Thanks Much! My Dad was stationed on Ie Shima during WWII as an Army engineer and greatly enjoyed reading your blog. He came ashore D-day, plus 3, and also helped build and repair runways. He talked about taking refuge in caves and sitting on kegs of dynamite during air raids and climbing to the top of the volcano to look around. Your story is much appreciated.
I Loved Ie Shima Kim, Jerry,
I was stationed on Ie Shima back in 1980. Back then, the Air Force operated the bomb and gunnery range on the island. Recently, through the miracle of the internet, I was re-acquainted with 2 of my best friends who I was privileged to serve with on the island. We are trying to find fellow alumni, and have a group on Facebook (Ie Shima). I am touched to see Ernie Pyle's grave site is still being maintained, we had the honor of maintaining it while I was there. Thank you so much for such a lovely blog! Oh, BTW, Luigi is the nickname I had while I was stationed there. :)
correction to Story I am an 88 year old man who was with the 1902nd Aviation Engineer Battalion (There was There was 1903rd there),. We landed on Ie Shima from an LST on the 18th of April 1945 while the 77th Infantry division was still fighting, went to the air field and proceeded to repair the air strips so fighter aircraft could land and support the fighting and the battle going on nn the main Island of Okinawa. (it is Gunto, not Honto). I was a scared kid with a bunch of other scared kids, but we sucked it up and went on to rid the island of remaining Japanese fighters and repair the air strips.
The Wild Dueces Dad was an operations officer with the 1902 aviation battallion or also known as the
'Wild Deuces'. I am interested as to which runway strip the 'Wild Deuces' repaired.
His commanding officer was Col. Fonger. There were 3 runway strips and am
uncertain as to which his unit repaired. He served from the initial landings in
April 1945 to the surrender in August. I have a couple of photographs of him
in combat garb. Any info would be helpful.
thanks
Team Spirit 88 Was there for Team Spirit 88. Will never forget all the mud and bitter winds, and will always remember the partying and good times with buddies.
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mud Chuck OOOOHHHHH RRRAAAHHH team Spirit 85 STA plt 1/6 climbed mountains and valley s with ROK marines damn I hate getting hit with those bamboo canes. lol also got to work with counter intell don't look Korean but we had to dress up like rice paddy farmers and gather intell and disseminate BS Damn I miss the Corps .
Ie shima I was stationed on Ie Shima in the Air Force in 1967 for one year. The Air force used the island as a bomb range and a communications site. There were approx. 50 Air force personell stationed there. Ie Shima was a detachment of Kadea Air Force base.
July 2007 - January 2008 I was there as a admin clerk for s-1. i had a blast there. the Sgt in the ROK LIAISON there was the son of a former ROK CMC. Mr. Kim and his son's shop was still there. they improved a lot tho. now there's a multimillion dollar gym with raquet ball courts, a basketball court. 2 floor gym. still with 34 marines and 1 corpsman. it has improved a lot. the Barracks are nice. each room for CPL and below has a washer dryer and u share a room but get your own, make sense? they each had a stove top and huge refridgerator. Sgt's and above even officers stayed in the other barracks which basically is an apt room. it came with washer and dryer, a bedroom, a living room, and a kitchen and dining room table. all by the korean government. Still improving I hear. trips to deague was a blast and to seoul.
team spirit 1983 & 1988 I Loved the MOUNTAIN WARFARE TRAINING in 83 and 88 I remember Major Park with the ROK Marines, He was one Hardcore Mother ----- We all Loved the LIBERTY in Pohang I would love to go back for a short visit, with some of my old Marine Corps Buddy's that is.
Semper Fi !!!!! oooooh rahhhh
MUDD CHUCK Team Spirit 89' Bravo 1/2
Does anyone else remember; fire on the mountain side, spades at the doughnut place, crappy weather, TONS OF MUDD
So Ju, and my favorite meal; bowl of noodles moon pie and coke for an MRE?
Camp "Mud Chuck" Team Spirit 85 I really enjoyed my time at Mujuk for Team Spirit 85. I do remember the deep, sticky mud and the rain. I enjoyed working with the ROK Marines a very disciplined force. I also enjoyed the mountain warfare training with the ROKs and remember one of the humps we went on brought us into a hidden valley. So beautiful OOOOHHHHH RRRAAAHHH
Frightful at first, but a great place to explore. Nothing beats the cold more than a nice warm bowl of raymun noodles from the Noodle Man and his little stand. I hope the winter wasn't too harsh and the summer was great. Ensure you travel NE to Je-Ju Do Island. Even near Pohang, there are great Temples close to the Camp and some great Lakes also. Enjoy.
this is over. yes, since last summer it is forbidden for "gaijin" to enter the tuna market..
i had the luck also to see it before it closed.
nice memories
sylvain
WWII Ie Shima I was with the 1902nd Aviation Engineer Battalion in April 1945 that rebuilt the the airstrips so air operations could operate from there in support of the ongoing battle to take Okinawa. I was on Ie Shima when Ernie Pyle was killed. I went on to a career in the USAF. In 1956 I went to Ie Shima a part of a313th Air Division Inspector General team. I was impressed at the transformation from a battleground to mpdern day communities. Felix Massaia.
My stay @ Ie Shima My first assignment out of tech school 1970-71 was 13 months on a 3x5 island in the south china sea. We knew it as Ie Shima. 1300 native people & 60 GI's.
I have been to the very places you have pictured. It certainly has changed since then. My son just got assigned to Okinawa. There used to be a practice bomb & straf range @ the north end of the island.F4s & F105 headed to vietnam practiced there. It has been great to see your pictures. I made my son promise to go there & send me some pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed yours. On one of Ernie's memorial days there were a lot of brass from all branches of service. A young native boy came out of the bush carrying a live artillery shell. People were running in all directions. I'm sure Ernie must have gotten a chuckle out of that. Take care & be safe. Thks again.
Surprise! I was re-reading this comment for a little smile while at work today, and I decided to Google the Kijimuna for Okinawa Pro Wrestling. Imagine my surprise when I realized that shortly after meeting Kim on an exercise for work, I actually met this famous Kijimuna while watching Japan play in the World Cup at a restaurant in Naha. He was in full costume and wowed us with his amazing skill at darts and a little dancing. Then, just as quickly, he disappeared into the night...
Daniel
non-member comment
Thanks Much!
My Dad was stationed on Ie Shima during WWII as an Army engineer and greatly enjoyed reading your blog. He came ashore D-day, plus 3, and also helped build and repair runways. He talked about taking refuge in caves and sitting on kegs of dynamite during air raids and climbing to the top of the volcano to look around. Your story is much appreciated.