Domain of the Golden Dragon: Crossing the Prime Meridian - Part 1

Traveling Back to the United States 
Going the LONG Way

27 Sep 1965 - 23 Oct 1965

Part 1

Family Passport Stamps

Family Passport Stamps

On our way back from Japan to the United States, my parents decided to take a world trip covering Southeast Asia, the Middle East & Europe in a six-week period. My mother, brother & I would visit the foreign country embassies in Tokyo to get the proper approvals needed to enter these countries. We also had to obtain the required health shots to enter each of these countries. My father was out at sea at this time. Some places, we would have to leave our passports overnight & pick up the following day, most of the middle eastern countries required this action.  My father had to obtain a passport as he was travelling as a US citizen without military coverage. 

My father mailed his first postcard of many (including letters) to his parents in New York expressing his joy of coming HOME.

Ten days later, when my father was out at sea, he wrote a detailed letter to "Fibber & Molly" (his nickname for his parents) his detailed plans for coming home.

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His mother, my Nana, wrote a comment on the top in green. She would pass on my parents' letters & photos to other family members as they were just as interested in our military lifestyle.

I just came across this photo of Nana (on the right) sharing a letter & photo from her son with a relative, who came for a Sunday afternoon lunch. 

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When he was released of his position on the USS Oklahoma City; movers came to pack up our belongings, our family had several farewell parties, our dog was placed in a kennel (to later be shipped to us when we knew our final address in the States) & we began our adventure. 

My parents keep a travel journal. I just recently found this journal in a box with her files & paper souvenirs from this trip. Inside this travel journal, my father kept track of the expenses spent in each country along with the travel itinerary. My mother kept a detailed TO-DO list for items to complete before we left Japan. She also listed all of the consulates in Yokohama & Tokyo. She then wrote pages for each of the countries we were interested in visiting keeping a list of requirements & recommendations for each country. These included England, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Thailand, Philippines, Belgium, Germany, India, Italy, Kuwait, Netherlands, Denmark, Pakistan, Switzerland, South Vietnam, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Republic (Emirates), Turkey, Iran, Luxembourg, Iraq, Isreal, Jordan & Lebanon. We did not visit all of these countries as planned, yet memories of the ones we saw will never be forgotten. 

My father took photos (slides) of our trip.

I knew about the slides as 30 years ago my mother had photos made of all of our travel slides. I wanted to make a scrapbook of those memories back then, jeesh, I am still working on that scrapbook! 

Here we go! 

We are ready to start our trip. We are waiting for the bus.

Monday, 27 September 1965- Tuesday, 28 September 1965 -  The Cooper family boarded a bus in Yokosuka at 1200 (noon) for Tachikawa Airport in Tokyo arriving 3 hours later. We boarded on a MATS (Military Air Transport Service) flight 6 hours later for Kadena, Okinawa, Japan. We arrive at the Kadena Airbase in Okinawa at 0120. At the terminal, we browse around the small exchange. I wanted to get a doll for Mary for her collection, but it was too big. Stan & I had coffee & doughnuts in the cafeteria. We waited for more time in the lobby. We boarded on the plane & departed from Kadena at 0320.  We are served hand towels, snacks & coffee. We all sleep soundly. We wake up about 0500 as the sunrise was just beginning over the Delta land below. We arrive at the MATS terminal of Clark Air Force Base in Luzon, the Philippines, at 0600. We go through processing. Stan checks for our next departure. We have breakfast in the terminal. We take a motor pool taxi (a canvas-covered truck-like with seats in the back) to a billeting (a lodge for soldiers in a particular place, especially a civilian's house or other non-military facilities). 

There were no rooms available. We were sent out to Diamond Apts. in Angeles for 2 rooms. We took a 3-hour snooze. We were up & back to the base in a cab. I had time to take dirty clothes to the laundry. I went to the Base Exchange to get a book bag for Mary & other necessary items. Then off to the Officer’s Club where Dad & I have a couple of Old Fashions in the cocktail lounge. Gib & Mary watch T.V. We join the children & watch with them. They were watching an old movie with Tyrone Power & Joan Fontaine, “This Above All.” We walked to the Rathskeller dining room for dinner at 5PM. Mary & I enjoy seeing the pretty dresses & a lady with pink hair. After dinner, we were off to the Kelly Theater for the movie “Carry On Spying.” Crazy! We were over to the Kelly Restaurant for milkshakes & we caught the Microbus back to the Diamond Apts.

Wednesday, 29 September 1965 - Up at 7AM. Depart Diamond Apartments in their micro-bus after waiting until the driver shines it up to return us to the terminal at Clark AFB. It was crowded with commercial plane crews & luggage. We got off at Kelly Restaurant for breakfast. We walked over to the Air Base Hotel (motel style) to see if rooms were available. We contacted  Mr. Sanchez at the billeting office. Sanchez has 1 room. We’ll take it with an extra cot. We took the cab to the Base Hotel. It was so much nicer than Diamond Apts. Stan & Gib go to pick up laundry & dry cleaning. We go see the 5PM movie Mr. Terrors House of Horrors. Dinner at Kelly's at 7PM. Back to the room where I repack bags more conveniently. Showers. Do hand laundry for the last 2 days. Hung it all over the room. Mary sound asleep fast. Gib & Dad play cards. Teasing & uncooperative. Mother annoyed. To bed about 10:30. Martha makes a post comment on driving on the right side of the street. "I felt like it was all wrong. This is after driving on the left side of the streets in Japan for 18 months."

Thurs. Sept. 30 1965 - Up at 0400. Took down still damp laundry. Check out of room 21 (Clark AFB Hotel). Motor Pool Taxi to MATS Terminal at 0530. While standing by for Stan to check arrangements, a large group of men leave for Saigon, gave them God’s blessings. Lovely sunrise of blues & pinks, Gib & I out to see it better. When return, Stan says flight delayed until 1515. He should have phoned before coming to terminal. A very pleasant Sargent told us to check bags on the flight. So, since Stan was advised to change to civilian clothes, we took cases needed & checked others, then we were on the M.P. taxi back to the hotel who allowed us back in our room at 7AM. Gib & I hungry so went to Kelly Restaurant for breakfast. Dad & Mary back to bed. Took them doughnuts, but sound asleep. Arranged Stan’s civilian clothes, packed uniform & to bed. Phone (Sanchez) rang at 0900 when we vacated the room. Can’t sleep anymore as power mower going outside. Gib & Dad play Gin Rummy. Leave room 1030. Relax, wait in the lobby & I  read the paper. Cab to O’Club at 1200. Lunch in the main dining room, play cards in the TV room until 1330. Cab to the terminal - check rest of bags by 1400. Play cards while waiting. Mary working on her multiplication tables when our flight was announced. This was a typical military transport, grey, nothing fancy. An airman was our steward, loud & clear. Very hot. Depart Clark AFB at 1520. Mary fussed about it. We try to tell her to relax. Jet flight at 35,000 ft. Her ears were affected. She was comfortable after we were airborne. Served cold cup water. Then help self to coffee. Play cards. Teach Mary 6x tables. No windows in plane. Baggage loaded behind the pilot cabin in canvas webbing. There were about 4 dependent families aboard. After we landed, we watched soldiers getting off. We were at the Tan San Nheit Airport, in Saigon, South Vietnam, at 1730. As we got off the plane we noticed we were guarded by rifle bearing troops to the terminal. We were herded into the restaurant because they wanted to keep us together so we can be found (so they say). Four or five Vietnamese planes land & unload while there. People interesting. Old woman with cane guided by girl child about 12. Had soft drinks & coffee. Outside to wait & watch the sunset. Airmen with revolvers on hips carrying small locked boxes. We board the plane & depart at 1945 for Bangkok, Thailand. Same affects. Play cards. Write in this diary. We arrive at the military side of the U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport. We then got on an Air Force bus to Bangkok International Airport on a back bouncy dirt-road partway to another highway. Bangkok Airport was large, new, beautiful, & busy. We were herded through. All dependents except us were departed to their planes. Our delay was due to radar trouble. Our family on to JUSMAG (Joint US Military Assistant Group), others returning from leave, two army men to the embassy in New Delhi, courier & discharged soldier going to New Delhi. We have rushed repast of soup in a restaurant. 10 baht, their currency. Mary was fussy. Back to the waiting room. Learn of delay. Take Mary back for a hamburger to go. 85 baht & 2 cakes 5 baht. Back to the waiting lounge. The bus takes us to the other side. Further delay. Back to International to wait some more. Had light supper in a restaurant with 3 other passengers. We were informed at midnight that our plane was delayed to 1400 tomorrow. 

Fri. 1 October 1965 - At 0030, Stan calls 5 hotels & gets a room at Thai Hotel. We watch the main entrance to wait for hotel microbus. US soldier sleeping. Other flights & passengers come in. We took a 30-minute ride to the city. We have a beautiful night ride along a large highway. 4 hotel employees along. The driver takes us by the Marble Palace, the Victory Monument (was with Burma), & the Royal Palace grounds. The city looks clean & lovely. We make plans for a Klong Tour [a type of canal in Thailand]. 

At the hotel, they have 2 rooms for us. No luggage. Stan talks them into letting 4 in 1 room as beds 3/4. Room 310. Sleep immediately. Up at 0600. Bathe & dress into same clothes & down to lobby. From the window with porch, we see 2 priests with saffron robes & beg bags. The desk clerk said it was time for breakfast in hotel restaurant. We were served a choice of fresh fruit beautifully arranged on a platter. Thai sweet pineapple, red papaya, bananas. Ordered breakfast, but before it came, the car from the Klong Tour had arrived. We had paid for Tour #1.

Our guide, Mr. Peter was joined by Mr. Ahmed S. Elhail of Kuwait just from a month each in Burma & Malaysia. We took a 20-minute ride to the Chao Phraya River where we got on a covered motorboat. He took us down the river under a bridge & into a klong or canal. At the entry to our first klong (canal), there were large rafts of bamboo poles tied together forming open squares. I missed a good shot of the fishermen below throwing their net into the water.

The river is very muddy looking. A raft was blocking the way including large barges. Our boat helped push the raft, then got by. Little children were waving western style to us, then gave us a Thai style greeting of folded hands & a bow. In the river, they bathe, wash dishes, eliminate, wash clothes. Women & many men are in sarong type skirts in which they bathe in. 

We see wooden houses on stilts over the river. They sleep on floor mats & eat at low tables. 

We move on to the floating market, only out at the early morning. There are boats loaded with coconuts, vegetables, flowers, toys, coffee & everything else. Each is carrying its own type of ware. Paddled by women in straw hats with flat top & flared rims. Klong is very congested. 

Individuals paddle their own small 1-2 man boats. 

In a clear area, we turn to the right into a jingle like atmosphere, then into another floating market area. We see small Buddhist temples on poles. 

We stop at a Thai silk factory. We watch men spinning & women weaving. Many beautiful colors. There was a souvenirs shop at the front. The weavers are in the back. A spinner & a weaver were delighted in touching Mary. They squeezed her arm & touched her face. One gave her blue silk thread. 

Slide mom purchased

Further in back, we went through a Thai style house with our boat guide. We saw 2 pygmy elephants in the back. There was a black bear cub under the house. A monkey was out in front at the souvenir shop. I bought postcards.  Back on the boat. Pass a few colorful temples & some old broken down ones. 

We returned back to the river. We pass by Royal gold barges at the Thai Navy Base. The barges on the river were practicing for a royal river procession for Oct. 19. About 100 Navy men in tan uniform practiced procession rowing in one boat stationery all in one form.

Slide Mom purchased

 We went on up the river to the other side. We were off at Wat Aroon Temple. Some towers Thai style & the smaller ones were Cambodian style. Very decorative Chinese porcelain pieces. Many were broken off. A close look shows the use of broken dishes, cups, chips, etc. We saw 3-headed elephants in the main central tower. Mary, Gib & I walk up halfway, which was steep with high steps. Mr. Elhail helped Mary down the other side. Nice view. I bought a color slide set for $5. Had soft drinks. Bought 4 Thai ties at 75¢ each. We went up the remaining part of the river coming back into the boat landing from the opposite side. Our micro-bus brought us back to the Thai Hotel. Gib & Mr. Elhail discover both are stamp collectors. He invites us to his room for drinks. Mary & I freshen up. Dad checks out. Join Mr. Elhail for best drinks of Scotch I ever had. Really hit me as no food yet. He showed us the fortune in stamps he bought from Barneo, Burnei, Sarawak, Singapore, Malaysia. He must be loaded. Very friendly. Exchange addresses. Engaged to be married next year. He spoke very good English as he was educated in England. We hurry to catch a cab to the airport. There we join other passengers for lunch. Too much food. Lunch for about ฿25 = $1.25 of cream tom soup, white fish with wine sauce, mashed potatoes, then ox tong, boiled potatoes, grilled onion, green beans, & carrots, coffee, rolls, butter, fresh fruit compote (pineapple, banana, papaya - delicious combination). Chat for a while & back to the waiting room, flight again delayed. Now 1545. At 1600, we were informed that the flight is not going to New Delhi as we can’t get aircraft clearance due to accelerated activity in the Indo -Pakistani War; so it’s going back to Clark in the Philippines. Do we want to go back to the Philippines? Yes? No! Hope our world trip doesn’t end here. Let’s make inquiries on commercial flights. This is a busy airport. Planes coming in & out regularly. All airlines represented. Stan inquires at Air France. I go down to Air India. Air India has nothing going for 2 days. Air France tomorrow night at 1855. Price for 3 & 1/2 about $1200. Takes about 45 min. to get all the information. Stan calls back the Thai Hotel. OK. Take airport transportation back to the hotel after hassling with cab drivers with cabs too small for all of us & our luggage. At the hotel, we meet Mr. Elhail at the desk, so we invite him for a drink in the Silver Room Restaurant & Bar. We have a lively discussion with him. He’s disgusted with way free-spending Americans have made it so expensive for other nationals to travel. He gave large cities like Tokyo, as an example. On his recent trip to a small town outside of Tokyo, he asked someone of his opinion of Americans. They like our money but, they don’t like us. I made a defence for us. Stan partially agreed with him. Mr. Elhail told us a little about Kuwait where he was from. We went to our room to bathe & relax before a nice dinner at the Silver Room. After dinner, back our room, Stan wrote letters & I laundered my drip-dry dress & hoped it will require no pressing tomorrow morning. I seem to be living in it. Everyone was very tired & slept soundly. 

Here is the letter Stan wrote to his in-laws, Martha's parents, Steve & Mary Gabuzda.

We found out from Fred, the man at the desk, that we need a special letter of authorization to leave Thailand since we came on MATS & are now leaving commercial. Stan called the American Embassy. It being after hours, the woman who answered the phone was very annoyed; but she told us that a letter would be written tonight & ready for pick up tomorrow morning. 

Our adventures continue in my next blog post. Believe me, it gets better!

Domain of the Golden Dragon: Crossing the Two Main Longitudes - Part 3

Part 3

                                SAILING TO Yokohama, Japan   
                                    1 July 1964 - 13 July 1964

Green Dragons are initiated crossing the International Dateline

My father was serving as the Operations Officer on the USS Oklahoma City CLG-5 in 1963. The following year, this vessel was sent to Japan during the Vietnam War. We were living in southern California at the time, the ship was sent on ahead to Yokosuka, Japan, with my father on it. My mother was left to rent their home during our time away. She packed our belongings, some for storage & others to be sent on to Japan. My mother drove up to San Francisco to the same port where we previously met the MSTS GENERAL DANIEL I. SULTON now for the second time. This time, we brought another passenger with us, our dog, a Shetland Sheep Dog.

We needed to upgrade our U.S. Passports. 

My mother took some pictures of this trip. I am very thankful. She later made a beautiful photo album of our time in Japan. This album only covered our first 4 months in Japan. The rest of the labelled photos & slides were in boxes

Mother kept a detailed journal of this journey to Yokohama, Japan. 

Monday, 29 June 1964 - We arrived at the Oakland Naval Supply Center & had to wait for the office to open at 7 A.M. I made arrangements for shipping & then took the car to the shipping lot. They arranged transportation to the bus stop to Ft. Mason. The driver was very helpful and paternal. It was damp and windy. He told us we should go into the restaurant to wait as we had an hour. We had some more breakfast. We had trouble getting all of our luggage on the bus. Finally, another passenger, Marine Captain, Jack Davis, helped us. He, too, was going on the Sultan to Sasebo with his wife, Barbara and son, David, 5 years old. We stopped at Treasure Island, the Federal Building in San Francisco & then to Ft. Mason. No trouble getting a room at the Hostess House. Everything very convenient. There was the Exchange, which was closing out, we were able to get a few things we needed. It also included a restaurant, Beauty Shop, barbershop & processing center. After settling in our room, old but comfortable, and resting, we took a walk about the Fort to explore and make good use of the binoculars. After dinner, we went to the bowling alley, but couldn’t bowl as it was league night & they just had two lanes. We watched for a while, then went back to our rooms and read. I wrote a letter to Stan & cards to family. We had a sink in our room but had to use the community bath. Many children about, noisy and restless, & tired travelling mothers.

Tuesday, 30 June 1964 - Up about 7:30. Breakfast. Processing for travel at 9A.M. Had to have flu shots. Picked up passports from Mrs. Otis & got boarding instructions. After lunch, Gib went to the barber, Mary & I to the beauty shop. Later, took a walk away from  Ft. Mason and around the adjacent  North Shore. Watched some old Italian men playing Bocci Ball. Walked to Hyde St. where we found the cable car turntable. Took a ride all the way to downtown San Francisco, got off white the car was turned around, & on again for the ride back. This took us through part of China Town. It was cold & windy during our walk back to Ft. Mason. Had dinner & went bowling. Back at our room,  I reorganized the luggage & took it to the designated spot for pick up in the morning. Martha writes a letter to Stan.

Wednesday, 1 July 1964 - The Big Day of Departure. Up early for breakfast. Boarded the Navy Bus, which took us to Oakland. At the port, we check on Sasha (our dog), & took him through the Vet’s station. Mr. Russell had brought him & his supplies. Gib took him aboard & put him in a cold steel cage where he had a very uncomfortable voyage. Then we went back through the boarding line, had our papers checked & were escorted to our cabin #218. Next to the one #222 which we had occupied on our previous trip on the MSTS GENERAL DANIEL I. SULTON. As per Stan’s advice & instructions & remembering the earlier voyage, we unpacked & got the cabin in order. The army band was on the pier playing farewell songs, so we went up to listen & take pictures. 

But, first, we had lunch sitting at table #10. Paulo was our waiter. We met our table mates, Cdr. & Mrs. Bob Burke (Tottie) & their 16-year-old daughter, Deedee (Diedre). He was going to the Ship Repair Facility in Yokosuka. Sailing time was at 1400 (2PM). It was a beautiful day as we moved under the Oakland Bay Bridge, past Alcatraz Island, under the Golden Gate & we were on our way. For the first three days, we took our Bonamine to prevent “mal de mer.” In the deep waters of San Francisco it was quite rough, but the next few days were calm. We familiarized ourselves with the ship’s regulations & I even did some ironing. I spent the evening getting acquainted with other passengers in the lounge. We retired early.

Thursday, 2 July 1964 - Religious services are held daily in the chapel. Gib goes up to feed and clean Sasha daily. Mary & I pay an occasional visit. We spent some time on the sun deck today, chatting & reading while Mary played on the swings. The Children’s Playroom is open every morning & afternoon with an evening movie. The children have to be in their staterooms between 1-3 P.M. & by 8:30P.M. Many teenagers aboard for Gib. Not many Mary’s age. She went to the movie today & came back & tried to tell me about it & burst into tears. “Lad A Dog” was playing & she managed to hold back the tears until she returned to the cabin. (I was very sensitive to any movie or television show about animals. I was not allowed to watch Lassie growing up, as every episode made me cry.) After settling Mary in bed, Gib & I played Bingo. I won a pair of binoculars. 

Friday, 3 July 1964 - I have to be careful not to overeat. The food is too much & too good. Physical activity is limited. Doing lots of reading & talking with the Burkes; Beth & Carl Jennings; & Ann Gorman, who has been in Japan for nine years & returning after a home visit. Her husband is Civil Service. I discovered we were going the northern route, bypassing Hawaii, so I sent radiograms to friends notifying them that we would not be seeing them. I also sent one to Stan informing him that we were arriving in Yokohama on the 13th of July instead of the 16th.

Saturday, 4 July 1964 - Dance tonight in the Lounge. Orchestra made up from the troops aboard. Teenagers do the decorating & most of the dancing. Burkes invited me to their room for a drink after the evening buffet. I saw “Lilies of the Field” at 1800 (6PM) movie. Not impressed. I received a radiogram from Stan in reply to mine. 

Sunday, 5 July 1964 - My day to supervise the children’s playroom ages 6-12. Sunday school first, then a short movie. After lunch & rest period, they showed “Swiss Family Robinson.” Children are very difficult to keep under control. Tonight is Casino Night in the Dining Saloon. Each player is given $1000 in paper money. I only observed Gib not interested in older teenage activities, like dancing. He was chumming with DeeDee Burke, Vickie Jennings, with Carl & Billy Jennings. They saw “The Music Man” tonight. I had a Meeting of the Golden Dragons (that’s us) today to plan the International Date-Line Crossing Ceremony.

Monday, 6 July 1964 - The daily routine is becoming monotonous but relaxing & enjoyable. Up at 7AM. Breakfast at 0800. Lunch at 12:15. Dinner at 5:15. Bingo again tonight; but I choose to go to the movie “My Geisha.” It was excellent. But the screen flew up in the middle of the movie. Gib got up to pull it down but couldn’t reach it. Others tried, but it was stuck. At least 20 min. went by before it was repaired. In the meantime, I went out on the deck & met the Master of the ship, Capt. Harrington. Filled out immigration forms today. The officers in charge of the Military Dept. are all very wonderful. The Special Services officer is very good - trying to keep everybody busy and happy.  The Chaplain doing the same with the children. I had to pay subsistence & pet charges today. We had to bring Sasha’s food with us, plus dishes, leash, muzzle & blanket. The charge of $7.50 was for his cage. Charge for Gib, Mary & I was about $50. Where else can one get on a two-week cruise for that? It might not be a luxurious trip, but it is comfortable & everyone is very kind. We have an adjoining bath to our cabin & a steward to clean it every day. No tipping allowed. Excellent table service at meals.

Tuesday, 7 July 1964 - Clocks have to be set back one hour every night, & tonight is the big jump as we cross the 180th meridian & lose Wednesday. Today is the Date Line Crossing Ceremony. Gib is busy getting all props ready for the initiation of the Slimy Green Dragons. They

had to abide by certain rules of dress - all women had to go without make-up & wearing hair curlers. Men had to put red spots on cheeks & nose. All had to wear their clothes backwards. They had to remain silent all morning unless spoken to by a Golden Dragon; but before answering they had to salute and say, “Hail to the Glorious Golden Dragon.” At 1330 (3:30PM),

the initiation took place in the Children’s play enclosure on the sun deck. Each green dragon was taken by the Sheriff of the Sea to the Court of the Golden Dragon (a King, a Queen and mermaid) who were represented by the man,

woman & teenager who was the earliest aboard to have crossed before. The initiation consisted of blindfolding, then having the individual put his hand in a can of cooked cold spaghetti and were told it was worms; walking barefoot over “glass” (eggshells); putting faces in a pig trough to remove an olive from salad fixings; greasing the area around the mouth and blowing hard into a cup of flour; raw eggs broken overhead, ice cubes down clothes, etc. I busied myself taking pictures. Mary laughed very hard at it all & Gib assisted inside the cage. Later at dinner, we confessed to the Burkes that we had never been through initiation as we had crossed in 1957 on Christmas Day & we celebrated Christmas instead. This made Tottie & DeeDee furious as they had been the target of our personal harassment. This evening there was a Shipwreck Dance; but again I went to the movie, “Woman of Distinction” with Rosalind Russell. Funny. Later, joined Tottie and Bob in their cabin. 

Stan writes to his parents, “After ten days on the high seas from Pearl Harbor to Yokosuka, the USS Oklahoma City finally made it alongside the ship that we will relieve as flagship, the USS Providence.” 

USS Oklahoma City is pushed alongside the USS
Providence in Yokosuka, Japan, on 7 July 1964.

Stan also mentions that he heard from Marty about their earlier arrival. He continues, “They will arrive earlier than scheduled which means I will be here to greet them instead of being out to sea as originally scheduled. Everyone is much happy to be sure. I  have so much to do

in the next few days before Marty gets here…get a Japanese driver’s license, find our new house, buy some Japanese furnishings for the place, staple foodstuffs, registrations forms for Japanese license plates for the car & whatever else I run into. Since we will be the flagship for Vice Admiral Johnson who is the Commander of the Seventh Fleet there will be a lot of responsibility in my hands which I cannot afford to make mistakes at this time as my name will be appearing before the selection board for Commander next month. Mary is enthusiastically looking forward to her new home in a new land. Come to think of it, she is about the same age that Gib was when he first went to the Philippines. We are anticipating a good tour of duty here & plan as a family for all of us to climb Mt. Fuji all the way there to the top so we can have something to remark about for the rest of our lives. I hope to hire a maid before Marty gets here.”

Wednesday, 8 July 1964 - Lost day with crossing the International Date Line.

Thursday, 9 July 1964 - Weather not good today. Some excitement though. Had to veer from off course to go on a rescue mission. A crew member on the Navy freighter USNS Bland was stricken with a perforated ulcer & the doctor was sent over on a lifeboat to bring him back to the Sultan & operate.

Friday, 10 July 1964 - Routine day. Foul weather. Fog and rain. Sick passenger doing satisfactorily. Went up to see Sasha. He’s most unhappy. There is a laundry where the wash is done for us, & an ironing room in which we can do our own ironing. I had long chat with Betty Jennings today. They just came from Lemoore, where he was a maintenance officer. We had to fill out more papers. Talent contest in the Lounge tonight. Some very good. I was a spectator, of course. Got sea-sick today.

Saturday, 11 July 1964 - Routine day. Weather still bad - fog. Bingo again tonight. Filled out Declaration papers on what we were taking into Japan with us. Sick again today. Spent most of it in bed. Gib also not feeling well. Mary fine. 

Sunday, 12 July 1964 - After Sunday school, children played Bingo. I attended Debarkation meeting for all those passengers getting off in Yokohama. First stop. Then the ship goes on to Okinawa, Korea, & back to Sasebo before the trip home to San Francisco. Sayonara dance tonight in the lounge. Went to 1800 (6PM) movie with Mary in the playroom to see “Pollyanna.”

Then to see “Spartacus” in the theater, but couldn’t stand it so left & went to watch the teenagers twisting. Spent the afternoon packing. 

Monday, 13 July 1964 - We were up early & very excited about our arrival & seeing Daddy again. Put our baggage in the corridor & had breakfast. We saw land & a few fishing boats & freighters from our porthole. Got more excited as we came up Tokyo Bay. Thought we could see Yokohama, but no one seemed certain. Tried to take some pictures, but it was too hazy. Went through Immigration after the Officials boarded in the Lounge. Very fast & out on deck again as we came closer to the pier. 

Yokohama in view.

Could not see Stan anywhere. I lost my sunglasses over the side. A band was playing a Welcome song for us. We said good-bye to those we would not be seeing again & went ashore. We waited for about 30 minutes for Stan inside the terminal. Finally, he came, looking thin and pale, gave me a quick kiss & headed for the men’s room. Poor fellow! He had been sick in bed all weekend. He was late as he had trouble finding the North Pier where we tied up. After introductions to Bob & Tottie, he changed our money for us, got our baggage into the old broken down auto-bus that belongs to the Oklahoma City.  He & Gib went to get Sasha who was very excited. It was hot & humid. I ran into the Exchange & bought myself another pair of sunglasses & we headed for Kamakura & our new home. Yokohama was not a very pretty site & the streets were busy & crowded. The Japanese drivers are mad & dear Stan was acting like one of them. We hung on for dear life. Somewhere along the way, we took a wrong turn.”

Mom continues with great detail of our first exciting day with Dad driving us to Kamakura, getting lost, finding & moving into our small Japanese home. Dad was out to sea a few days later leaving mom on her own. I have wonderful memories of our 15 months in Japan. My mother was the perfect military wife as she loved adventure with her independent spirit which my father adored about her. 

Our next trip back to the United States was in the fall of 1965. My parents thought it would be a once in a lifetime experience if we took the “long way home.” I literally saw the world as we travelled through Southeast Asia, the Middle East & Europe. My mother also kept a daily journal of this trip with a few days missing. It was the best education I could experience. My next blog post will cover this. Do you want it in full detail or just an edited version? Let me know what you want to read? I will gladly share my experiences with you.