March 15, 2011
Sir,
My father, Cecil "Jack" Kirby recently past away and I received his DD-214. He did not talk much about his service, but I am interested if anyone knew him. He served 9/56 to 7/59 in Japan assigned to 12th USASA Fld Sta APO 181. He told me he was stationed in Japan and worked Intelligence. His last rank was E-5 and he received an Honorable discharge. Any information would be appreciated.
I also served in the Army from 9/82 to 7/86.
Cynthia Kirby
Posted February 15, 2011
To briefly answer your questions before I head out to the store again. Yes, you are welcome to post my "story" and info on the website you mentioned. I did take a quick peek last night (a few photos of the area). Below I listed all the information from the copy of the adoption decree; feel free to include all that in your posting.
I live in the greater Seattle area. My hometown is Monterey, CA (2.5 hrs south of S.F.). I moved to Seattle in early 2002. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it to that next reunion in Hershey, PA. I lived in Philadelphia for a few years back in the mid 90's. My ex husband is from Philly.
Extract of Family Register:
Registered domicile: 9-Banchi, 3-Chome, Asahi-cho, Chitose City, Hokkaido
Name: Yasuko Nishida (age 26)
*by report of the birth, this family registerwas complied relating to the mother on 16 May 1967 (seal)
Description:
Female - Nancy Sung
Mother: Yasuko Nishida
DOB: 5 April 1967
Born at: #11-Banchi, 1-Chome, Shinonome-cho, Chitsoe-Shi, Hokkaido on 5 April 1967, a report of her birth by the mother, Yasuko Nishida was accepted and entered into this family register on 16 May of the same year (seal)
* The notification of the adoption by Robert Hyde Britton and his wife, Jum Boon, American citizens, was given by the adoptive parents and mother Nishida, Yasuko; who has parental power and had given assent to this adoption and it was received on 29 June 1967 (seal)
* I certify that this is a true copy of the original family register
30 June 1967
File No: Chi-sho-150
Tadao Yoneta, (sealed)
Mayor of Citose City
* This is to certify that the foregoing translation is true and correct to the best of my knowledge
Mikio Kawasaki
Advisor, PMO
Kuma Station
Additional:
According to the limited info from my adopted mother (Jum Boon aka Yoshi), she met Yasuko at a bar or restaurant in Chitose. My birth mother was a very petite, soft spoken, 25 - 26 year old nurse; working at a private doctor's office (not at a hospital). No info about my birth father other than he was an American service member; more than likely an Army soldier. It's very possible that he knew Yasuko was pregnant, but did not offer any help & left her to her own devices. Yasuko stated she was afraid to go home to her family and had nowhere to live at the time. She stated that if someone would help her, she would be willing to give the baby up for adoption. Jum was not able to have a baby of her own. She felt sorry for Yasuko's situation. So they made the agreement for the adoption. Yasuko resided with my adoptive parents, in their on base quarters for most of her pregnancy (for aprox 6 months). During which time, they paid for all her medical expenses thru a private doctor. She had custody of me for approximately a month or so after I was born. During which time, she had a change of heart & wanted to keep me. Adoptive parents were fine with that, but there was the matter of reimbursement. They had provided financial support as well as all the fees involved with the adoption process. Being a young unwed mother with just a nurse's salary made that very difficult situation for Yasuko. So she relented & went ahead with the adoption process as agreed upon. My parents stated that Yasuko had admitted to being adopted herself. Also there was mention that she was was considering a move to Canada or the USA sometime after the adoption was complete.
The Britton family left Chitose around September 1967. After several years being stationed in Korea and other places, eventually we moved to Marina, CA (Monterey Peninsula) while dad was still in the Army. I was about 6 or 7 years old at that time. We resided there while he was stationed at various places over the course of my childhood. He retired as a Sargent Major after 30 years of service. During his time in, he worked in Public Relations, Journalism, TV/radio anchor. After retirement from active duty, he returned home to Marina, CA. He continued working in civil service first at the now defunct Ft. Ord Army base. When the base closed, he transferred to the Presidio of Monterey DLI - Defence Language Institute, to work for the base newspaper/magazine.
That is all the information I have. Of course all this transpired almost 44 years ago so their memory isn't 100% in tact for exact in depth details. I hope someone reads your post & can provide some additional information to help in my search. Thank you again!
Happy holidays to you & yours!
Best regards,
Nancy
Posted December 25 2010
Let me know if I am on an impossible task. We currently live in Korea. My husband is connected with the US forces relocation development project south of Seoul
Thanks for any help, or even generic info on the base at that time period. I attached the rather irreverent presentation page in the bible...they sound like they must have been fun guys.
Bobbie (and Jon) Herwig
| I was assigned to Chitose Mar62 to Mar 64. I am trying to find Eldon Fales who worked in supply. Can you help me? |
Does anyone remember Harold Wayne
Werner? He was my father and passed away 12 Feb 2009. I am
just looking for any stories to add to my remembrance book that I am making for
my mother Mary Werner. I attended the reunion at Colorado Springs as a Chitose Brat…I
was the female Lt Col Terry Chase, USAF, now retired. Any information
would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Terry L. Werner Chase, Colonel,
USAF Ret
Terry.chase@peterson.af.mil
I'm trying to locate Dave Cannell who was in the TA section at Chitose in the late 60s and then later was the 1SG of the 522nd MI Bn (I think) at Ft. Hood, TX. Any help would be appreciated.
My wife, Pat " Danford " Walton is looking for anyone that knows or knew Carolyn and Marilyn Eiland. They were stationed there during the 63-65 period. Pat's father was the mess NCOIC for HQ Company.
Please reply to skipwalton@hotmail.com or
mpwalton_aafes@hotmail.com
Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Dwight "Ike" Lutz Chitose 67/68
My father was
stationed as part of an Intel unit; he worked with reel to reels tracking top
secret satellites I believe, which should be unclassified now. I am looking for
old pictures of him and friends of his that may still be alive. I am Dwight’s
son born in Japan 08/22/1967. My mother Katie and my father lived on base and I
can remember some stories of the Sapporo Ice Festivals and of the large amount
of snow on base during the winter. I myself am a proud veteran of the 3/325ABTC
and was stationed in Vicenza Italy and served in North Iraq the First time
trying to help the Kurds. I do know my father had a Top Secret clearance
which made it difficult to get my Secret clearance.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Dean Lutz deanlutz@carolina.rr.com
There is a picture in this new photo page showing a Lee Dunn who lived in the same barracks as me at Devens and we traveled by train across country in March of 58. We sailed to Japan on the Frederick Funstion, spent a week in Tokyo and at Chitose in early April 58. I was assigned to trick 2 and Lee was assigned another trick. Lee was from Alabama. Does anyone know anything about him? Dick Taaffe (dtaf@zoominternet.net)-
Charlie Corretto, Tom Cullum, Joe Krautkramer, Lober,
Lee Dunn, Bob Hodgin, Conrad Brettin
I recently sent in some notes and recollections of my time in Chitose in the early 1960's. I would like to hear any information anyone may have on some of the guys I have lost contact with since leaving a generation (or Two) ago.
Charlie Wilson:
Thom Roose Sr
I would like to find out if anyone knows where Dick Smith currently resides. The last I knew he was working for American Airlines in Dallas, TX.
I just returned from Dallas and the personnel there indicated that Dick had retired and, of course, no one knows where he went.
Dick was originally from the Detroit area.
If anyone knows his whereabouts, please e-mail me at jkempf4256@aol.com
Thanks
I am looking for a lost buddy. R.C. Graham Jr. (Robert Clinton Graham Jr.). Chitose 1960-66 I believe. His military records were listed as R. C. He was a Teletype Repairman in the Operations Building. I believe he was from Gastonia or Charlott, North Carolina. He lived off post with his wife and three children.
My father was stationed in Hokkaido, as part of the Army of Occupation, in 1948. He was assigned to the 31st Infantry (Polar Bear)Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division. We were billeted in Chitose for a while, until we got quarters in Camp Crawford (10 mi West of Sapporo).
The 7th Infantry (Hourglass Division) was called to Korea in 1950, and the dependendents stayed behind in Camp Crawford, until the Army could no longer guarantee our safety. We left Japan for the US in 1951 and awaited my father's return in 1952. I'd be happy to know if anyone has any information about Chitose Air Base on or about 1948 and/or Camp Crawford from 1948-1951.
Vince Mattaliano
Pompton Plains, NJ
vmwrites@aol.com
I am looking for someone who may have been friends with a Jack
(JT?) Keller Chitose 60-63. His son Jason would like to contact some of
his old friends to find out more of his dad's days at Chitose. He recalls
his father having been friends with a big Texan and a Jewish fellow. He
also had a quote from Tolstoy in his locker.
asachitose@aol.com or asachitose@yahoo.com
Does
anyone recognise Jim
Griffin?
Jim recently passed away and his childhood sweetheart and family are
looking for photographs and memories of his time in Chitose. Received the
following email:
I hope you might know of Jim he was in the 12th when first
sent to the Army in Chitose Japan in January 15, 1963-65. He was moved to a new
bldg. on Chit III in July of 1963 where he said he had plenty of working
room and 3 bays to work in. He said since he was a Pfc. and a 766 he would be
the "head Honcho, boss" there with a new guy to help him do the work. He joined
in October 15, 1962, and did his basic training at Ft. Gordon Ga. and was sent
to Japan without leave. He talked about knowing a Mike Maxwell, Ron Abbott and a
Keith Baggie. He was to try out for the Post basketball team, or Headquarters
team which the coach was sure he would make but also talked about the 11opns and
12opns teams. I know that he played basketball against the Japanese if that
helps. We grew up together and I was his first love at the old age of 14 and he
was 17, but we knew each other from elementary through High School where he gave
up a promising basketball scholarship in his Senior year and joined the Army
after a fight with his abusive father. I am trying to find pictures of any kind
of him for his family and especially would love a picture of him on the
basketball team in 1963-64-65.
Linda Lewis-Craig 
1964 Post Headquarters
Basketball Team
Jim is in front row far
left.
