Went to Japan in 1953 with the 3d Marines by way of Camp Pendleton (Talega), Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay), and then Japan (landed Yokohama), them by rail to Middle Camp Fuji.

Later (1954) transfered to Camp Gifu (Dic Hqtrs) then TAD to FPO Yokohama (Navy #850).

Back to Fuji (Middle Camp) in Oct'56--3dMarines/9thMarines switched there from Oki-to-Japan(Vice-Versa).

Back to Japan 1964, Iwakuni, and Atsugi.
Dick Gaines

Left Long Beach Ca.from tent city Jan. 56 for the Far East by way of the USS Cavalier
30 days later set foot on Japanese soil Yokohama
Then on buses to Mt.Fuji,North Camp
Cold as hell when we got to camp.Ended up in Fox Co
light 30's
Made two landings on Iwo and one in the Philippines
Luzon Island. Some time later the 3rd Marines went to Okinawa
and the 9th Marines went to Japan.
Stood Boot at Parris Island Platoon 83 1955
Any old salts out there standing tall if so give a *gung ho*
shout!!!!! Any one remember the good times in Gotemba on
Liberty,Yeah who could forget.
Semper Fi Mac!!!!!

Hi Slick:

Looks like we were in the same area at the same time. I was in Hdqtrs. unit of the 9th Marines in 1956-57 as a Cpl. in the Special Services office, located in North Camp Fuji. I helped guys get their GED certificates, passed out tennis balls, got magazine subscriptions. All pogey bait stuff! I also started a skin/SCUBA diving club. I arranged for guys to take bus or truck tours to the tea plantations, Kamakura to see the Big Buddha, that kind of stuff. I also got a Japanese teacher to teach interested guys how to speak Japanese. (I think about a dozen started, but we ended up a couple months later with less than half that number.)

At night I worked at the Craft Shop in North Camp Fuji where I started a Photo Club. Got a Japanese photographer to come in and build a darkroom and bring in women to act as models (clothed, damn it!) for us. My full name is Laurence (Larry) Craig and I was sometimes known as the 'dancing man' because I was always dancing with the girls in the bars in Gotemba; only in the early part of the evening.

Any of this sound familiar to you?

Got any great stories to tell?

If you like, please send me a reply.

Cpl. Craig, USMCR

Larry:

It seems that we are from the same era in
the Corps. I was in Am Tracs most of my tour
1954-1957). Camp Del Mar in 55, then shipped
out on the General Walker in September 55 for
Camp McGill, Japan arriving in Yokohama on
October 3, 1955. Went to Charlie Company
1st Am Tracs at Mcgill. In Late 1956 shipped
back to the states and to Del Mar where I
was discharged on October 24, 1957.

Ivan

I was in 4.2 Mortars in 1955-57. We had a Larry Craig (I believe) in our company at N. Camp Fuji. Was that another person?

Greetings Slick.
Sounds like you and I arrived at North Camp Fuji at the same time. I was a Cpl/Fire Team Leader in 3rd Platoon (Lt. Tom Wheeler) and remember a couple of guys from the Weapons Platoon (Light Machine Guns and 60mm Mortars). I was with Fox Company from Jan.1956 through transfer to Okinawa...back to the States in late summer of '57. Great times were had by all, but I don't think I could survive it again.
Best Wishes to you and your family.

was there March 55, to near June 1,56 "D" Co.
across from machine gun guys and not far from
mess hall. Barracs close to main gate.
Our little village "Tomaho" was quit the place
and had most everything I desired as an 18 yr.
old kid. Did get to Tokyo,Yokahama,Yokuska,and
ofcorse Gotemba at least every other week.

I was at Fox Company during that exact time period. I was in rockets and mortors as a corporal and was also transferred to Okinawa. I missed Camp Fuji and the great liberty. Did you remember George the laundry boy and how the Japenese thought that in order for a person to be a Marine, you had to have killed a direct family member? I don't know how that started but we all knew it. I liked Tomaho{First/Last chance Bar) since it was just outside the gate. Gotemba was fun,but I do not know how the Japenese put up with us. Remember Cottini,Scaggs, Weich, Wector, Gibbons, Bagnell, Thompson, all in Rockets and Mortors and Colwate, Truitt(Blackfoot Indian) in 30 cal machine guns. I will never forget that period.

Jim Toner,Cpl 55/58 Plt 152 PI
Semper Fi

The only people in Machine Guns was Joe Pope and a Cpl that later became an officer. Cant rember his name. Served with him later at Camp Pendleton.

was there (No.Camp) Mar.55 to May 56.
D23 infintry not far from main gate.
couple minuets to Tomaho

dec.1955tojan1956 Weapon co. work in the co. mess hall while at north camp. Gotemba was afine little town

Was at No.camp Fuji Mar.55, to end of May 56. "D" Co,infintry guy. Carried a BAR for about 6 mths.promoted to Cpl. glad to get rid of that 30 lb. piece of iron.
Gotemba liberty was nice. The old bus ride
back up the hill was an expereance.Plenty time to sober up and ready to start all over again. Tomaho our little village was
a lot of fun also. The little vegatable
stand as you enter the village,hot bowl of
osoba (soup)at small resturant on left
side of street. Hair cuts in town for 60
or 80 yen (ex. was 360 to one).combat jug
of wine or saki cost 200 or 300 yen.
liter of beer 100 yen and with sexy service to boot.
Oh well, memories
simper fi, vic

As a 19year old jarhead I spent 14mo. at N. camp Fuji. The duty was tough but the camaraderie was outstanding. I am no longer in touch with any of the men that I serviced with but I would like to hear from any of them. Waldo, Kelly, Jelinec, Jones, Fleming, Boggs, Wheatley, Bedarchek, Land, Morgan, or anyone who was in 4.2 mortars at that time.
Capt. Bench, Capt. Glassgow, Lt. Stanley, Cpl. Gerold Medina or was it Pfc.?
SSgt. Leonard, T. Sgt. Fier(?), Cpl. Miller. Let me know how things are with you.
I remember a great deal about Gotemba, but specifics elude me. If anyone knows the names of the bars that we frequented (I will read other posts after I am finished going on). We hiked to Lake Yamanaka in a blizzard one night. We spent a great weekend at the Fuji New Grand in 1956. Does that place still exist?
My wife and I plan a trip to Gotemba, North Camp Fuji, etc. this summer (2005). Any tips or places not to miss will be greatly appreciated.

Let me know , I just left Camp Fuji (formerly North Camp). The base you was at is now a japanese Garrison across the street.

let me know I will help you get there and update you on any travel or anything.

S/F,
Chill Will

You said your coming to Camp Fuji this summer (2005). Check out the Camp Fuji websites (www.fuji.usmc.mil and www,mccsfuji.com) for some good info (the second site has a lot more info).
I work at Camp Fuji right now so if you need some info or want to check out the base let me know.

S/F
Rick

Thanks for the web sites, your response, and your offer of more info. We are still in the planning stages for a possible trip this summer (05). If and when we ever finalize our plans I will let you know and hope that your offer still stands. JAJ

I had indicated in an earlier message that we (my wife and myself) were planning a return trip to Japan with a particular interest in visiting North Camp Fuji. Our plans are now finalized and we plan to be in that area, approximately, July 4th. If you can give me any information as to how to access the base, lodging in the Gotemba area, transportation, etc. it would be greatly appreciated. We have rail passes and I have done some planning with reservations but thought that I would wait until we arrived in Kyoto before making hotel reservations in the Mt. Fuji area. One question that my wife has is regarding laundry facilities/possibilities. Are public launderies very common in Japan? This is critical for planning luggage --my old sea bag (circa 1957 just doesn't cut it anymore --and as I recall never did). Any info that you can pass on would be greatly appreciated. Semper Fi --J.A. Johnson

I had indicated in an earlier message that we (my wife and myself) were planning a return trip to Japan with a particular interest in visiting North Camp Fuji. Our plans are now finalized and we plan to be in that area, approximately, July 4th. If you can give me any information as to how to access the base, lodging in the Gotemba area, transportation, etc. it would be greatly appreciated. We have rail passes and I have done some planning with reservations but thought that I would wait until we arrived in Kyoto before making hotel reservations in the Mt. Fuji area. One question that my wife has is regarding laundry facilities/possibilities. Are public launderies very common in Japan? This is critical for planning luggage --my old sea bag (circa 1957 just doesn't cut it anymore --and as I recall never did). Any info that you can pass on would be greatly appreciated. Semper Fi --J.A. Johnson

I had indicated in an earlier message that we (my wife and myself) were planning a return trip to Japan with a particular interest in visiting North Camp Fuji. Our plans are now finalized and we plan to be in that area, approximately, July 4th. If you can give me any information as to how to access the base, lodging in the Gotemba area, transportation, etc. it would be greatly appreciated. We have rail passes and I have done some planning with reservations but thought that I would wait until we arrived in Kyoto before making hotel reservations in the Mt. Fuji area. One question that my wife has is regarding laundry facilities/possibilities. Are public launderies very common in Japan? This is critical for planning luggage --my old sea bag (circa 1957 just doesn't cut it anymore --and as I recall never did). Any info that you can pass on would be greatly appreciated. Semper Fi --J.A. Johnson

Rick is a good point of contact at Fuji and former Marine. Rick welcome to our spot.

S/F,
CEYA!
81s..gun up!

Gotemba had some good times there. Was with Fox Co 4th plt. Left there Dec 1955.

I'm looking for a Lowell F. Orth pfc Was japan in 1954 with my father.