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.
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.
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
Does anyone remember Miss Motorpool aka Miss Deguchi, 1959?
Posted by: Brock | September 23, 2012 at 02:54 AM
I was in Cp Oji from 1961-1965,with the 29th Engr Co.(survey)Division of Geodesy and the Lunar Occultation Branch.Went to many of the pacific islands.Rode the FS ships a lot and flew to Port Moresby,New Guinea and was involved with the SW pacific survey and some gravity surveys.
Posted by: Paul Nick Hall | December 19, 2012 at 04:38 PM
I was stationed at Oji 1969-1970 294th MP co. Lived above fire station. Remember when Gen Westmoreland visited. After transfer to Camp Drake ,because of Oji's closing ,Was assigned several times as single security for the whole vacant camp. One afternoon shift I played the association's tune "never my love" over the camps PA system. Other times I searched the old HQ bldg for the entrance to the tunnels out to Tachikawa AB. Never found it.
Posted by: J.Poss | December 29, 2012 at 05:56 PM
I joined the ASA in 1952, schooled at Fort Devens, Mass. Shipped over to Japan in 1953, stationed at ASA Hqs. Oji, Japan. We had a WAC Capt. as our commanding officer. I don't remember her name or the guys on base. Gene Davis of Marshall, MI remembered a lot of them. Would appreciate hearing from any "Oji Samuri".
Jim Parks, Sgt. Otsego, MI
Posted by: Jim Parks | May 23, 2013 at 09:21 PM
I arrived hq asapac 1953 to 1955. Was secretary to col greener. Later moved to personnel. Does anybody remember the great pitcher I think his name was Ed o'rosky. They won thebfar east softball title in 1953 or 1954. Would love to hear from some of the guys I served with and partied with.
Remberbthe goog steaks at the rocker 4
Posted by: Dick chapin | June 18, 2013 at 11:31 PM
Oji Campers: I arrived New Years Eve 1958,left May 1961. Was with 29th Engr Btn.Topo. draftsman-engraver. CO was Capt. Wolf, succeeded by Capt. Donnel & 1st Sgt. Hood. Sgt. Frenchy D'Entremont was an old army character in charge of our barracks and a great card player.Sorry to hear he passed. Other guys were Jim Corcoran, Don Hermanson, Jerry Wrightenberry, Iskandar Baday, Sgt. Saroaka. Many good times.
Posted by: Tom Filla | August 10, 2013 at 11:44 PM
I was at hq asapac April 52 to march 53, worked traffic analysis first under captain Parker, then captain truex. Worked with Tom hackney, Jim pivoney, David Pieter, chuck Murray, Jim oconnor, George weber, John tuck, Harry wicks trim, norm shore, Danny slayne, tony do audio, Pete Lillian, and more. March 53 went to korea and finished tour with 301st comm recon bn in X corp area near the east coast, then back to ft defens until discharge July 54.
Posted by: John John Jackson of Wenatchee Washington and San Jose California.......: Messy sex with a doctor - this cute teen needs to be examined by | November 30, 2013 at 11:50 PM
I was stationed at OJI Camp in 1956 to 1959. I was in the 29th Eng. Bat. 95th Eng. Co. and was an offset pressman. We printed a lot of maps of the far East. Some of the maps we printed were secret and top secret, which had to go to the Pentagon the next day. Our barracks was next to the day room and NCO Club and Parade field in front. It was an exciting tour. Riding the trains was like sardines in a can. I don't think you could ever get lost if you could find a train station and ask for JUJO. I've been in contact with Larry Dick and Joel Harrison. Any more members left can email me at gwjames@hotmail.com Love to hear from you...Gary James
Posted by: gary james | March 09, 2014 at 06:34 PM
I was at Oji from mid-1957 until mid-1958, right across the security fence from you engineers. After that we moved to North Camp Drake, and I suppose you guys took over our buildings. I still treasure one of your maps -- best map of Tokyo I've ever seen! Earl Steinbicker, former ASAPAC resident.
Posted by: Earl Steinbicker | March 10, 2014 at 09:34 AM
Came to Oji Oct. 1957 on R&R, slept in barracks, High School Buddy Frank Paul stationed at Oji showed me the sights. We attended West Seattle High together. I was stationed 301st ASA, Co. B. Company Clerk, Uijongbu Korea. 1958 stationed 100th ASA Det., Operations Clerk, White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Anyone know any info White Sands? No records exist.
Posted by: Bill Clymer | December 30, 2014 at 02:52 PM