"OJI CAMPU" Page 2

More photos and stories are coming in from fellow ASAers once stationed at ASAPAC in Tokyo in the late 1950s. Here are some:

The above view of "Oji Campu's" front gate was sent by Glenn Kunkle.

Looking away from the front gate. Click here to see what it looks like today.

 

Noel Garland sent information he received from John Milmore, author of #1 Code Break Boy - Communications Intelligence in the Korean War. This book provides insights into the history of the post, from which the following is derived:

What we and the locals called "Oji Campu" was officially known as the First Tokyo Arsenal by the Imperial Japanese Army as far back as the 1880s. Its Headquarters Building was erected in 1930 for the Japanese Ordnance Corps and survived the heavy bombings of World War II. During the Occupation, in 1947, a section was taken over by ASA and the "Technical Intelligence Detachment," but the name First Tokyo Arsenal was kept for security reasons so as not to advertise the secretive ASA. In fact, ASAPAC's athletic teams competed under the name "Arsenal."

During the Korean War, a sign bearing the name HQ ASAPAC was put on the building, and a third flagpole was added to fly the UN flag, under whose auspices that conflict was fought. This was removed after the fighting stopped.

As the name Arsenal fell into disuse, the locals began calling the place "Oji Campu" after the neighborhood it was located in. HQ ASAPAC made no sense to them. Soldiers stationed there soon picked up on the new name, and it stuck. Apparently, an historical marker at the corner of Hongo and Meiji Dori streets still bears the Oji Campu name.

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Some more photos:

View of a distant Mount Fuji seen across the adjacent Topo installation, sent by Glenn Kunkle.

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Comments

[Lee Bibb]

The Fuji patch is still used for US Army Japan. I had to turn in all of mine just months before I left Japan in 1963 because we started using the ASA patch. In 1972 a Japanese friend who worked at Camp Zama got a Fuji patch for me from the tailor. I bought another at a swap meet about 10 years ago, and in 2003 when our little group returned to Camp Zama for a reunion we went to the Army Store and bought 2 more! I've put one on a cap and I wear it around sometimes to see if anyone recognizes it (obviously someone who I'd want to talk to.

Lee

[John R. Jackson]

I was at HQ ASAPAC from 4/52 until 3/53 when I went to Korea.
Colonel Greiner commanded the post at that time. I worked for Captain Parker and then Captain Truex, alongside Fred Hetzel, Jim Pivoney, David Pieper, Chuck Murray, Tom Hackney, and many others. The Cellar Club in downtown Tokyo was a good place to drink beer and listen to jazz.

[Robert Schmidt]

Was Stationed there in June,1968 to March 1969, We Called It United States Army Hospital, Camp Oji. We had converted from 7th Field Hospital, at Johnson AirForce Base. Do you get any Replies from others? I worked at the HQ before rotating out. The place really has changed. thanks for your time. R

[Bill Slemmer]

Will the writer of the last posting who was at Oji from 6-68 until 3-69 please email me at theoldiesexpert@juno.com
I was there at the same time.
Bill Slemmer

[Michael Dunn]

Great site!
Brings back a lot of good memories. I was stationed at Oji in 1957-58 before the HQ moved to the pineapple patch in HI. As a 9630 I did all the day/swing/mid shifts with the KAGs. I'll try to dig up some photos and send them to you.
Lt. Bernard Michael Dunn, ASAPAC

[Connie C. Holt, Jr.]

Have checked out your sites several times and enjoyed your "adventures" and travels.

Thought I would leave this note after seeing my former OIC's note. (722.10, 8/55-12/57)

Lt. Dunn if you read this, email me at chawak@comcast.net. Would like to hear from you.

[Tony Donadio]

I WAS STATIONED AT OJI 1952-1954 MASTER AT ARMS IN EM CLUB BILL HOLMES WAS MANAGER. CHARLIE CURTIS MIKE THEVENY ROGER PEDERSON BILL CAPLAIN DAVE PIPER OSCAR KOCH WRITE TO ME. Tony donadio toni_donadio@verizon.net

[Jiro Fay]

My Father worked for the US Army Map Service at Camp Oji from 1950 t0 1966 when Map Service was moved to Fort Shafter, Hawaii. My sister and me were both born at the Army Hospital, and in Fact that's where my parents first met my dad waking up from surgery to an angelic face of a cute Japanese nurse who would become my mother. They both passed away in 2007 and your website brought back some pleasant memories. Thank you.
Regards, Mr. Jiro Fay

[Gene Ingram]

Oji Camp was my home base from Jan. 65 to Mar. 66, I was TDY to the South West Pacific for a year, from Jan. 65 to Jan. 66. It was Army Map Service, Far East, 29th Eng. Bat.. It was a bunch of map makers doing "Top Secret" work in the Pacific. The C.O. was a Japanese -American, Capt. Sugino, When I returned from the Pacific, someone had a "Mad Magazine" with stickers and pasted them every where, on the Jute box in the NCO Club, this machine owned by the Mafia, on the restroom stall, ocupation by more than one person is immoral, unhealthy and utterly discussting, and the topper, on the "First Shirt's" office door; 'Guess who got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.'
The "First Shirt" went on a raid while we were working, looking for the guilty one. If he found something wrong in your area he would turn everything upside down, in my room there was a sink and a "secret compartment", now this building was the original "First Tokyo Arsenal" that Dolittle bombed, the building was 3 stories, he knocked the top floor off, my room was a corner room on the second floor. I hid my vodka and O.J. under the sink, yes that's right, he found it. He stripped my bunk, turned it upside down, took every thing out of my wall locker threw it on the pile and I had a "Big Box of Tide", he emptied it on the pile. We were on morning break in the NCO Club, and my buger and fries had just arrived went a clerk said "The First Shirt" wanted to see me, "NOW". To make a long story a little shorter the Capt. gave me 14 days extra duty, and 15 days restriction to post. Two weeks after I finished my punishment I received my "Good Conduct Metal". Some of the men I was with were: Frank Atkin, Mike Lewellyn, and Ed Garvy.
When they sent me, Mike and Frank on TDY to Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands, they gave us $750.00 advance perdiem and flew us to Hawaii, a two day lay over, and a good looking Canadian girl, we hit every night club we could find. The 'Shell Bar" where Hawaiian Eye was filmed was one of our stops, Arthur Lyman was playing that night. At Duke Kahonamoku's Club, Don Ho was playing, we saw more hula dancers than I could count, we never went to Hickum Field until our plane was about to leave; when I got on the plane I was short $745.00. It was a good thing they fed us on Wetok. I spent 4 months there, no women on Wetok, then 3 weeks on a LST going from island to island.
Then 5 months on Nikanau, in the Gilbert Islands, women, then on to Samoma for a couple of months; home for Christmas in Ohio. I about froze to death, going from 105 degrees to - 10 degrees. Then I returned to Oji Camp until early out in Mar.66.
geneingram1942@gmail.com

[Douglas F. Turner]

I was staioned at OJI Camp in 1960-1961 I remember Jujo, Ikebukero riding the train for 10 yen, back then the Yen was 360 to the US Dollar. Made some of the best memories of my life and had friends that were closer than a brother. Sturgess, Bullion, Makus, Parsons, Gonzales, Scoble, Bailey, Buffington, Andreason, Malder just to name a few. The C.O. at that time was Capt. Donaldson ( Not sure of spelling) Sgt. Noone was there also. I was assigned to the 29th Engrg. Bat. Army Map Service. Sgt. Saroka was in charge. If anyone wants to e-mail me please feel free to do so.
dturner@hy-techinc.com

[Harold Steinholz]

I was stationed at Camp Oji USAMSFE from April 62 through August 63. I was assigned to
Headquarters Co. I worked under Sgt William
Gerlach, Sgt Delsdernier. Capt Donnal was there ,so was Sgt Noonan. I had many friends
in the 34th Co. I worked with a John Vogel, Max Davison, Bill davis, Robert Zelonis,Dan
Schieno and a lot of names I don't remember,
but I have a photograph taken in late 62 of
Headquarters Co. I lived on post on the 3rd
fl near the training room. I would love to
hear from anyone who was there when I was orjust swap stories of a great experience at
Oji

[Harold Steinholz]

I just realized I left out my screen name it is oldest40@aol.com

[David Moore]

The 29th was established in about 1916 and was in WWI, map repro also performed flash and sound ranging (to locate enemy artillery). That became an arty function later. It was in Niceragwa (sp) mapping a route for another canal. It spent WW2, and after, in the the PI, the Pacific and the Far East until its demise in Hawaii in about 2006. Many career topo folks spent much of their career in the 29th. All other topo units have their roots in the 29th. I was in the 29th Svy Co from 60 to 63. Jim Harnden and I started the T-4 astronimy program. There was also a luner occultation unit with the 29th. My recollection is that the 34th Photomapping Co and the 95 Repro Co were also assigned, along with terrain analysis. I left just as the Sodano Azimth project started. Later called the Southwest Pacific Proj its mission was to make a direct survey connection from Hiwaii to Austrailia. Many surveyors came to Oji to be trained and then sent to the Pacific on the project. I hear that they never returnsd to Oji but went from the project to CONUS and were ETSed. The was a large photo album commensing in WW1 and continuing to deactivation. I understand(?) that this, along with the memorial monument are now in Ft Leonard Wood Mo. Still keep in contact with guys who were with me in the 29th and other topo units. Dave Moore

[william butler]

Stationed at oji from Oct 1951 until Oct 1952.Worked at comcenter ,on second floor.Is anyone left from that time?

[Dan Cammack (OJI late 1950's)]

This is the most fantastic site! I met my wife there in Tokoyo and had a son there. I grew up there in Japan and was the best time of our life. We travel baack frequently, but was not able to find the Ol' Oji Camp ??These pictures are priceless. The one out the front gate shows the "LUCKY LAUNDRY", great flash back. Thanks evert one, give me a e-mail:
d.t.cammack@att.net

[James D. Dunn]

Attention:
This is James D. Dunn.
I believe you emailed me from my website recently.

I tried to get back in touch to tell you I didn't know the James C. Dunn you knew but your email address keeps getting bounced back to me.

If this is the same person, you may reach me at avonra50@hotmail.com

I will relay your inquiry to my father and grandfather to see if he is a part of our family tree.

If this has reached you in error, please feel free to ignore this post and delete it.

[paul briscoe]

I was stationed at Oji Camp from Aug. 1960 to Feb. 1965 met my wife and my first daughter was born at Johnson Airbase. We have been back to Oji Camp late 80's and early 90's , the last time i was there the old headquaters building and the officers club is all that is left, the rest is a big ballfield and a very nice park. The walkways around the park follow where the old roads. Grand Heights is another nice park. Enjoyed reading these post the old 1st. Sgt. Big Mac lives here in Houston, I spoke with him many times but do not know if he is still with us.

Paul Briscoe
34th engr. co
USAMSFE

[George Coulter]

I was a map compiler in the 34th eng co, 29th eng battalion at Oji from Sept 1954 to Feb 1956. Somewhere, I have two color slides of the front entrance of the 29th, I'll look through some boxes and try to post copies.

gcoulter100@aol.com

[Fred C. Simpson]

Greetings
Selective Service, the hated draft, was in high gear when I graduated. In September, 1959, I was drafted into the army, given a haircut, some new clothes and an 8 digit number with a “US” prefix. My life’s first little adventure as a private E1 had begun.
How I Got to Oji Camp
They put me into the Engineers. My first duty station after basic training was Fort Belvoir, VA, in the 517th Eng. Det., 30th Engr. Bn. There I met an officer I shall call Lt. Jim (last name forgotten). One day our unit was ordered to Puerto Rico for three days of “training” (ha ha), but Lt. Jim and I were left behind, me to varnish the barracks floor and he to supervise. Neither of us was thrilled by this arrangement. On the second day he breezed in at lunchtime (first appearance of the day as I recall) and asked if I would like to go to Japan. Two months later I arrived at a small installation in Tokyo called Oji Camp, home of the 29th Eng. Bn. and the US Army Map Service, Far East.
How I Left Oji Camp
As I’m sure you remember, compared to stateside duty Oji Camp was a 5 star resort. Houseboys cleaned the barracks, pulled KP and did guard duty. However when I walked out the gate for the last time I had no intention of ever returning. I was en-route to separation from the military, to a job with a Japanese company that would let me stay in Japan, and to freedom. For the next 50 years or so I forgot about Oji Camp.
Oji Camp Today
Now retired and living in Texas, my wife and I make occasional trips to Japan and each time I fit in a visit Oji Camp, mostly demolished and replaced by a nice park. I can’t explain the hold it has on me, but it is obviously shared by others. I wonder how many geezer gaijin like me shuffle about Chuo Park looking perhaps for their youth and fruitlessly searching for some remnant of Oji Camp beyond the old headquarters building, which still stands. All the rest is gone, folks, gone, so don’t bother.
People
Listed below are the people who I remember from Oji Camp, 1960 - 1962. I would like to hear from you. My e-mail address is fredcsimpson@hotmail.com. Don’t wait too long. Congestive heart failure and Parkinson’s disease are taking their toll.
Dept. of the Army Civilians: Pete Hirschberg; John T. Kozakis; Tony Kura; George Whipple; Ged Vadekis. I believe Pete may be deceased.
Officers: Kermit Lindell and John Donnal. You gentlemen, who each did his duty conscientiously and counseled me sternly on the horrid pitfalls of wedding a Japanese girl, should be glad to learn that the girl and I celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary on July 5, 2012. Finally, honorable mention to Lt. Jim for a casual act that changed my life. To my knowledge he was never at Oji Camp, but maybe some day he will read this and learn how things turned out for me. Thank you Jim.
Enlisted: Douglas A. Wood; Walter Brown; Rod McIlquham; Mike Zeisler; Ken Carmichael; Marty Handweiler; Jerome Johnson; Jim Richards; Leroy Lippman; John (?) Bellinger; Earl Myles; Carol Gaskill; Russell Ratch; Bob John; Jack Fetterhoff; Earl Wallace; Jack Gaunce; Lowell Ruge; Paul Smith; Ronnie Richmond; Gonzales; Aleman; Bunzui; Lipscomb; Dasher; Crocker; Bailey; Parsons; Patrick; Schulein; Stilley; DiVito; Cates; Pope; Sgt. Satterfield; Sgt. Trottman; Sgt. Ota; Sgt. Noone; Sgt. Hood; Sgt. Xavier; Sgt. Ford; Sp5 Max (last name forgotten), former Marine Corp. pilot who was later commissioned by the army.

[Fred C. Simpson]

Shortly after posting the above comment I discovered that John A. Donnal, my CO at Oji Camp in ’60-’62, was killed in a helicopter accident in Vietnam in 1967. I was very sorry to learn this. I had hoped to get in touch with him and kid him a bit about our shared military experience, now that old age had brought us both down to the same low level. Sadly, John never had a chance to grow old.

[John Vincent]

I spent about eight weeks at Camp Oji in June/July 1969 recovering from minor injuries suffered in Vietnam. All the hospitals around Danang were filling up with seriously wounded grunts so they emptied the hospitals and everyone was medevacked to various locations. I wound up flying to Yokota, bussed to Zama and then on to Oji. I recovered well at Oji and ultimately returned to my unit 245th SAC at Marble Mtn Air Facility, Danang, Vietnam. I'm currently living/working in a small resort town in upstate New York.

[Gene Ingram]

Gene Ingram here again, I have a photo of the POW compound I took when there in 65-66, it had the guard towers with search lights and the fences were about 12 foot tall. I don't know if POWs from WW II Bataan were sent there as slave labor or not, if anyone knows please email me. I have met several of the Bataan Death March survivors and read about 20 books by survivors and know POWs were sent all over Japan and Korea.
I had a corner room on the second floor in the main arsenal building, and the CO's office was down stairs. Do any of you remember the big iron doors in the hill side, I was told it was a railroad tunnel to take munitions to Yokohoma under ground, I wish I had taken a picture of that. I am on the board of directors of a military museum out side of Memphis, TN and have posted some of my photos at the museum. If any of you are ever in Memphis send me an email and I will meet you there and give you a personal tour. geneingarm1942@gmail.com

[Charles Smith]

My name is Charles Smith. I was stationed from May, 1956 to November, 1958 at the Engineers Corp located right next door to the ASA. We printed maps for the Hq. Far East. I would like to hear from any of you guys who were stationed with me at that time. I presently live in Los Angeles, CA.

[Earl Steinbicker]

Hello Charles. We were neighbors in 1957-58 at Oji Campu, I was in ASA Personnel Processing Detachment, located just yards from the back gate that led into your Engineers. This was always locked except for one day when we were allowed to pay you a visit, which I did. I have right in front of me your Tokyo City Map, which has a detail map of the "29th EB (BT)-ASA-TOD Area," showing the very buildings we inhabited!
At some time in early or mid 1958 we moved to North Camp Drake, where I lived until October 1959. A civilian once again, I moved back to New York City, and now reside just outside of Philadelphia.
Oh, those were great times!
My other blog is at www.assistingavedon.com

[Ward Miller]

I was stationed at Oji Camp from 1949 to 1952. I set up the IBM unit there and was in charge of it for most of that time. We had 10 IBM punched card machines and about 15 guys assigned there at our maximum strength.

I worked my way up to M/Sgt and then got a direct commission to 2nd Lt while I was there.

We were heavily involved in the ASA mission before and during the Korean War and produced some significant output that was very useful to the war effort. Most of the personnel of that time are gone now. I'm 86 so us survivors are getting along in years.

Ward Miller