A NEW MAP OF NORTH CAMP DRAKE:
This map was made by scanning an old 1958 Engineers TOPO map of the entire area that Glenn Kunkle found online and sent me. I layered the new drawing on top of it using CorelDraw, then deleted the base and converted the image to a JPEG. The base map did not show the boundaries of the post, so I took a guess at that, and it was not very clear about buildings, so I only included ones that I have photos of. If you know of any corrections or additions that should be made, please let me know in the comments section below.
None of this exists anymore. A recent search on Google Earth by Glenn yielded an aerial photo in fairly high resolution that showed only the footprint of the "Little Pentagon" building, apparently under demolition at the time the survey was made. There was not even a trace of the other buildings.
Do you remember those chrome metal nametags we had at JCRC? Here's mine, all scratched up and a little worse for wear after these nearly 50 years. I'm finding all kinds of this stuff in old boxes, will post what's interesting here.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS OF LIFE AT JCRC-J
Interested in photography? Check out my "Assisting Avedon" blog.
SO, just what Little Adventure am I up to now in 2013? Why, just the most challenging one of them all! CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT.
stationed at north dake 1954 until 1956 with a unit called far east signal command i have tried to find whare they went to
Posted by: robert j hammock | October 03, 2007 at 07:15 PM
stationed there 1954 1956 with fec sigal batt.help move from diachi bldgig to north camp drake
Posted by: robert j hammock | October 04, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Stationed at North Drake Feb 1966 through Nov 1968. The unit name then was ASA-PCRSJ (Pacific Communications Relay Station Japan). I don't think "Units" ever left, they just changed the name.
Your map looks good (correct). We were up-stairs in the west wing and the billets was the same. Opposite the billets was 500 MI Unit.
My father-in-law was stationed at "Asaka Camp" when Grant Heights golf course belonged to the Emperor (1944+/-).
Posted by: Dale Hill | December 20, 2007 at 07:50 PM
I was searching for an old link I had for Camp Drake. (My computer crashed) Found your site. I was at North Camp Drake from late 1959 through May 1961. ASA. I remember well the times at the NCO club, bowling and Papa San downstairs, that polished our shoes. Looking back, he was probably one of the wealthiest individuals around Asaka. I too have some pictures and if I can locate them, I'll send them along.
Oh.. I still remember the Strip out front along with the the B1 Bar, The Corner Bar and Yoshiko..
Bill Winchell
Posted by: | January 05, 2008 at 06:26 PM
i was stationed as an mp at cp. zama 1-'73 til 6-'73, then cp. drake 6-'73 til 11-'73, then back to zama until 7-'74.
we did security for no., so. drake, g.h., sanno hotel, a few other housing areas i dont remember now. i actually miss being there.
Posted by: jay knickerbocker | January 20, 2008 at 11:43 PM
Re: Robert J. Hammock's posting( 10/04/07 )
I was at Camp Drake during 1967-68 attached
to the 294th mp det.One of our guys, Fred
Herring was friends with a couple of asa guys; don't remember names. Could Robert
Hammock email me or whatever?
Posted by: Bill Bollinger | February 26, 2008 at 06:32 PM
I was at Camp Drake in 1967 and 1968 and was in the ASA unit. I played softball for the ASA team there on the base. If u have any info on how i can find a list of people in my unit that were there please pass that along to me. I am looking for a person who may have married my girlfriend from there. Thanks and will be waiting for a reply from u. Greg
Posted by: GRegory Grude | April 08, 2008 at 03:40 PM
I was stationed there 1970-1972 in the 1967 Communications Squadron. Wow, what memories. I had such a great time and got to be a member of one hell of a group of men and women!!
Posted by: Danny Davis | May 07, 2008 at 12:15 AM
This is a first for me, using email to send information.
I have a copy of the handout frunished me upon my arrivalin July 1952. A brief description and map of the camp.
I later spent 12 months at Drake when our company was transferred there from Tokyo
Posted by: | May 26, 2008 at 05:24 PM
i love this site.
Posted by: Ron | August 04, 2008 at 11:46 PM
Was with 500th MI from 59-92. This site brings back a lot of memories from Drake and Asaka/Strip. We had a intense dislike for the Agency guys (just unit rivalry). We were the spooks.
Posted by: Art Norton | November 23, 2008 at 08:53 PM
I was stationed at north cmp drake from '69 - '73 with the 1967 Comm Sq. Rembember many Viet Nam casualties being treated there. Lived with my wife in the housing area ".. Heights".. My daughter was born in Tachikawa AB.. Wow it seems like a million years ago..
Posted by: Robert Porras | November 28, 2008 at 02:26 PM
I was stationed at Camp Drake with the 1967
Comm. from Feb.1966 to Sept 1968. Worked with
a great group of people. Their names were
Terry Spurlock,Eugene Saari,John Grivetti,
Michael Keller,Scholl,Big Man,Sholz and many
more. I do remember the corner bar,I was
very young then. The ku (Shinjuku),Harajuku,
Ikebukuru,Grant Heights,alot of fun,I hope
to hear from some of my old pals..Ja mata...
Posted by: BIll Alarcon | December 03, 2008 at 11:25 PM
I was shocked when I did a GOOGLE for John Grivetti today..my name was listed right beside his .. from a post on this page by Robert Porras just above !! Email me at
lex.talionis007@gmail.com please. Great to find and see this website. Thanks all. MK
Posted by: Michael Keller | March 26, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Someone told me I needed to look at this site, and that I was mentioned. Wow, great to see Bill Alarcon's name along with Gene Saari. I think everyone remembers the Corner Bar, it was an institution. The 67th Comm Squadron was a one of a kind operation, and a ton of fun. But, as Bill mentioned, we were very young then, and I'm probably looking at it through the eyes of time.
Posted by: Terry Spurlock | May 11, 2009 at 01:34 AM
Great web site. The pictures and the thoughts of others bring back a lot memories (249th GH Oct 66 - Jan 68). By chance I met a guy last week that had played golf at South Camp Drake as I had. He asked if I remembered the layout of the back 9 because he could not and I could describe 10-13 and 16-18 but could not pull up 14 & 15 (some gaps in the memory bank). When I returned home I found an old score card but it did not help on the layout. Does anyone know where I can find diagram of the course?
Posted by: Don Forkum | May 29, 2009 at 02:43 PM
i was an army medic with the 249th GH from oct 66 ot aug 68; many happy memories; we never left the south gate, it was everything your mom warned you about; anybody remember the old toothless woman who used to proposition any soldier, night or day. cant believe what happened to the base, we returned last may, nothing but a jungle and a rusted old yield sign
Posted by: david brew | June 02, 2009 at 02:04 AM
I was at Camp Drake with the 8235th Signal Corps Company D June '56 to June '57 looking for CK Carrier or CK Mic-de rib looking for any info about Mac from Torrence Ca. or CAP from Brooklyn, NY....thanks, Bob
Posted by: Robert Bailey | March 27, 2010 at 12:22 AM
I was at North Drake from Dec 70 to Feb 72 with ASA. 32F crypto mech in the ASA comm center. Spent way too much time at the Corner Bar. Climbed Fuji after knee surgery at Tachikawa; the 249th GH was closed by then. My brother Lloyd was also stationed with ASA at Drake. Would like to hear from John Brzozowski/Roy Hawkins or any of the Criticom guys there.
Posted by: Don Burchette | May 10, 2010 at 02:59 PM
Great site! Enjoy it very much. I was stationed at Drake fm July 65 - Jan 69 with ASA. Yes, those were the good times. Just came back fm Japan with my wife who is Japanese. Married her and was dismissed fm ASA. Still keep in touch with David Ames and Bascom Horn. Living in Smyrna, tn.
Posted by: frank j. virginiak | July 18, 2010 at 05:21 PM
Hi Frank Virginiak:
I lost touch with you over the years. I don't know if you remember but we were stationed together from 1965 to 1969 in Japan. I would like us to get in touch with each other to catch up on all the lost time.
Posted by: Herb Martin | July 19, 2010 at 10:03 AM
I sure do remember you Herb. Kazuko and I live in Smyrna, Tn. 615 355 6853. We are retired and just enjoying life. I tried finding u many times to no avail. Where are u? I also found Ricard Harsen on this site. He lives a few miles from me and we are going to hook up for lunch one day soon. I also keep in touch with Dave Ames (Lives up in Main), and Bascom Horn in Kentucky, and Leon Starkes in Kentucky. Send me ur phone # and i will call you. Good to connect with u>
Posted by: Frank Virginiak | July 20, 2010 at 02:49 PM
Enjoying this site. There anyone else out there that was with ASA in the Little Pentagon.
Posted by: Frank Virginiak | July 20, 2010 at 02:58 PM
I was a sgt E-5 stationed at Cp Drake with the MP Detachment fron Jan 52 to Feb 1953. We wore the FECOM patch and were at the Headquarters in the South Camp. It was an R&R unit for the combatants in Korea. I have been looking for anyone who would remember thos days. My Name is charles E Learn and live at 69 Deuro Drive Niagara Falls NY 14304. Also wa aat Cp Gordon, Ga from 50 to Dec 52 with the MPRTC unit.
Posted by: Charles E Learn | December 31, 2010 at 06:15 PM
My Dad MSgt. Michael Kline was at 249th 12/65 to 12/69. I was a dependant and attended South Camp Drake Jr. High. Lived in Grant Heights 6/66 to 6/68. Additionally born Tokyo General 1/1955 and lived in Grant Heights 1/1955 - 6/1955. Returned to West Point MC in NY. My Dad is still going strong @ 86YO. Remember: CO Col. Phoenhaur, 1st Sgt Benson, SFC Bernard (mess Hall), SFC Rudai, and "Soul Bros."
Posted by: Jim Kline | March 13, 2011 at 12:55 AM