtown Osaka---Namba, for instance which was a decent entertainment area.

Did you ever have a chance to go to the River Grill? It was a restaurant on a boat on the river with great steaks.

One thing I remember about Osaka was the big Munchen restaurant/beer garden in Shinsai-Bashi. It was popular with both the Marines and the local populace. They had big White Russian doorman who allegedly escaped to Japan after the 1919-22 takeover of Russia by the Communists. He was about 6' 6" tall and had an impressive mustache and beard and a uniform with lotsa "bells and whistles." He never seemed to smile, but gave a dignified greeting to all customers. And the beer mugs held about 20 ounces!

Semper Fi.