Robert, I was at Eta Jima from Oct. 1952 to Sept. 1953.
I started by going to Construction Foreman, was in the course for 3 weeks.
Then pulled strings to transfer to the Tractor Scraper Course, located at Ohara Training Area.
Upon completing the 6 week course I was held back from shipment to Korea. In the TSC I was assigned as an Instructor, as the Grader phase leader.
I taught graders for about 5 months, then had to overlap in the Dozer and Scraper phases.
I enjoyed every day I spent there, I always thought Eta Jima was the most beautiful base I was ever on.
There were many other neat bases, but were spread out and not condensed like E. J. was.
From Nov. 1968 to Sept. 1972 I was assigned to Hq. Japan, in the G-4. I was with the Command Maintenance and Logistics Inspection Group.
We traveled all over Japan on inspection trips, many took us to Akazuki Ammunition Depot, located almost straight across from Kure.
The bulk of the ammo. was stored up in the hills on the mainland. Each time we visited Akazuki the new members of the team would want to visit Hiroshima.
Once a week each month I was assigned to the USARJ IG team which always took us to the Kure, Eta Jima and Iwakuni areas.
That led to more people wanting to go to the Hiroshima Bomb site. Them days we rode the Hydrofoil from Kure to Hiroshima a 25-35 minute ride, regular boat was about 1 hr, 30 min.
The pictures of Eta Jima are beautiful, thanks to all who took them and who put the package together.
Keep the Pictures comming, thanks.
Clyde B. Keene
