TODAY'S OJI
For those of you who were wondering what Oji Camp looks like today, here it is! These photos were taken on February 18, 2006 by Teri Bryant, www.nambuworld.com, and sent to me on a CD by Noel Garland of Mesquite, Texas. The ONLY structure that still survives is the Headquarters Building, now used as a local cultural center and library. The Officers Club was torn down just a few years ago. The rest of the post is now Chuo Park, according to Wikipedia. Enjoy!
This is the layout of Oji Campu today. The blue at the bottom is the creek that went to the station.
The surviving Headquarters Building, and another view of it — this from the street. The guard shack was on the far left.
This is the rear of the Headquarters Building, which has not changed much.
And here is looking from the Headquarters Building to where the Comm Center was. Not a trace of that is left.
Who can forget the charms of that dingy street that led to the train station? This is what prosperity does to a place. More to come later.
And here is an aerial view of today's Oji, apparently taken in 2005. This was forwarded to me by Glenn Kunkle. You can clearly see the old U-shaped Headquarters Building near the center right. Compare this with the map at the top of this page.
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I went to Camp Oji once (in 1961) in the 2-1/2 years that I was stationed at Hq, ASAPAC at Camp Zama. It was to deliver some reports to Army Corps of Engineers. All that I remember of Camp Oji is driving along a narrow street with the perimeter fence along side of it. We got to drive a 57 Chevy sedan staff car all the way up there and were told to take the whole day! ASA was great duty.
Lee
Posted by: Lee Bibb | August 05, 2007 at 01:52 AM
I was an MP (294th) transfered from Camp Zama to Camp Oji when it opened as a hospital. I believe in 1968. Our barracks were above the camp fire station. We endured many rioters at the front gate and I still have a rioters helmet. You could hear them coming (whistles) from blocks away. The Tokyo riot police were well equiped and the gate was never compromised. Your early photos brought back many memories.
Thank you,
Scott D. Reed
Posted by: Scott D Reed | February 05, 2009 at 05:57 PM
Was at Camp Oji in mid-1965 for two months and then shipped to the Pacific for about a year on a project mapping islands of the area. Then returned in mid-1966 for another two months before being discharged.
I don't remember much about the camp except it was near a Japanese military camp. I also remember the story about it being an arsenal with underground munitions still in place but apparently buried by water.
Maybe someone else was involved in the mapping of the Pacific during this time.
Posted by: Billy E. Maughan | July 30, 2009 at 08:28 AM
I was stationed in Oji Camp from early 1961 to late october 1962 with the 29th engineer Bt ( US Army Map service Far East). The Japanese camp was behind our barricks and they exercised daily as we watched. During my tour I was in Guam, Caroline Islands, Marshall Islands and others doing surveying for maps. I was in electronic repair but traveled with the survey guys. We had two FS class ships (old aircraft tenders) with Phillipino crew. One Phillipino Captain, One American Captain. I would love to hear about Ole Camp Oji Campu.
Posted by: Ralph Hughes | May 31, 2010 at 11:58 PM
Ralph
I was stationed at Camp Oji from March 62 through Aug. 63. I was attached to Headquarters Co. You were probably TDY most
of the time when we overlapped. Don't really
remember the names of most of the guys in the
29th. I do remember Capt Donnel and some of the NCOs from troop command. I am retired now
and live in South east Florida you?. Hope to
hear back from you
Harold
Posted by: Harold Steinholz | September 19, 2010 at 02:10 PM
The Army Map Service was at Cp Oji from 1954 to 1966. I was with the Army Corps of Engineers, Far East District (Rear) which was a tenant unit from late 1958 to late 1965. Our office building was the old three story ASA mess hall.
The former camp was turned into a public park starting in 1971 and the HQ building has become a community center.
I visited the park in late 1979 and again in Oct 2010.
The 2005 aerial photo above is actually a satellite view from Google Earth. The Officers Club is still there in that photo. The O Club was a potting shed and was razed in 2006 and there is a parking lot there now. Google Earth now has a street view of the entrance and the HQ bldg
Posted by: Wesley Goecker | February 05, 2011 at 02:00 PM
TOPO
Ralph, Harold & Wesley. Any of you know Frenchy D'Entremont who went to map Ethiopia in mid 60's? Deceased in CA in 2003.
Harold I've emailed with. Also Dick Short who was there in late 50's
Like Earl S, I was at ASA Oji 1957-58
kunkle34@sbcglobal.net
Posted by: Glenn Kunkle | February 05, 2011 at 08:13 PM
I was in the hospital in aug. 68. Was wounded in Nam and spent six weeks there.
Posted by: Allen Lesteberg | March 12, 2011 at 05:41 PM
Hello all you short timers. I was there 1953-4 and worked in traffic
analysis under Capt. Truax and along side Tony Donadio who I speak with very often.
I wonder if the Lucky Laundry ever found that sock of mine that they lost.
Posted by: Warren Bill Caplain | January 13, 2012 at 02:59 PM