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- tachikawa air base main gate 1969
- tachikaw air base 1967 snow
- tachikawa ab spring 1967 cherry blossoms
- tachikawa ab housing area
- green park military housing japan 1970
- DC-4 takeoff tachikawa air base japan 1968
- dc-3 c-130 tachikawa air base 1967
- Tachikawa ab civilian club 1969
- tachikawa air base bank 1970
- BX tachikawa ab east side
- BOQ tachikawa air base japan 1969
- Tachikawa AB air terminal 1974
- 315th air division HQ 1969
- Tachikawa air base japan closed 1977
- Tachikawa AB Laundry Gate 1969
- Tachikawa AB map
- DC-4 Air America Tachikawa Air Base 1968
- yamato high school japan reunion 1999
- Yamato Air Station Closed 1973
- Yamato High School Japan 1969
- tachikawa air base west side map
- Tachikawa AB east side map
- tachikawa Air Base plane takeoff 1961
- tachikawa air terminal 1959
- Tachikawa NCO football jacket 1960
- 1966 Tachikawa air base house floor plan
- Tachikawa AB 2002
- 1960 red skelton at tachikawa air base with Mstg C...
- 1970 tachikawa ab housing
- tachikawa air base housing 1960
- tachikawa flight patch goonerybird
- tachikawa air base east side movie
- Tachikawa Air Base 1965
- Tachikawa Air Base 2003
- C-124 Tachikawa air base 1960
- tachikawa ab west side movie 1966
- Tachikawa AB main gate 1962
- Tachikawa East side snack bar 1967
- Tachikawa Ab logo
- Radar Shack Tachikawa AB japan 1968
- Tachikawa AB NCO Club 1960
- tachikawa ab NCO ballroom 1962
- US Military Money Japan 1960
- Welcome to Tachikawa Air Base Japan 1960
- Tachikawa Air Base cherry blossoms 1967
- tachikawa ab housing area 1967
- Communist Red Flags end of runway Tachikawa AB 1968
- C-124 tachikawa ab 1962
- C-130 Tachikawa Ab 1968
- Tachikawa AB 1961 C-47
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December
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About Me
- Mike Skidmore
- Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, United States
- Born Dec 8 1950,Hutchinson Kansas, raised in a Air Force family, moved 10 times and went to 9 different schools before i graduated from yamato high school Japan in 1969.
28 comments:
I lived there then. Probably the most horrible place I can remember from my childhood.
I lived there as a kid in the mid 1950's after moving from the Washington Heights housing area near Tokyo. My father was active US Army (CWO) Our apartment unit was on a ground floor wing at the very back near the swimming pool. I spent a lot of time playing around in that pool on those hot summer days! I remember taking tennis lessons at the tennis court they had on top of the roof area and did a lot of things in the hobby shop area such as building model airplanes,ships and even a plastic dinosaur skeleton model and other stuff that youngster did in those days. I remembered how a lot of kids would resell their older comic books out on the hallway floors. Oh yea, and those frequent earthquake tremors that would cause some occasional excitement!
There is a lot more I could share, but,I am sure there is a lot I had forgotten. It is amazing how much I have remembered from my time there.
I was there in 56/57 in 6th grade. Lived in the back wing ground floor on the pool side. Probably in the first unit around the corner from the 'club'. Pretty much had free run of Green Park and have many found memories. Recall taking the DOD bus (unaccompanied) to Yokota and Tachikawa frequently. Also spent time in nearby local community where there was a lake (large pond) with rowboats one could rent.
Aug 2015
I was there 59-63 but was very young. I was in Kindergarten there. Not many memories other than the pool, a playground and our maid. I remember our maid taking me with her when she went shopping. She would make me origami swans and have a bowl of rice for me when I got out of school.
My father was stationed at Tachikawa from 1961 to 1964. We lived in B wing on the side where part of C wing was missing.. Was there when there was a fire on the 3rd floor of B wing. I was there when they found a unexploded bomb behind F wing. Used the pool a lot. Snuck into the halls that were closed off down in the underground wings. A lot of stuff would be worth a lot of money. Zero parts since it was a factory during the war. To this day I still have a Japanese fighter pilots cloth helmet that I found in there. I was only 9 when I was there..
My father was stationed at Tachikawa from '61 to '63 or '64. We lived in D-308 in Green Park. At age 4, I attended a Japanese kindergarten school in Musashino. The following year I think I did the "American" kindergarten somewhere in the basement of Green Park. Then first grade somewhere out the back gate of Green Park. I think there was a round building near or on the way to that school (we walked) that was a dentist office. I remember the pool. And the unexploded bomb. And children's movies in the GP theatre on Saturday mornings. It was a different time and a great experience. I enjoyed Japan.
My father was stationed at Fuchu from May 1964 until December 1966. During that time our family (my older two sisters, mom and dad) lived at Green Park, in A-317, which was on the front of the facility 3rd floor top left. My father was a captain/major in the USAF during that time and was a pilot. I attended Kindergarten, first and part of second grade at the American school beyond the back gate. I remember my Kinder teacher's name was Mrs. Ghetti (sp?). I have fond memories of our time in Japan...especially at Green Park. I remember the beauty salon just inside the front lobby on the right. My mom, myself and my sisters frequented the salon! I do remember Saturday movies, which were 10 cents, popcorn 10 cents and a drink 5 cents...my 25 cent allowance always covered the movies! Although I was too young, my sisters used to go to the teen club on Friday nights while my parents socialized at the officer's club,. I remember there were slot machines in the bar. The officers and spouses (generally women at the time) spent many hours in the club. Charlie was the bartender...he and the club manager at the time Roy. I remember their names as our close GP friends had Green Park Reunions in Las Vegas at the Imperial Palace, during the early 1980s until 2000, and those two gentlemen would come to those reunions from Japan. We had a maid, Otake (I believe that was her last name), who I would go home with on the weekends into the small village, where I would spend time with her daughters, and I learned fluent Japanese at a young age. I also remember getting lost in the Tokyo train station with Otake, but was found fairly quickly as I was a red headed freckled face American child among thousands of Japanese people. Again, such fond memories from GP, and happy to find this blog. My best friend in GP was Valerie Perry, whom I have kept in contact with over the years. Sadly, my father passed away in January of 2014 at the age of 83...our whole family would agree GP was a very special place, and one we will never forget!
Green Park was just turned into Musashino Central Park. From Satellite view on Google Maps, it is a big green rectangle with soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts etc.
There are war memorial commemorative displays about the factory being bombed and the loss of life during that bombing raid. The park is designated as a Peace Memorial.
This is a link to the newspaper article about the event (a few weeks ago)
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180701/p2a/00m/0na/005000c
BTW I lived in Green Park during 1969-1971. I made a ton of money delivering groceries during Jr. High years. I used the money to buy my first electric guitar! (and amp)
My father was stationed at Tachikawa AFB from 1958 until 1961. We lived on the economy for the 1st year we were in Japan. I attended 1st grade at Tachi. We moved to Green Park on time for me to start 2nd grade(1959-60). I finished 3rd graduate GP. I remember judo classes, the swimming pool, the theater, and walking to school outside the complex. That was a lot of years ago.
I was a baby when we lived at Green Park. One to three years old. I remember swaying telephone poles and my au pair...Cheez-ko. (sp).
I lived at Green Park in 1953-54 and attended first grade there in the basement. My teacher was Ms. Fonteneaux? a very wonderful lady. I had a view of Mt.Fuji from my bedroom. Our maid Tokako was an amazing seamstress; my mother would show her a picture from a magazine, buy material and she would re-create the dress exactly. My father was stationed at Fuchu. Getting used to the tremors was easy for me, but my mother thought I was shaking the bed. We traveled all over sight-seeing and I have many pictures from the time. This was the first of many over-seas stations. I also spent many hours in the pool in the back.
My dad was stationed there from 63-66. I was only 5 months old when we arrived so I don't have any memories unfortunately. Lot's of pix though.
As Emperor Akihito abdicated today, those who lived at Green Park or attended school there may find this Pathe newsreel interesting. It captures the day in 1960 when he, then being the Crown Prince, visited the Green Park school with his new wife. I appear, along with lots of other kids, for a couple seconds in the film clip. My mother is the person in the news reel wearing the red cross nurse uniform. Many, many fond memories from the three years I lived there.
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/prince-akihito-visits-american-school-near-tokyo/query/akihito
We moved there in 1958 and left in 1961. My dad was in the Security Police. One of our maids was named Mieko. She used to house work with my infant brother strapped to her chest. I was aged 4 through 6 when we lived at Green Park. Just out of curiosity I google Green Park in Japan. A lot of my memories are jumbled but I do have a few great ones. My kinder teacher was Mrs Fountain. My brothers were 2 and 3 and we used to run wild in the halls especially on Saturday mornings. My dad actually got us three kids dog tags that we wore pretty much all the time so when we were picked up by the security police they would know who to call. One vivid memory was my mom getting a call from the commissary that was located in the basement. My two brothers had snuck into the commissary and were found eating some gram crackers that they had pilfered from a shelf. They knew who to call because of the dog tags we wore. My mom must have been pretty embarrassed because she sent me down to get them. I had money to pay for the crackers in one hand and 2 pair of underwear because my brothers frequently went commando.
Loved living at Green Park. I still remember it was '64, 65, 66. Loved the playground, pool, lived in building A 3rd floor, kindergarten down below front somewhere. Maid was maryamma..good times..didn't have a clue that my father was flying supplies into and out of Vietnam. He's still going thank God!
I was stationed at Fuchu 1965-67 as a comm/elec officer (and MARS & Security) right out of tech (Keesler AFB) . I loved Japan, skied (Shiga & Nagano) and traveled as often as possible. I lived in the BOQ until I married (on stateside leave, in late 1966) and moved to Green Park in 1967. I was only there a few months, before I was reassigned (kicking & screaming) to Hawaii, of all places! We lived in Ewa Beach, right on the beach, for about a year before I rotated out to go back to grad school. Many, many wonderful memories from both assignments!
I think Green Park was in Musashino.
I've been back to Japan only once, as a tourist (1985). Stayed with Japanese friends in Yokohama, and visited Shiga Hts and Nagano, but didn't get back to Fuchu. (Someday?!)
I've also successfully "toured" Fuchu AS via Google Earth or Google Maps Satellite View. Much subsequent development of much of the old base, but the 5 BOQ buildings at the back (north) are still very evident, though fenced off, abandoned, and covered with vines, greenery and moss. Spooky!
My dad was stationed at the AFB, we lived in B and C wings at different times. 1959 to 1964 I took Judo classes with Mr. Hondo. Great memories like the bug spray truck, swimming pool, trimers the stores in the basements and lots of other stuff. Attended the grade school out the back gate. Always wanted to go back to see Green Park again. My family had a house fire, we lost all records of our time there.
Michael...I lived there 2-1962 until 2-1962. I was 14 & had Great times there, with some Great friends.
I believe that parts of the former Fuchu AFB are being used for the Tokyo Olympics (bike racing?)
It is interesting to see how the footprint of the base was partitioned into different uses. I'm not certain, but from looking at Google Maps, it looks like the ASIJ school moved to the site of the former FUCHU HS and Jr Hi.
I'm just guessing, and don't know if this is at all factual.
I enjoyed my childhood there also 66 - 69
Some of my earliest and fondest memories were there. I’m guessing 62-63. Playing between the wings. Our maid Honako(sp). Boys day fish flying. The little toy shack just outside the housing area. Seeing Mt Fuji in the distance. Good times!
After reading this, I believe we were there about the same time. I remember the bomb, often traveled to Tokyo, rowed boats at the lake, went to karokoland many times (amusement park). My name is Jimmy Boyd. Was there 61. 62 63. 6th. 7th. 8th grade, chofu jr high
Wow! It is so awesome to read of other people who lived in Green Park! That is a part of history that will never be repeated so only a select few of us share that experience. I was there from around 1966 to 1970 and have such fond memories - the best memories of my childhood were from living in Japan. My sister Rosie and I had a piano teacher, Ms. Kimora I believe her name was. I remember the Christmas door decoration contests each year and I think my mother always won..I remember bits and pieces of things but all very positive. I really remember how delicious the food was and having yakisoba delivered to our apartment. To this day, my sister and I still refer noodle soup as Yakisoba.
I lived at Green Park, as my father was a Tsgt. In the Air Force. He worked Transportation Squadron, packing and crating. Liked living in that building. As I recall it like a little town all contained. Nothing major. Fun times with good friends. I can not remember the floor apartment numbers. I learned to swim there in that pool. I was just a kid, 8 or 9 years old. So my memory is a little sketchy. I remember outside the fence there was a vendor. He sold candy and other snacks. Then we move onto Tachikawa. AFB. Fond memories of Japan in general. Beautiful sunsets, and other scenery. Mt. Fuji is breathtaking. Thanks for the memories
Sorry, my name is Allen Wyman, I lived there 1963-1964, my father was Sgt. Raymond Wyman USAF
My name is S.M. Crutchfield. My family and I moved in to GP when it first opened in 1954. Thought I had moved into the Plaza Hotel. A big upgrade over what we had on the economy. My 5th grade class was in the living room of one of the apts. There was a 4th grade class in a bedroom. My friend and I would would catch a train to Tokyo by ourselves! Would play pachinko fill up on candy and catch the train back to GP. Before they had a school at GP we would take a school bus to Tachikawa. The bus was stopped at a rail crossing on May Day and a group of communists tried to turn the bus over. Military Police came to our rescue. Mostly good memories about Japan.
Our family moved into Green Park as temporary housing before getting permanent housing at Chofu. I have some good and some bad memories. I remember it was very hot and we had these government issue fans that did nothing to cool us off. We are from CA, but that Japanese heat hits different. I remember going down to basement-like area on bottom floor to do grocery shopping etc. Green Park was an entire city in a building. While reading this I just remembered that I did part of 6th grade there. I don't remember my teacher's name but I do remember she read us Roald Dalh books. This was the first time I heard James and the Giant Peach. This was 1970? 69 or 70.
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