Our replacement draft organized at Camp Pendleton and sailed from San Diego in October, 1954. After many days at sea aboard the Navy;s APA's we docked at Kobe,Japan. Then transported to Nara,Japan where I became a member of Baker Co. 1stBn 4th Marines. I was a young excited PFC 0311.I remember well my Company Commander, Captain Wentworth who retired from the Corps as Colonel Wentworth. Our quarters were Quanset huts. My Platoon shared our hut with the Machine Gun PLt. I think my most memorable experience within that Hut was at about 0400 one early morning when a booming voice called out,"Out of those racks,feet on the deck and skin em back" Yes, my first "short arm" inspection,. I'm sure many Japan serving Marines will remember this one with a chuckle.
The liberty was the finest of my entire career. The old Nara Park where "Big Buddha" sat and the beautiful park Deer that would eat out of your hand. Train rides to Osaka, The Nara Hotel where Joe Demaggio and Maralyn Monroe spent their Honeymoon. Oh Yes, that Asahi beer was very good, and Miyoko and Kimijon were only two of the very nice Nasons (hope I spelled Nasons correctly) any way you Japan Marines will get the message.
My stay in Japan was a short one since during early lJanuary 1955, the fourth Marine Regt embarked aboard those APA'S, AKA's LST's Etc. and sailed to Oahu,Hawaii where we formed the "FirstMarineBrigade"
Today, as a sixty-nine year old retired Marine, I tend to relive those Marine Corps memories and the Marine Officers and Men with whom I was proud to have served.
Thanks Gunny, for this opportunity to reflect and share those good old days. I look forward to hearing from other Marines who served in Japan.

1stSgt,

Thanks for telling us the story. Keep telling us Marines them to. I pass on all stories to my devil dogs so they know their stories are the same too. No matter when you served, it is all them same.

Old breed,New Breed as long its the Marine Breed!!OOh RAhh!
LtGen Puller

S/F,
Chilly Willie
0341/USMC
81s Gun Up!