History of Wake Island…
Controversy revolves around the tropical paradise of Wake Island, part of Eneen-Kio Atoll, the collection of three islands also known as Wake Atoll, located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The island is claimed by both the United States and the Marshall Islands. It is further claimed as an independent sovereignty in the name of the Kingdom of EnenKio.
The World Factbook, published by the CIA, states that the 2.5-square-mile Wake Island has no arable land, no crops, no forests or woodland, no indigenous inhabitants. The population consists (as of the latest record from January 2001) of only one US Army civilian and 123 civilian contractor personnel. The island is economically insignificant, as all food and manufactured goods must be imported. There is no domestic or international telephone system, no radio service, no television broadcasting. There isn’t even a harbor.
Despite its lack of agriculture or an economy, the island is rich in historical significance, warranting a lengthy and subsequently fascinating lesson on the history of Wake Atoll. According to Theodore Leverett’s history of the island on the Flags of the World website, “Wake Island was first discovered by the Spaniard Álvaro de Mendana in 1586, who named it San Francisco and claimed it in the name of the King of Spain. This claim was internationally recognized, the atoll being viewed as worthless… In 1796 the Englishman Captain Samuel Wake of the merchant vessel Prince William Henry rediscovered it. He gave the atoll its present name, also carried by its largest island… On December 20, 1840, the USS Vincennes brought the explorer Charles Wilkes and the naturalist Titian Peale to the island where they conducted a series of surveys and eventually lent their names to the other two islands of the atoll… During the Spanish-American War, an American troop convoy bound for the Philippines (then owned by Spain) stopped off at Wake. Major General Francis V. Greene hoisted the Stars and Stripes, then with 45 stars, there on July 4, 1898… The subsequent peace treaty which ended the war [with Spain] transferred Wake to the United States.”
For the record, the Treaty of Paris, ratified by officials from the United States of America and the Spanish Empire on December 10, 1898, relinquished all Spanish claim of sovereignty over and title to Cuba, Puerto Rico, the island of Guam in the Marianas, all islands in the West Indies, and all islands within approximately 116 degrees and 127 degrees longitude east of Greenwich near and including the Philippine Island archipelago. An amendment three years later added several additional islands located southwest of the island chain of Palawan that had been inadvertently left off the original treaty. No other specific islands or locations of any kind were mentioned. Wake Island did not fall within the boundaries of the treaty as it is located at 166 degrees of longitude east of Greenwich. This finding directly contradicts the common opinion that Wake Island was included in the spoils of war between the United States and Spain as shared by such historians as Stanley K. Schultz, Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin, but the language of the treaty is indisputable.
However the island was acquired, the US Navy recognized the potential of Wake as a military base and contributed both materially and financially to the construction of Pan American facilities. The historical recollections of the original Pan American World Airways and the newsletter of The Pan Am Historical Foundation quote the words of John G. Borger, the then 21-year-old Junior Assistant Engineer for the S.S. North Haven, regarding the initial construction of the airbase.
“On March 27, 1935, the S.S. North Haven embarked from San Francisco for Honolulu, Midway, Wake, Guam, and Manila, to prepare bases for Pan Am’s flying boats to cross the Pacific… Wake [Island] was totally uninhabited; all we had on it were a hydrographic chart with no detail, and an article in National Geographic magazine… We loaded into the ship 12 prefabricated buildings for Midway, and 12 for Wake. We loaded for each base two diesel engines to generate electricity, two windmills to pump water up and get water pressure, a Caterpillar tractor with interchangeable bulldozer blade and crane, and 4,000-gallon tanks for both aviation gas and water… On the deck we loaded two 38-foot power launches, one for Midway and one for Wake, and a 26-foot launch for Guam, intended for air-sea rescue…
Wake is made up of three islands. It’s true it was uninhabited except for birds; we had to wear hats. We’d planned to put the station on Wilkes Island, which is open to the sea, but the survey team found it was too low in the water. So was Wake Island. But Peale Island, on the far side of the lagoon, was okay. We unloaded the cargo into a storage yard on Wilkes Island, then built a 50-yard railroad (somebody by inspiration had brought light-gauge railroad track) to the lagoon. We put the small launch on a barge and, with the help of the tractor, we shoved it across the knee-deep channel between Wake and Wilkes. The launch towed the barges of cargo across the lagoon to Peale Island. Wake depended on rainfall for water, so we rigged canvases on the roofs, drained them into underground tanks, then pumped the water up to the windmills.
We had to clear the coral heads to provide a six-foot deep open landing area in the Wake lagoon for the M-130 to land. So we hung a length of a light-gauge railroad track six feet deep under a barge, and a launch towed the barge back and forth across the lagoon. When the track hit coral, it shook the barge, wakened the guy sleeping on it, and he threw a cork buoy with an anchor to mark the spot. Then Bill Mullahey and I, in a rowboat, rowed out to the buoys. Bill put on goggles he’d made out of bamboo, took a bamboo spear, and dove down and inspected the coral head… Bill surfaced and said, give me six, or eight, sticks of dynamite, dove back down and tied them to the coral. He resurfaced, I rowed us upwind as far as we could, and he pressed a magneto button and blew up the coral. We rowed back, picked up the fish the blast had killed, and brought them back for dinner. We did this [until] we cleared a pie-shaped landing area [where we] built a 400-foot dock.”
After the completion of the airbase and a 48-room hotel, Wake Island became one of the stopping points on regular Pan American flights for servicing and refueling of the famous “Pan Am Clippers”, four-engined flying boats. Pan American published a 24-page brochure in 1937 to promote the transpacific China Clipper service from San Francisco to Hawaii, Midway Island, Wake Island, Guam, Manila, and its final destination of Hong Kong.
“A tiny pinpoint on the vast Pacific’s map - five thousand miles from America’s mainland. A land unheard of until a few years ago - uninhabited, until the coming of the airway pioneers - became the scene of one of the most dramatic struggles in the history of American transportation. Here hardship, toil and thrilling courage overcame tremendous odds to set in final place four thousand tons of materials. Scarcely eight hours from Midway - another change in time - you are ashore in the early afternoon and the island is yours to explore… Down paths lined with magnolia are living quarters for the base staff, the power plant, the big refrigerators, a little hospital, a pergola where you will find an unusual collection of the little atoll’s lore - bits from ancient sailing craft that came to grief on the treacherous reefs that so effectively shelter the lagoon’s water for the flying clipper ships; heaps of coral in fantastic designs; sea shells of every form. Along the arcs of glistening beach you can find all these for yourself - and perhaps a dozen little hollow balls of glass - floats from Japanese fishing nets that have drifted half way across the Pacific…
Wake Island, so newly added to the world’s travel map, is already becoming a favorite vacation spot for travel-wise voyageurs. A beautiful, unspoiled land a world away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. A land reserved to those who fly, where every comfort and convenience, excellent food and expert attention are as much a part of your stay as the breath-taking sunsets, the soft thundering of the sea and its magnificent thirty-foot surf. Not soon can one forget these rainbow waters, soft deep sands, the friendly sun, the cool sweet trade winds blown from across the broadest sea.”
James W. Wensyel, in his article titled Odyssey Of The Wake Island Prisoners, states that the US Navy never lost sight of Wake Island’s military potential and turned the commercial airfield into a full-fledged defensive fortification, complete with 449 Marines, 71 Naval personnel, 5 Army radio operators, and 12 fixed-wing Grumman F4F-3 Wildcats fighter planes, all under the overall command of Commander Winfield S. Cunningham.
“War with Japan was imminent, and an airstrip on Wake, about 2,000 miles west of Hawaii, would allow American heavy bombers to strike the Japanese-controlled Marshall Islands. And, if Guam were lost to the Japanese, Wake would be one of the closest American outposts to the Japanese mainland… [Early on the morning of December 8, 1941,] at 8:50 the Marines raised the American flag on its staff, something Marines did every morning all over the world… Not long after the flag raising, 36 Japanese Mitsubishi G3M2 Nell bombers crossed Wake in three V-formations. Soon their fragmentation bombs, accompanied by a steady drumming of machine-gun fire, tore the island to pieces… Japanese land-based aircraft from Roi in the Marshalls, later joined by aircraft from approaching Japanese carriers, pounded the atoll day after day. Before each attack, a dwindling number of American Wildcat fighters rose to meet them.
At 3 a.m. on December 11, a Japanese invasion task force commanded by Rear Adm. Sadamichi Kajioka, consisting of a light cruiser, six destroyers, two troop carriers and two armed merchantmen, confidently approached Wake’s beaches. Marine gunners let them close to 4,500 yards before their 5-inch naval guns opened fire. Their patience was rewarded with the sinking of one Japanese destroyer and damaging of the cruiser and three additional destroyers.
Kajioka retreated, now knowing that Wake would not be taken without a fight. By the 21st, the last of the Wildcats had been destroyed in dogfights over the atoll… Japanese airplanes now roamed over the island at will, pounding American positions in preparation for a renewed attempt to seize the atoll. In the dark, rain-swept early morning hours of December 23rd, Kajioka returned, his fleet bolstered by four heavy cruisers and various other warships, including landing craft, to assault Wake’s beaches with more than 900 well-trained infantrymen of the Special Naval Landing Force. At 2:35 a.m., the first Japanese landing barge ground ashore.
Soon a desperate battle was being fought across the atoll between groups of men fighting with rifles, bayonets, grenades and fists. The Americans fought hard, but more Japanese landed and pushed them toward the island’s center… Reports from the three islands were discouraging; there were simply too many Japanese and too few Americans… Cunningham, as the ranking officer, made the inevitable decision to surrender… Stunned defenders threw away rifle bolts, destroyed delicate range-finding instruments, drained hydraulic fluid from recoil cylinders and then surrendered. Eighty-one Marines, eight sailors and 82 civilian construction workers had been killed or wounded. The Japanese, however, paid a heavy price for their victory. The fight for Wake Island had cost them two destroyers and one submarine sunk, seven additional ships damaged, 21 aircraft shot down and almost 1,000 men killed.
Enraged by their losses, the Japanese treated their prisoners–military and civilian–brutally. Some were stripped naked, others to their underwear. Most had their hands tied behind their backs with telephone wire, with a second wire looped tightly from their necks to their wrists so that if they lowered their arms they would strangle themselves… The prisoners were then jammed into two suffocating concrete ammunition bunkers. Later they were herded to the airstrip and made to sit, naked, on the blistering hot concrete. When the Japanese set up machine guns nearby, most of the prisoners expected to be executed. That night, bone-chilling winds replaced the heat. The prisoners sat there, still waiting for food, water or medical treatment. The unfortunate prisoners remained sitting on the airstrip for two days. Finally, they were given food, much of it spoiled by the heat, and water, contaminated from being placed in unclean gasoline drums. Piles of assorted clothing seized earlier were placed before them… After returning his prisoners’ clothes, Kajioka, resplendent in white dress uniform and gleaming samurai sword, read a proclamation to the assembled prisoners. When he concluded, a Japanese interpreter informed the Americans that ‘the Emperor has graciously presented you with your lives.’”
The defense of Wake was testimony to the valor and professionalism of the Marine garrison and its officers, December 11th being the only successful thwarting of an attempted amphibious landing by enemy forces in the Pacific throughout the war. The tale of the heroic battle for Wake Island inspired American soldiers worldwide. Almost four long years later, World War II ended, the prisoners were released, and control of the island was returned to the United States by the Japanese.
After a 7000-foot runway was paved over the existing coral runway in 1949, the island base also played a key role as a refueling stop for aircraft during the Korean War. And, as a result of the foresighted runway lengthening in 1959 to 9800 feet, the island was able to participate in Desert Storm in 1991, once again as a fueling station. Today, the former commercial airbase is used primarily by the US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command and for emergency landings of trans-Pacific flights. There are over 700 landings a year on the island.
An understanding of the history of Wake Island is fundamental for understanding the claims made by the Marshall Islands and the Kingdom of EnenKio.
I enjoyed your information on Wake Island… I met my wife there in 1986, we were on a flight crew for the Ohio Air National Guard (kc135) and spent 2 weeks on the island for our summer training. Still have fond memories of the island. Thanks Richard
Any chance of the government opening up Wake Island for domestic travel? [Unlikely any time soon. - RDL]
Again, a great article. I’m a KC135R crew chief. I’ve had the pleasure of dropping in on Wake several times. We stayed there for a week waiting for parts to fix Marine jets we were dragging across the pond. I made the dumb Air Force guy mistake of wearing my ballcap in the small club the first night. $55.00 dollars later the bar was drinking cans of Bud on me!! If you are ever in there look for a white Nike cap with a blue bill with my crew’s name written all over it hanging over the left side of the bar. Thanks for the great times though Wake, Dean
Very good history of the island.. One item that you should have mentioned is that the Japanese Forces kept 98 civilian prisoners on the island as forced labor to rebuild the destroyed airstrip and shot them all in 1943,the Japanese commandert of the forces was executed at Kwajalein for this atrocity. My Father, Archie H. Pratt was one of the 98 civilian prisoners killed. There is a monument to this men, called Prisoners Rock, a large coral boulder at tyhewaters edge that one of the prisoners carved ” 98 POW Oct 13 1943, which is the date they were killed., again, a fine history. TERRY
An excellent history, and I commend your thoroughness in unearthing the earlier history of Wake. The island did play several roles during the War in Vietnam, the last of which was to provide a refugee camp during 1975. My web site contains many pictures of the island and its refugees during that time and I hope you get a chance to pay it a visit. Good work!
I was on the same flight to Wake as Richard Baas was in ‘86…Hi Richard! Came down with pneumonia and stayed a few days in the tiny hospital there. Wake was a beautiful place. Walking along and seeing the remnants the war left behind; POW rock, the japanese gun, the pill boxes and the military/civilian memorials…one could not help but feel the spirits of those lost on the island. I hope to be able to go back someday.
Hi Kathy! Richard Baas
During the summer of 1968, I worked for Mid-Pac Operations as an aircraft refueler on Wake Island. Wake Island was a major refueling point for air traffic going from the West Coast to Viet Nam. If I recall correctly, we serviced something like 30 C-141s, 8 C-130s, 6 C-124s each day, plus frequent charter DC-8s hauling troops, and a twice a week stopover by Pan Am flights 841/842, which offered scheduled airline serivce to the island. In 1968, the island was administered by the FAA and had a permanent population of close to 1000 people. These included FAA, USAF, Coast Guard, US civilian contractor personnel, and a large contingent of Philipino nationals working for FMC Corporation. Facilities included the FAA commissary, a branch of the Bank of Hawaii, four bars (Pan Am Club, FAA, Air Force, and the bowling alley) and two outdoor movie theatres. A 10 watt AM radio station provided music and news to inhabitants within its range (extremely limited: wouldn’t reach the far end of the runway). I’m interested in trading information and pictures with others with others with Wake Island experience.
Two comments: 1) The nose cowling of a Grumman F4F “Wildcat” fighter of VMF-211 (not VMF-221) was salvaged from Wake in 1959 and is now on a F4F in the Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. 2) Read Professor Gregory J. W. Urwin’s monumental and extremely detailed account of the battle for Wake Island titled: “Facing Fearful Odds: The Seige of Wake Island” published in 1997 by the University of Nebraska Press. This accounting was Professor Urwin’s thesis when he was a doctoral candidate at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Urwin is now a professor of history at Temple University, Philadelphia.
I live on the Oregon coast and found a glass float its got Wake Island engraved on it and the date 8-3-54 with the name steven R. Goodson thought it might be interesting to post it on this web site, after reading about Wake Island it was probably put in the ocean by a member of the military
Have you tried searching the web for a “Steven R Goodson” to see if you might find him? Could make for a good story if you could!
A quick Google finds one hit for “Steven R Goodson” at http://www.prayeroutreach.com/military_marines.htm:
Although, if he’s waiting for deployment now, he’s probably too young to have been on Wake in ‘54.
my name is jim kocher i was working as the personnel support services manager on the island from 1991 -92 and the tractor that you mentioned they used to build the pan am facility it is now in the lagoon about 15 ft and surprisingly it’s in tact. had a great time on the island and hopefully i can go back for a few days
Memories of Wake. I spent 1957-58 there with good old Transocean Airlines. The Suwa Maru was still beached, no law on the island which at that time was run by the FAA. The three users were Pan American, Transocean and Southern Air Transport. Back then the Island had a one room library with the most popular book a diary that had been kept by a Japanse soldier. He described the conditions as they deteriorated, the birds had gone, the fish were gone due to the bombings and starvation faced the Japanese garrison, and starve they did. Although the island was blockaded by American submarines, the Suwa Maru was able to make it through and beach itself to the joy of the island defenders. From what I understand, the ship didn’t contain the expected food and arms, but had a load of cement. Interesting web site.
I worked at Wake 59-62 for Transocean, M&T, FMC, worked for Jim Pierce, Stu Brown, Lucky Aiello, Deacon Hedrick, OOF,(he was married on the island way back when). I worked with Jerry Baranow later at Tachikawa Field on the 124 IRAN,62-63 for Mike Trigo, Jerry Cornwell, et al. Jeez, where have the years gone!! Left there almost 42 years ago but the memories are still vivid, it was a wonderful experience for a young man just starting out in aviation, remember the Hunter brothers? Lots of good memories of a lot of nice guys from that time.I have a lamp I made from a fire hose fitting I found on the reef in front of the Suwa Maru sitting along side me as I write, still have a couple of data plates from the Japanese landing craft that were wrecked west of the Suwa Maru adjacent to the curve in the road at the end of the runway. Does anyone remember Dennis Everton? Another good guy. Whatever became of Amy? Most enjoyable site, glad I found it.
I was on Wake last month in Nov. It’s still as nice as you remember it. Major doings there…the runway is being repaved, so only c-130 can now land on the taxiway, the harbor has been refitted with steel pilings, the avi-fuel tanks repaired. A lot of money flowing into Wake infrastructure now, as Johnston Atoll is closing to flights. Wake wildlife is also flourishing with rat and cat control. But the biggest news to share is that the Peale Island bridge burned to the waterline on Dec. 2. Seems that someone left a cigarette butt on the wooden bridge and it didn’t rain that night. Costs to rebuild are around 3 million so it may remain down for the near term. Interesting website. Thanks, Mark rauzon
This is a great synopsis of Wake very colorful history. I was one of the few kids who had the unique opportunity of growing up on Wake Island back in the 60’s and early 70’s. Besides the historical importance of the Island, there was also a very unique community that thrived there from the late 40’s till the early 70’s. I’ve been publishing a quasi-quarterly newsletter for the last 12 years that has over 200 subscribers of former Wake Island former residents and those with special ties to the island. In addition, I’ve organized quite a few Wake Island reunions in those last 12 years bringing together former Islanders who have renewed old friendships and found new ones as well. I am in the process of organizing another Reunion in 2005. If you’re interested in more information, feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from any former Wake Islanders.
I have come across some rare footage of wake Island hidden in some holiday film. We have veiwed the film which is of high colour quality, and with a professional touch to it the film is dated.1960’s the camera man was a pilot, or a navigator.BREIF DESCRIPTION 8ML, colour film not to sure about sound, duration of the film is about twenty minutes, beautiful aerial shots of wake island from the cockpit, shots of major gun placements and bunkers, etc, aircraft wreckage, and the japanese war ship in the sea and the salvage ship coming in to collect the wreckage. Basically telling you the story of the island. Just a nice piece of history.
Doing some research, I came across your site. I spent the 1976-77 season at the USCG LORAN Station on lovely Wake as the Engineering Petty Officer. While considered isolated duty for the 9 of us on Peale Island, it goes down as one of the best tours I had in 20 years in the Coast Guard. It had a great mix of folks (USCG, USAF, RAF, NOAA, American contractors, & about 150 Philipino nationals as support personnel), a phenomenal lagoon, great beach combing, and tranquility - a Jimmy Buffet paradise (with no fresh water). Nice synopsis.
Hi. My husband, Chris’, father was caught on Wake Island before WWII and spent four years in a prison of war camp. Chris has always wanted to visit Wake Island. I was thinking of taking him to Hawaii with a side trip to Wake Island. Is that feasible? Any suggestions?
Enjoyed comments about Wake Island very much. My father was a member of Pan Am’s 2nd Expedition on the S.S. North Haven to Wake Island - to build the hotel. He was on the island from Feb. 6- May 14, 1936, and returned in late 1936. I have his journal, which describes unloading the ship, getting supplies to the island over the reef, blasting the coral, the gorgeous sunsets, the rats, hermit crabs, love birds, and sharks, and lastly, the beautiful China Clipper. In 1965, I stopped at Wake enroute to Guam on Pan Am, and would like to return, now that I have a better sense of the island’s history and my father’s role in it. I appreciate all the comments. Carol NIckisher
Excellent overview of Wake Island history. I was on Wake for 9 months in 1991 and again for 11 months in 1996-97. Both times on construction contracts. It is my favorite place out of the world. The island is beautiful and the scuba diving is fantastic. It is the best kept secret in the pacific and is closed to travel except with military orders. There are about 130 personnel on the island last I heard. Most are Thai nationals(workforce) some USAF, NOAA and civilian contractors.
I spent two months on Wake in 1966 as a customer service rep for Pan Am. We assisted in the handling of troops on the way to Vietnam and civilian flights stopping for fuel on westbound trips ( especially JAL). Also greeted the crews on the oil spurting DC6 & 7 cargo flights i.e. Slick Airways, Riddle, ONA, Capital. The mess hall , staffed by those wonderful Phillpino crew, offered up some great food. Our laundry of course was stiff from the brackish water. Great memories of the water sports in lagoon off beach on Peale. Pan Am bar was an oasis. Some civilian workers had assembled a small single engine airplane and flipped it over taxiing behind a military cargo plane. Someone gave me a book on aerodynamics to read and it lead to a 24 year career as a commercial pilot.
anyone know how to find out a list of the decesed from the war on wake island, i seen a program on a&e their wase a memorial with my last name, i would like to reserch it. thank you.
I have enjoyed the history on Wake Island! I lived on Wake Island from 1965-1969. My father was the Station Manager for FMC. (Bud Dreyer) What a great place to grow up. I have many memories of the historical sites. I would love any photos anyone may have.
Great postings. My family spent three tours on Wake for Pan American. My father, Jerry Burris, was the Comissary Supervisor. There are six kids in our family and we had a great time growing up on Wake. I love reading other folk’s memories. For us kids it was just a playground. Spearfishing, watersking behind the PAA boat, “boondocking” and surfing on our Paipo boards “down in front”. And who can forget the shear joy of a good movie at the “Windy Palace” sitting on those hard benches drinking an Upper 10 and eating a Hearshey bar. Ahhh……
My dad, Larry Bloomquist, was with the FAA and my family lived there from 67 until we were flown to Hawaii after Typhoon Sarah. That was quite a scary thing to live through!! My brothers, Larry & Chuck still talk about our experiences there.. shelling w/ our mom when the tide was out and being stalked by a huge eel, getting autographs from Phyllis Diller and Bob Hope when they came through, sea slug fights (gag!) hermit crabs, swimming in the lagoon, looking for glass balls, having feet tough as shoe leather from going barefoot on the coral. Of course those movies at the Windy Palace, and missing Dr Pepper terribly since we didn’t have that luxury on Wake. And we were always on the lookout for that live ammo we were warned not to touch!! For us kids, it was a wonderful adventure. It’s awesome to know others have fond memories of Wake, also.
Hi, I am currently on Wake Island.
hi i ve been on wake island on 1998 january right after the el nino storms and i arrived there with a cargo ship(45000 dwt)not by an airplane like others.but we couldnt berth as u know its very small island and no harbour.we were in a dangerous situation as our ship was taking water inside due to storms that we faced in north pacific.us coast guard helped us to repair our ship.and i landed on the island just for one day but was magnificient i still miss it.it gives u the idea about the meaning of life.thanks
Thanks for the informative article on Wake Island. I had two great-uncles that were civilians who worked on the airstrip before Wake Island was captured by the Japanese. One of them, Jack Fenex, was among the 98 civilians killed. My other great-uncle, Elmer or “Whitey” Christler was a prisoner-of-war for 4 years. Any info on contacting other survivors? My great-uncle died in 1979, but he holds a treasured place in our family history.
I spent 11 months in Wake Island as a US Coast Guard member. I was there from September 1975 to August 1976. During my time there I was able to walk throughout the island collecting stuff. I found in Peale Island a helmet of a WWII Marine. That helmet has been in my possesion all these years and recently I’ve been thinking about donating it to the D Day Museum here in New Orleans. I have not made up my mind about it. If there is someone out there that is a relative of someone that fought in Wake Island I would gladly let that person have the helmet. I do apologize to all WWII vets for taking something that I shouldn’t have taken.
I am the President and CEO of the company that has the current contract for operations at Wake Island. I spent 5 years on the island myself from 82-87 in positions from engineering to Site Manager and have been involved in every Base Support contract since then. Glad to see this website as obviously Wake is still a special place for me. I get back to the island at least once a year and look forward to it every time. I have or have access to lots of photos and videos from Wake and contact information for some of the associations representing the survivors and/ or defenders of Wake. Thanks!
Barney, I would like to get in touch with you to discuss Wake Island with you. I am organizing a Wake Island reunion next year in Hawaii and would like more information on the current status of the Island. Unfortunately, your email isn’t working, so I’m hoping you read this. Thanks.
Please let me know info about Wake Island reunion! That would be great!
Greetings, I collect postcards and I would like to hear from anyone who live’s or will be visiting Wake Island, who would be willing to send me new postcards of Wake Island. Thank you. Mike
My father was on Wake Island for ten months in 1936 - constructing the air base for Pan AMerican. He was twenty years old. He kept a journal and wrote my mother all about what he was doing. It was hard work, loneliness, isolation - but he said he had a great time. It’s also a great story. He took 200 photos of the work done on the island. I want to write his story.I’d like to know what the interest is out there in buying my book? My father is now 89 years old. He must be the last survivor of the second North Haven expedition to Wake. My book is my gift to him. Carol Nickisher
I am a stockbroker and travel agent. I also belong to the Travelers Century Club. I would like to know if there is any way the public can visit Midway or Wake Islands on their own or with atour. Thanks
Enjoyed your history of Wake. I was on the island from May of 1966 through January of 1967. Similar to the postings above, I had good memories of Wake. Drifters Reef, the bowling alley and of course the radio station KEAD, the Voice of Wake Island. I had a radio program there “Gentleman Jim” from midnight to 0300. I too remember typhoon Opal and the wreck of the R.C. Stoner that spilled gasoline and JP4 all over the island,as well as typhoon Sarah that devastated the island. I was on Wilkes Island in a small concrete building the entire time. It was indeed scary. After they took the civilians off the island there wasn’t too many of us left, until most returned around Thanksgiving. Thanks for the web site. Good memories. jimcox
I recall wake island was used as staging point for vietamese refugees who were evacuated from Saigon in April of 1975. I was a 1st Lt. Air Force Nurse serving with 356th tactical field hospital for 45 days on wake island for operation newlife. Refugees were sent on to USA after they were staged at Wake. jerry
I enjoyed your history. I spent over four years of my childhood on Wake Island (1958-1963). My father worked for the FAA, which had a large community on the island centered around the Wake Island school. I believe that most of the FAA employees were from Hawaii. Even this many years later I feel a deep attachment to the island; I think anyone who lived there as a child must feel the same way.
From 1965/1972 i was a flt. eng. on a c124c we had to stop at wake on our way to vietnam. i always enjoyed wake esp. drifters reef. i still have a large postcard of it. what a great place to relax after a long flt. in a shakey”. my last flt. to wake was in 1972 when i got to the drifters reef i saw a prop. off a ww2 acft. leaning on the back of drifters reef. and the more beer i drank the more i wanted that prop. it belonged to some maj. that was stat. there he found in the lagoon a few days earlery. and was about as drunk as i was. the deal was made.its been in my back yard by the pool side.its got jap. markings on it. anyway thats my story and i thank about wake a lot and my times at drifters reef.
i want to go there. any chance of it? anyone know how i can get there. what a historically significant place.
For L.Boos; I would give a years salary to have a beer in the “Drifters’ Reef like it was in 1970. Of course Lady Bird Johnson’s F.M.C. tore it down and rebuilt it as a cinder block air conditioned “wantabe”. Thanks for the memories.
Salt spray. Roar and hiss and vibration of the surf. Whistling winds [hear the voices of the ghosts?] Turquoise lagoon, coral rubble, white surf, “Scaviola” trees with soft downy silvery leaves, and nothing but the sky. The deep water behind the surf so deep blue you think it must stain your hand, but it is clear as glass. Hermit crabs scavenging. Trees twisted and dwarfed by countless storms. Someone made delicious black looking honey. Potlucks. Old jeeps with wooden parts. Crumbling bunkers and caved-in trenches. Ever more old grenades and bullets washing up on the beach. In knee-deep water shark fins between you and the shore. Looking for sharks and being found by too many….”Big Pete” the barracuda peeking from behind the rocks, electric blue tiny fish darting into the coral. Petting a huge grouper on the nose. Two manta rays gliding majestically in formation. The unearthly red sunset and the smell when the plane crashed. The shreek of typhoon Sarah and the sound of the tarpaper ripping off the roof. The silence of the passing eye letting the deep roar of the ocean be heard. And of course, the Windy Palace. No-where are the stars so close or so many.
I first saw Wake Island in 1980 as a young Marine Sgt. on an overnight stopover on a C-130 flight from Hawaii to Okinawa. Over the years since then I’ve been able to visit many times and never stop discovering something new. My last visit was in November 2003 during a time of high winds and water that saw the “beach” at the steps of the barracks. The water ripping through the lagoon and under the bridge uncovered lots of trash from the war years including a stripper clip with bullets for a Japanese rifle. For those of you who have a connection to Wake from the war years, there are special trips for reunions and such that the Air Forse puts on from time to time. I’ve been there when Vets, both US and Japanese, have been visiting. I don’t have details of how to do it but that Congressman of yours has a staff who find these things out.
I am currently organizing a Wake Island Reunion for all former Wake Island “residents” and “transits” who hold a special place in their memories of that Island. It will be held at the Pacific Beach Hotel on July 21-24, 2005. These reunions are well attended by former Wake Islanders, and this one promises to be just as exciting. Feel free to email me for more information. I am also in the process of trying to get a trip back to Wake Island around the time of the reunion. If anyone would like to help me in making this a reality, please contact me. As mentioned in an earlier post, I grew up on Wake during the 60’s and early 70’s, so it holds a very special place in my heart… ahhh, the memories!!
Thank you for your spread on Wake Island. I remember the island vividly as it was a stop by Pan American airlines taking us troops to parts of the world we didn’t want to go. It was May and very hot undeed. We stopped to refuel and then on our way. I recall a sunken vessel at the end of the runway as we departed. What impressed me the most, however, was the savage fighting that took place for such a tiny piece of land. I suppose it has ment more over the years as we were headed for a similar war in Southeast Asia. It was the last piece of land I sat foot on for 13 months that was not hostile.
My dad was an FAA firefighter and was stationed in Wake back in 1970. My brother, sister and I attended the tiny elementary school at Wake Island until we had to leave in 1972. We have such fond memories of Bob Hope, finding glass floaters along the beach, the island wide easter egg hunts, the open movie theater, swimming at Drifter’s, birthday parties and bbq’s at Playboy beach. The memories are endless. My dad (Iosefo Suafoa) recently passed away in November ‘04. This walk down memory is a special treat. Thank you so much for that!
I am a former Islander, my time on Wake was from 1959 until 1965. My father worked for the Weather Burea. I have two sisters and a brother, we all attended school on Wake. I’m interested in the reunion. stay in touch Donald Hopp
this is gay.
Thanks, Anonymous! What a fitting 1000th non-Ashamed Panties milestone comment! Thank you so much for leaving such a valuable and insightful comment, evidence of the superior intellect fostered by the Wayne County, Michigan school district!
Great site. I am researching the island as I will soon be working there and trying to find as much about the history and island that I can. Hopefully I will be able to add my own memories to the site.
My book on my father’s adventures on Wake and Midway Islands in 1935, building air bases for Pan American Airways will be published this summer. The title is “Riding the Reef.” The publisher is Paladwr Press. It’s a unique first person account of an historic event. While I am biased - because the protagonist was my handsome father, I think it’s a great read! It has many never-before- published photograhs of Wake Island. Carol Nickisher nickisherc@aol.com
Thanks so much for the great information; I really enjoyed reading through everyone’s memories of Wake Island! My father, Tom Flowers, lived on the island for a short time in the late ’60s since my grandfather was working there for the FAA. He never told me much about it–I only found out he lived there after I came across an old picture of him as a boy, standing on the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen! I’m so glad I came across this site, it’s been a joy to read everyone’s stories :o)
I lived on Wake on four separate occasions, starting in 1949 when I was a baby and ending in a six month stint with Mid-Pac as a rampman in 1969. I have several distinctions as a former Wakian, my younger brother Michael was the first ever Pan Am baby born on the Island, I was held by Truman as an infant when he came to fire Macarthur, and finally , I was president of the ninth grade graduating class of 1962. Anytime I meet someone who has ever been to Wake it forms a bond. Great site. Tony Burris.
Just finished producing a documentary about the civilian construction men and their role in Wake Island defense during WWII. Appreciate site links, I’ll reciprocate.
Was with FAA in Pacific Region from 1966 to 1977 & went thru Wake. Would particularly like to contact ex-FAA Wake Denny Cleveland & other FAA types that may have been at Guam CERAP. Thanks.
Working at Wake since 1996 off and on, I obtained a “passport” stamp, a non-official thing, but a nice momento. Once while passing through Honolulu customs, the agent saw the stamp and commented. “That’s the place where the psychological warfare testing took place.” Since it was 0500 and I was half asleep, I failed to ask what he meant. Is there anyone out there who can fill me in on what this agent was possibly referring to?
Just read the 3-14-05 comments by a Mr. Bill Kauffman in which he mentions that he just finished a documentary about civilians on Wake. I would like more info on that movie as my father was a civilian worker on Wake Island 12-7-41. Tried the links but they did not work. Any one help? Thanks. Glenn Hoffman
Hi My name is Jesse Stewart. Im 35 and live in Connecticut. I was reading up on Wake Island becuase I was watching the History Channel and they had a program on about Wake Island. I found your web site with a yahoo search and I didn’t know that Wake Island had such a inpacked on so many lives. Thank you makeing a web site that people can post on becuase you can find out alot more about the Island by hearing there storys.
I was wondering if there is a way to locate information on an uncle by the name of Willian Rollin Manson, that died on Wake Island? Please Help, Thank You.
To: Deborah Manson, For your information, your uncle is not listed as one of the 98 civilian prisoners the Japanese kept on the island and later executed. The organization “Survivors of Wake-Guam-Cavite” disbanded about a year ago.They were based in Boise, Idaho, where quite a few survivors live. The secretary of the organization was , for many years, June Faubion. Her phone was 208-321-1177. Don’t know if she can help you but it may be worth trying. By the way, have you read Gregory J. W. Urwin’s book “Facing Fearful Odds”. It gives a good picture of what they went through. Good luck, Glenn Hoffman
The civilian survivors organization is still alive. They have a new website under construction at http://www.wakeislandcsa.com June is still involved as are many of the survivors and their families. They are holding their annual reunion in Boise in September. The information will be on the website. Everyone interested is encouraged to attend.
I spent the summer of ‘59 on Wake with my aunt and uncle (Walt Erwin) he was a meteorologist and he got me job with the folks extending the air strip. It was one of the most memorable experiences I have had in my life. Met a great guy named Sonny Chang (I think his dad was a contracted engineer with the gov.) I have lots of great pictures of the lagoon, guns, bunkers etc.
I vistied wake in 1998 while on active duty in the Marine Corps. My F/A-18 squadron stopped over for a day of crew rest on our way back to Miramar, California from 6 months in Japan. I cannot believe the beauty of island and would love to go back as a civilian worker. The snorkeling was great, the beaches beautiful, the climate amazing and you can not beat the .50 beer and 1.00 mixed drink prices! Phinz Up Wake!!
I would appreciate information if crusing yachts are welcomed at Wake. Also, can a crusing yacht with six-foot draft get into the lagoon? Thanks.
I was a c124 flt. eng. in the 60 and 70s we use to crew rest at wake[had to] i spent one Christmas there in 69. and remember riding on the crew bus going to the trans, qtr,s from the acft. and how quiet it was on the bus when we saw the christmas lights and trees that people had in front of there quarters. it was a strange feeling. but a good one…L Boos in GA>
ole shakey flt. eng. 64-72 Any one remember going into the chow hall and as soon as you opened the door the large fan came on and when the door was closed the fan went off? it was to keep the flys out of the chow hall, how in the hëll did the flys find there way to wake??? even with our state of the art 20th century POS N one compass we had on the c-124s, most of the time we were at an hour late,,OR i could have just had a hangover most of the time, I dont remember, any way MAX. Power..GO…Dont forget MAG DROP CHARLIE,,L. Boos..lboos1@yahoo.com
My family lived on Wake in 1955 and I attended first grade at the tiny school. My dad was with the CAA (now FAA) detachment, most of the folks there were either CAA or PanAm employees. My memories are about wandering the shore and exploring the tide pools, swimming and fishing at the Peale Island bridge and the outdoor movies. Also, the periodic invasion of the sand crabs. I’m sure it was a tedious and boring existence to my parents, but my older sister and I had a great time.
I would like to find the name and background on the oil tanker that when aground in 1966 0r 1967. I was on the USS Wandank who tried to tow her off the reef Thank You
I was watching History Chanel and my God. What a sad situation that was. There is no excuse for those animals the japs that is. No one should ever forget! Our Guys were Horoes! I am Proud of them and God rest there souls! Yea Harry Truman. The buck stopes there!
My dad was Island comander 1962-64 and was able to have his family on the island. My parents are in their 80’s and the “kids” are in their 50’s but Wake still has special meaning to us as a special place and time. We have often talked of going back. Is it possible? I know no commercial flights but are private boats or airplane’s allowed? I will mark this as one of my favorites and check back from time to time. regards, Bill MacMinn
Peale Island was named for my G-G-G Grandfather, Titian Ramsay Peale,a member of the first US exploration expedition in the Pacific. They had reached Antartica south of New Zealand, fought cannibals in Fiji before arriving @ Wake. While surveying the US Pacific coast, providing most of the names in Puget Sound, TRP’s ship “Peacock” was shipwrecked at the mouth of the Columbia River. They had to hike overland from Ft Vancouver to Sutter’s Mill in Mexican California. I had several occasions to overnight on Wake while flying KC-97’s to Kadena. Also made several fuel stops (707) flying MAC Viet Nam airlift with AMR. I still remember the Clipper lagoon, the jap ship, rusted guns, the bridge, and best of all the club which I think included a bowling alley
Nice site. I’m enjoying the many comment’s about Wake. Stopped off there many times as a USAF C-118 crewmember in the early 70’s. Always enjoyed the climate, the quarters and the watering hole, Drifters Reef. I actually stayed there for a couple of weeks waiting an engine to be flown in from Honolulu once. That was tooo long.
I lived on Wake Island from 1968 to 1970. I started first grade there and Mrs. Suizo was my first grade teacher My father, Fred Dyba, worked for the FAA for those years and even though I was small have vivid memories of Wake. We drove a jeep that the breaks were bad on and I remember actually running into the bowling alley and commissary(on 2 different occasions). We lived on the beach and have many glass balls and glass “rolling pins” we’ve saved. Is there any way a civilian can get to the Island for a few days? Thank You, Brian Dyba
I’ve just published a book about Wake Island! My father worked on the island (and Midway, as well)- building air bases and hotels for Pan American in 1936 - for the first trans-Pacific flights. He kept a journal, wrote letters to my mother, with whom he was in love, and took 200 rare photos. I compiled these into a book, and added my own research - and the perspective of a daughter. The result is a great adventure, and a romance that lasted a lifetime. My parents were married for 67 years. It’s a personal glimpse into the most romantic era of aviation - the era of the China Clipper - and into Wake Island before it was turned into a missile base. It’s got sharks, 30′ waves, and a daring young man who earned the nickname, Tarzan, King of Wake Island. If interested, contact me for an autographed copy. Don’t miss this one. There’s already a movie star interested in this story. Honest! Carol Nickisher
Excellent Site - before I was stationed here I got some ofthe best information about the history from here. Currently I am on Wake and developing a website for what we do and things to enjoy when here. If you have historical information for the history page or photos please let me know. Allen Woffard, OIC Peace Officer Wake Island Airfield Wake Island, Mid Pacific 96898
My Father, Winfield “Dutch” Graves was a civilian iron worker working on Wake Island when it was invaded by the Japanese. He did not talk about the horrible things that he and the other prisoners (civilian and military personnel) were made to endure. I have learned since his death in 1986 just how horrible it was for them. They were treated worse than animals while imprisoned and forced to work for the Japanese as slave labor. We (USA) have compensated the Japanese civilians who were imprisoned here for a short amount of time, but Japan will not consider compensating our men or their families for their atrocities! There is no amount of compensation that would cover what they were put through, but it may help some of them. Please don’t forget the brave civilians that fought along side the military in trying to hold Wake Island. Those who are still living that I have had a chance to meet through the reunions they have are wonderful, forgiving people.
Thanks for the history & memories! I was with the Air Force on the Island 1966-1967 and was on duty with Jim Cox during typhoon Sarah. Would really like to see a reunion of surviving Island Personell.
I was employed on Wake Island by FMC (Facilities Management Corp.) as an aircraft mechanic servicing MAC aircraft enroute to Souteast Asia from August of 1969 to October 1972. While the isolation bothered many people and most didn’t stay long, I found it to my liking. Mostly I enjoyed exploring the Island’s many historical sites. It is a place of incredible natural beauty and offered a sense of tranqility not found anywhere else. When I left for the last time it was like I left a piece of me behind. Great memories.
i also work in wake island from 1967 to 1972 as an aircraft mechanic for fmc. if by chance you know me, then you can email me to this address. artchan@sbcglobal.net. i now live here in michigan. thanks…
I worked at Wake Island from 1960-62. I thought it was a great place to live and work. My employer was Bendix Electronics who had contracted with the Navy to operate the downrange area of the Pacific Missile Range. On Wake we were always called the “PMR boys”. Our building was located on Wilkes Island. We monitored an ICBM target, which was located in the ocean North of the island. The missiles were fired from California and it was all very hush hush stuff. But somehow by launch time it seemed everybody was sitting in their lawn chairs scanning the Northern skies. The Wake Island folks had a very good intelligence network.
I was a USAF navigator on C-141s and C-5s, and made many stops at Wake Island beginning in 1969 and ending sometime in the early 80s. I always enjoyed the friendly FMC workers and base ops people, the outdoor movies, isolated beaches, Drifter’s Reef, etc. Most visits were very short, but always a peaceful, quiet escape. I always thought it was a little sad watching the island transition from the active population of workers and families to the small activities of a “caretaker” status. I think my last visit there was due to an emergency landing by our C-5, and we stayed longer than usual (a couple of days) waiting for maintenance and parts to be flown in. If I remember correctly, the base ops people weren’t going to refuel us unless our aircrew agreed to play the islanders in a softball game (which we were happy to do). It was a night game and I think we lost. Chasing a fly ball, one of our crew members ran into an above-ground pipeline that ran through the outfield and nearly knocked himself out!
I was one of the privileged ones who got to grow up on the Island until the tearful departure in ‘72. We went to Hawaii after that and nothing was ever right after that. I wish today’s kids could grow up without tv, and just one radio station, because that left us kids with having to use our imaginations and island resources for entertainment. Boy were we all fit. One of my favorite ‘activities’ besides swimming of course, was playing war with the other kids in the abandoned ww2 bunkers. Yeah, there were some minor injuries but what the hëll. Wake Island still is and always will be the best years of my life and I haven’t met anyone who has said otherwise.
I was a flt. eng. on milt. c-124s. i made reg. trips to south east asia [viet nam] and the far east from 1965 to 1972. and we had to make that crew rest at wake, i always enjoyed it, i remember drifters reef [the old one] what great times i had there. we would all get togeather there after a 9 or 10 hr flt. and have a few [10 to 15] cold beers, it was so relaxing. and what a great view, white sand beach, the old bridge, the ww2 gun impl. and Drifters Reef. [old shakey crew members never die, they just fade away to Drifters Reef].. lboos1@yahoo.com
I always enjoy coming back to this site and reading all the comments. It’s always great to see some familiar names pop up, especially the “kids” who where there in the 50’s-early 70’s. I was one of those “kids” who grew up there in the early 60’s-70’s. In case some people aren’t aware, there is a group of former Wake Islanders who have been keeping in touch with each other for the last 14 years or so. I’ve been publishng a newsletter called the “Wake Island Spirit” for the last 15 years and have over 250 subscribers. If anyone is interested in receiving a complimentary copy, feel free to email me. There are also two websites that contain photos of Wake Island life. Feel free to check them out: http://www.wakeisland.ws and http://www.groups.msn.com/wakeislandspirit/. Also, there is another Wake Island Reunion planned for 2007 which will be located in Branson, MO. Everyone is welcome, so feel free to email me for more iniformation.
I was a kid there from I don’t remember when until I left in ‘65 at age ten and moved to California. I used to live across the street from the school, kiddykorner from the kindergarten, and I would wonder over there and hang out or play with the other kids in the playground. I remember saying the pledge of allegiance in class and kids would take turns taking down and putting up and folding the flag(two more stars). I remember a big hawaiian lady teacher(mrs. Panui, 1st grade I think?)would administer corporal punishment to misbehaving students(can’t do that now). I liked her ‘tho. I remember the “scaviola” trees and exploring WWII pillboxes and other relics. Going to windy palace(we had our xmas plays there)stuffing myself with coca-cola,popcorn and nestle bars and getting sick. Still got my class photos. Remember the frozen milk,yuck! Some of my friends were Mike, Jeffrey and Ricky(Ricky had a scar on his chest). Conrad was smart and a good drawer. There was another smart kid but I forgot his name. His was really good in math(genius?) I used to wonder how santa claus made it to Wake for xmas(by helicopter I think). I have very fond memories of Wake, nice to see others do too.
Hi Ken! I think I remember you! You mentioned my brother, Conrad. He’s now living in California. You can get a hold of me through the websites I mentioned in my previous post. Hope to hear from you and other former Wake Islanders as well!!
Hi my name is Anna Marie (clark) springer, and I lived on Wake Island from 1959-1961. My father worked for the FAA. I am the oldest of seven children and we lived close to the school. My years on Wake are so memorable. Chuck from the FAA organized ballroom dancing for the families and snorkeling, water skiing and going to the movies at Windy Palace are everything I cherish. I moved back to Hawaii and still reside on Oahu. I’ve been working for American Savings Bank for the last 30 years. My significant other also lived on Wake when he was 19 years old at TransOcean. After 35 years we met up and are together. His name is Rick (ricky) santos he used to tend bar at the Drifters reef.
I have been doing genealogy research on my family. I discovered that a distant relative of mine, named Michael Hornyak, was a civilian working on Wake Island when it was attacked. He was either killed then or taken POW and killed. I have not been able to find his name on any lists or much information about the names of those civilians present on the island during the attack. I would like to find out more information about him. If anyone knows about this or where I could see a list of civilian workers that were present on the island, could you please email me at mycoldhouse@yahoo.com. The contribution of these brave civilians should be recognized if they have already not been. Thank you.
Heya! just like to post up a comment to Rita Suafoa…..You may not know me but Im Selina Suafoa and Im Toma Suafoa’s daughter.I remember him coming over to the States with Uncle Niapu to come down to the funeral but yeah just been looking up our lastname and came up to this page…Just wanted to say how badly missed he will be and hope to keep in touch…Love always “THE SUAFOA FAMILY”
I too worked for FMC on THE Island from 1968 to 1971. I still deliver a few kicks to the posterior for not renewing my contract! Worked in three different jobs there, the last under Ken Ripple - the best boss I’ve ever had. It was “isolated”, but you never lacked for people to see and things to do, i.e., you never felt “alone”. Andy Fleming and I used to pal around together along with a few other close friends, like Dave, Roy, Pat, & Don. There were always places to “visit” like the airport, the FAA “compound”, the Coast Guard station, as well as the bowling alley, the Reef, both the indoor and out door theaters, and the many parties at the FAA bar, hmm, might as well make that ALL of the bars. Even when not working or partying, We’d take off on our motorcycles and investigate/explore the islands, always found something interesting.
ANDY, if you see this, contact me at billmasters@midrivers.com - also if Dave, Roy, Pat, or Don sees this, send me an email!! Would like to touch base with any of you!! That goes for anyone that remembers my name also! There were so many friends, and my memory isn’t what it used to be, sorry. Wake Island remains one of the high points in my life! Aloha!
Hi! I’m Nicomedes F. Suizo, Jr. from the Philippines. Just want to find anyone from Hawaii who’s family name is SUIZO. I’m seeking for the son & grandson of my grandfathers brother who lives in Hawaii for a long time…. Hope you can help me in searching for them. Thank you. God bless and more power!
My e-mail: nicomedesjr@yahoo.com
From 1987-1991 I served with VR-57 out of NAS North Island, San Diego Ca. We flew the C-9B and made many “Westpac” Dets out of Atsugi Japan, flying from there to the P.I. and Osan Korea. With one exception, ( we went to Guam) Every time I made the crossing we stopped over in Wake. I have traveled all around the world, seen and done things that most only dream about and yet, Wake Island is and always wiil be my most favorite place on the entire earth. I explored like others before and after me but, my two best memories are sitting on the bridge to Peale island and having a Gigantic sea turtle swimming beneath us. WOW! and once I woke up early to watch the sunrise near the pillbox and when I walked out onto the beach it moved! Literally…….. the entire beach moved! There must have been a million tiny sand crabs that headed for the water all at once and gave the impression that the beach fell into the ocean. just this morning I saw my most prized Wake possesion….my Wake Island University shirt “Truth, Knowlege and a Great Tan”
I feel a lot like Jimmie, only my prized possesion of wake is a pic. of the old drifters reef not that cement monster, if i had woke earley in the morning and saw the entire beach move i prob. would have quit drinking, i also have stood near the pillbox, but most of the time i stood near the drifters reef. Shakey engineer, 1964-1972 Great Times. LB.
I was the Vice-Commander of Wake Island 1987 1988. We were Det 4 15ABW. Our headquarters was Hickam AFB Hi. We had our own radio station and our own TV network (donated by Malcolm Forbes). It was the best assignment in the Air Force.
As a MATS/MAC navigator on Old Shakey’s (C-124) I spent many crew rests on Wake Island during the 1960’s. My fondest memory was trying to be first in the shower, because all the water was solar heated by the zig-zag black pipes outside the crew quarters. He who was last for the shower had much cooler water. The Drifter’s Reef was wonderful, a great place to kick back and enjoy this little Pacifc Paradise. For a navigator, Wake Island was only a speck in the ocean but thanks to a good radio beacon and ample LORAN it was not hard to find.l
Dan, I dont know if wake had it,s own radio station in the late 60s but one day on the way to ole shakey [c124] on the crew bus which had a radio onboard we heard the disjokey say in a very board voice, ladies and gentelmen monday has been cancel,ed due to the lack of interest. and that was the 1st time we [our crew] had heard it, it was esp. funny being on wake, which was one of my fav. places. I bought a ww2 jap prop. off of some maj. who was stationed at wake[said he was the comm. of the island] he found it in the lagoon while diving near by, it was leaning on the back of the old drifters reef, we were both about half drunk, a deal was made, He got an AF pickup truck and me ,the maj, the loadmaster and the outher engeneer took it to the flt line and put it on the aircraft, it,s still in my back yard today
Ron, i may have been at the next table drinking a beer at the reef,[ go-max power] 124 flt. eng, LB.
Louis, during the time I was there (68-71), there WAS a radio station, manned by volunteers, of which I was one. I had a late afternoon spot, called the Good Humor Man, played rock & humor (like Cheech &Chong). Since we were on rotating shifts with FMC, when we got on swing shifts, I would tape the show and have the guy before my spot run the tape while I was working. Needless to say, there were more than a few supervisors stopping by to see if I was at work! I had told my immediate supervisor what I planned to do, and he thought it was hilarious to see the looks on the other supers faces when they saw that I was both “on the job” and “on the air”! And, yes, I had to explain to them how I did it - more than once. The c124s were always a source of amazement to me, a huge hunk of metal that had a cavernous interior and could still fly!
HI Bill, That was a good way to run your supv. crazy, I can see him now running to work trying to catch you. I was a crewmember on C124s for 8 years, so i went thru. wake many times, and i always enjoy,ed my stay there, the only things i have from wake are the Jap ww2 prop. and a picture of the old drifters reef 8 by 10[i think] what a great little island. i also have a good picture of wake from the air on my screen saver, i would love to go back for a visit but only if they build the old drifters reef back like it was. [sure.] glad to have heard from you Bill, hëll that might have been you that said, ladies and gentelmen mon. has been cancel,ed due to a lack of interest. L. BOOS
Hi Louis, Yup, that could’ve been me, I was always trying to yank the upper brass’s (both the retired FMC and active Mil) chains. They didn’t regard me too highly when I grew long hair and beard. I worked in the cargo/passenger section of the terminal, and, after seeing so many fresh young faces going and body bags coming back, I felt that my radio program should insert a bit of levity to try to even things out a bit. I know I made a hit with the kids there, I received a lot of notes and letters from them the day I (sadly) went back to Conus. Glad to have made someone else’s day too! The only things I have left from Wake is a couple of pictures that my friend Andy Fleming took of me and one of the old post cards of the aerial view of the atoll. Lost everything else when I moved from Vegas. If ya want to correspond, my email is billmasters@midrivers.com - I now live in Glendive, MT. Bill “the Good Humor Man Hippy”
I Do remember one trip thru. wake to vietnam. our [c124] crew went to the old drifters reef to have a few. it was 68 or 69 i remember we were on what they called a 10 and 2, which meant you had 2 hr,s to have a few drinks and 10 hr,s of rest [no alchol] after 2 hrs at the drifters reef of drinking our aircraft commander [Lt/Col] looked at his watch and said well i guess it,s time to hit the sack, only 10 hr,s to takeoff, and the rest of said yea,yea, and we will see you in the morn sir, we all went to our quaters, had a few more drinks, and after about 30 min. when we fig. the A/C had went to sleep, we all headed back to the drifters reef to have some more fun, and there sit,s the a/c at a table with 2 VO and seven,s in frt. of him. we all laughed and sure enough got drunk, and after about 3 or 4 hrs of rest we tookoff max wt. Thank God airplanes dont have Hangovers
Your last paragraph talks about the SDI use of the island. In 1989 I was there with a crew that built built two new launch pads and remodeled several other buildings including part of the old control tower. Had a blast working there. I was very remote when someone wanted to leave the island. I supervised a crew of up to 45 construction workers. Did lost of diving on the south shore of the island over the wrecks of the Suva Maru and SS. Stoner. The coral reefs and coral heads were amazing. Saw the remains of the old Coast Guard station and the Pan American hotel out on Peale Island. If you were diligent enough WWII artifacts could be found along the south side of the island. Spent many hours in the “Drifters Reef” and the bowling alley. The island Air Force crew installed a satellite dish prior to my time there, so that they could receive HBO. The BOSC managers were American and the workers (TCN) were from Thialand. The Air Force had two officers and 5 sargents stationed at Wake.
I lived on Wake for almost three years 1950-1953. Although I was very young (born in 1950) I remember the sun, sand, water and wind, as well as all the stories my parents told me. My father “Scotty” Craik (Pan Am), mother Anne and sister Denise did two tours on Wake and one on Canton. We too have pictures of President Truman with my folks and holding my sister. After reading all the other stories it seems that there are many of us who would love to visit Wake, although it appears permission is very hard to get.. How about an organized reunion trip? Who would we have to contact to see about permission to visit our old home? It is part of the US isn’t it. Hopefully one of the intrested people know someone who can help to make this happen. Keep in touch jim@mcmappraisalservices.com.
To Tiffany—–In Reply to your letter posted on August 9, 2004
I saw your posting on Richards Ramblings about your uncle on Wake Island. My Father was also one of the 98. Wake Island survivors are having a reunion in Boise, Idaho on Sept 8-10, 2006. If you get a chance to read this before September 8th, please call me for more information. Floyd Forsberg, 406-932-4746 Big Timber, Montana
My uncle Redmond James Wilper was also one of the 98 men killed on Wake Island in October 1943. I had not heard about the reunion of Wake Island survivors to be held in Boise. I would like to hear more about the reunion. rjwilper@aol.com
I was there in ‘89 on constuction mentioned on post 102 by John. Best 2 months of work ever. History all over the place. Would do a hitch again in a second.
My dad worked for the FAA on Wake during 67-68. As a kindergartner at the time, I have vague memories of the typhoon and the mess it left behind. It made for great show and tell when we got back to the states and regular school. My parents did take lots of pictures of the island and the typhoon damage so that helps the memory quite a bit. I’ve always been grateful that we had the experience of two years on the island.
Richard, a beautiful site.
my email is jdavid.sharp@yahoo.com
on wake june 1970- july1971.
ninth grade.
by far the most awesome of my 50yrs.
Eugene Delania’s sites and efforts are incredible…everyone should sign up. Thank you Eugene.
Richard i wish you could make everyone’s email available..we’re not spammers…
thanks Richard, for your site and history,
Dave Sharp
I had the pleasure of visiting Wake Island in March of 1998, after our C-5 lost an engine enroute to Guam. A friend of mine snapped a photo of our C-5, and another C-5 sitting on the flight line together. I wish I had a copy of it for my office. I have one photo I will try to find for some of the other websites. We were with the 509th Bomb Wing - B-2 Support. We spent roughly 36 hours on the island and I have wanted to return to show my family what paradise really looks like. I have been following the track of Typhoon Ioke for the last few days, and it looks bad for Wake Island. CNN and Air Force News are reporting that the island has been copmpletely evacuated due to the expected complete submergence of the island in the storm surge. The path can be traked via Google Earth.
HONOLULU The military has evacuated tiny Wake Island in the Pacific ahead of a typhoon with 155 mile-an-hour winds.
Ioke (ee-OH’-kay) is on track for a direct hit on Wednesday. And a weather forecaster in Honolulu says it “will probably submerge the island and destroy everything that’s not made of concrete.”
Two-hundred people, mostly American and Thai contractors, have been flown to Hawaii. They’re the only permanent residents of the island located 23-hundred miles west of Honolulu.
It’s good to see a few familiar names here — particulary Danny Bobbitt, who was the USAF vice-commander [or as I termed him, the commander of vice] when I went to work on Wake in 1988. I stayed for 18 years and left in March, 2006. As it turned out, my timing was good. Everything I owned in the world was on Wake and I hate to think of what I would have tried to salvage if I’d been limited to the one small suitcase that the evacuees were allowed. I’m hoping for the best for the island, but I’m afraid if there’s catastrophic damage, it’ll be impossible to find enough funding to re-create the place.
The only thing that bothers me about the web site is the credence that is given to the completely bogus ‘Enen Kio’ hoax. There is no historical or archaeological basis to support any claim by the Marshallese or any other entity of sovereignty over Wake. If they once sailed past the island and said, ‘my, isn’t that nice!’, that is not sufficient to claim ownership. The island has always been too remote, too barren, too desolate, too arid to support life until modern days of distillation, food preservation, transportation, etc.
The island was claimed for the US and a flag raised over it on the 4th of July, 1898. Formal possession was taken early the next year. From that time, there were a fairly regular succession of actions consistent with ’sovereignty’. Botanical and zoological studies were conducted by the Bishop Museum in the 20’s. Pan Am developed the island as a stopover for it’s Clipper service in the 30’s. It was being developed as part of a defensive ring around the Hawaiian Island. It was defended against Japanese onslaught in the early days of WWII [no EnenKians were observed lending a hand humping ammo]. Finally, from the end of the war until now, the island has been continuously occupied and utilized as a strategically-located American military base.
That is what constitutes ‘occupation’; that is what constitutes ’sovereignty’. Saying otherwise does not make it so
I’m surprised — I thought I was pretty clear about my views on EnenKio. After all, Robert Moore, the man behind the fake government, has himself called me a “Bush ášš-kisser”, so I’m sure he knows where I stand on the issue!
WRITING FROM KEY WEST…AFTER CHECKING HURRICANE STATUS THIS AM…FOUND OUT ABOUT SUPER TYPHOON HITING WAKE TODAY…AM BEYOND DISMAYED…SEEMS SURREAL…CAN NOT IMAGINE THE ISLAND DISAPPEARING…THEY PREDICTED 40 FOOT WAVES…(HAWAII) STARBULLETIN.COM HAS THE UPDATING NEWS…EVACUATED EVERYONE…LIVED THERE AS A CHILD IN THE 1950S…DAD WORKED AT THE CAA STATION…DOES ANYONE REMEMBER “BEAR” THAT RAN THE BEER BAR ? AND THE 1952 TYPHOON SEPTEMBER __?? JUST FOUND THIS SITE…DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE REUNIONS OR WAKE ISLAND SPIRIT PUBLICATION…WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM ANY “WAKE ISLANDERS”…THAT ISLAND SHAPED MY SOUL/PSYCHE AND MY LIFE…..{MARCIE} ….CORNWALLCOLE@UK2.NET
As I write, Wake Island is being swamped by a super typhoon with unimaginable force. Who knows what willl survive? But worse-case scenerio could kill this island. When I worked there, I climbed around in the boonies and found VW sized boulders of coral reef well inland from prehistoric wash overs. There are 10 million gallons of jet fuel (correct me if I’m way off Ron) on the weatherside of the island. The new billion dollar runway resurfacing and the metal dump all potentially going into the lagoon. May God have mercy on Wake!
Charles Wilkes, commander of the U.S. Exploring expedition noted: “Wake’s Island is a low coral one, of triangular form, and eight feet above the surface…From appearances, the island must be at times submerged, or the sea makes a complete breach over it.” (Wilkes, 1844). The naturalist for the U. S. Exploring Expedition, Titian Ramsey Peale, described the island similarly: “The only remarkable part in the formation of this island is the enormous blocks of coral which have been thrown up by the violence of the sea.” (Poesch, 1961).
In my book there is only one paradise and I lived there for a year from June 1963 to June 1964 and what a memoriable year it was. Like most of you I am concerned and hope that the island survived Typhoon Ioke. I hope my little part of the island history survived. I was in the Air Force and in charge of the AF security personnel on the island. We were assigned there to provide security for only one aircraft. The same C-124, with the same crew came thru the same day each month. Never knew what was on board. So working for the AF only one day a month I decided to go to work for the “Colonel” who was military retired and the head guy in charge of Facilities Management Corporation at that time. I had three jobs with them. I ran the consession stand 4 nights a week at the “Windy Palace” outdoor movie, sold candy and drank beer. During the day I would rent bicycles and small boats to the crews stopping over on the island. Three nights a week I was the bartender at the “Drifters Reef” in the AF area. I remember one of the island bosses, T. K. (Ted) Awana, he thought I was crazy. Then there was Stanley Ho who was in charge of the FAA Police, he thought I was crazy too. I worked (AF job) for Colonel Roger P. Larivee and although he was the AF Island Commander, he spent most of his time in Hickham. He relieved Colonel Foote. All A great bunch of guys. Then there was Father Canice, the Franciscan Missionary Island Chaplain. What a great guy, he used to ride his little 3 wheeled skooter that the FAA gave him to use all over the island. Colonel Larivee decided that the AF should do it’s part in trying to keep Fr. Canice on the roads. One day a C-141 from Hickam rolled off a 1954 Ford convertible for Fr. Canice. At least that keep him on the roads most of the time. Several of us over a period of time helped contribute a little to the island. If you went to the AF billeting area, in front of the old FMC billeting office you noticed a 3″ Gun, an anchor from the Honolulu Dredging Company and a flag pole. It is amazing what you can accomplish at 2 A.M. with 2 cases of San Miguel, a weapons carrier with a winch on the front and a tilt bed trailer behind and a torch. The anchor we pulled out of the lagoon onto Peale Island and loaded on the tilt bed trailer. the flag pole we borrowed from the front of the old, old terminal building and the FAA was not happy about that midnight requisition. The 3″ gun we stole from the Japanese who had loaded it on flat barge in the tiny harbor and was taking it back to Japan for scrap. We thought no way, this is history and it would remain here on the island. Colonel Larivee said it created a international incident but we won the right to keep the gun and with the help of a sand blaster and cement from FMC we planted the gun into the ground. I was assigned to drive a bunch of British airman around on the overnight stop on Wake while they were on their round the world tour of their British Vulcan bombers. I think 5 or 6 aircraft spent the night on Wake Island. They didn’t sleep or rest, we went from the Drifter’s Reef, to the FAA Club, to the PAN Am Club, to the Navy SAR Bar. We had breakfast at the AF Chow Hall and then to the aircraft at sun up with lots and lots of oxygen. That was one of the best years of my life. Everybody got along and I hope it is still there after the typhoon this week. Let us never forget the military and civilians who gave their lives in defense of the island in WW II
Wake Island Typhoon Update: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123026369
Air Force and Navy going by boat to survey the damage.
I was a MAC C-130 Loadmaster out of McGuire AFB in 66 making shuttles to Nam with one stop at Wake Island for repairs. We spent one or two days on Wake. I remember the beautiful sandy beaches, the outstanding sunset, the good time at drifters reef, the wood bridge and how it looked— like the ocean was higher than the island. It was truely a Pacific paradise for a 21 year old farm boy from Wisconsin. I have told my wife, children, and grandchildren about my experiences there but a person can not explain the beauty of this place to anyone else. It has to be seen to be appreciated. The experience will always be in my memories.
I would like to say hello to Ron Wheeler. Ron please e-mail me . I would love information on any of our friends we left behind on Wake. What about Rick and Rosie ? Did they get their boat out before the hurricane hit ? chiefforhire@hotmail.com
Looks like according to Air Force Link there was a lot less damage than anticipated.
Salutations all –
Yes we have evacuated our little slice of heaven and are currently “refugees,” in Honolulu, HI.
Yesterday, part of the Chugach BOS team, left for Wake with Air Force personnel to assess the level of damage and to see how long before we can head back home.
I am updating the images we have from the fly by assessment and once they are cleared by the higher-ups are being posted on the Wake Island web site. I will try to have new pictures daily, or at least as long as we have this great high speed internet here in Hawaii.
Ron – the island misses you and the call waiting has worked the same since you left!..
Mahalo –
Allen Woffard, Sheriff/ Peace Officer
Wake Island Airfield
http://www.wake-islandairfield.net
Ðìçk -
Ricks boat is still there - Rosie is here and says hello.
Ron - Joe and the others send love.
The Air Force Link has some new photos posted on the web site of the first C-17 and recovery crew at Wake. In one of the photos I noticed a WWII gun on the ramp side of the Terminal Building next to the flag pole. I’m just curious to know if that is the same gun that was down in the old AF area, by the bridge to Peale. Since I almost went to jail in 1964 for stealing the gun by the bridge from the Japanese salvage company, I am just curious to know if it is still there or has it been moved to the Terminal Building?
My thanks to Allen Woffard for posting the photo’s on the Wake Island website. The photo of the Det 1 sign in the “Downtown Area” prior to Ioke answers my question. I’m so happy to see the anchor, gun and flagpole still there. A lot of San Miguel (in the brown bottle) and midnight requisitioning went into that project. What is so amazing about the place as I look at the photo’s 43 years later, is the hugh trees and palm trees. Don’t worry in a couple of years she will be as beautiful as ever. I know I am a Hurricane Charley survivor her in Florida. House was rebuilt and all the plants and trees came back, so give it some time and she will again be the paradise of the Pacific.
Allen,Rick,Rosie,Bill,Berny and all my Thai Friends,
Looks like I left a year too early!!!I miss the island and all my friends there.Did Wilbur(the other Bill)leave or is he still on the island?I hope they are able to rebuild.I would love to hear from you guys!!!!rickmantx@aol.com
Hello all, Ioke is really bad, but hëll, a lot is still there. I hope things like wrecks from WW2 remain, because else I’m gonna cry right now :’( !!! I would like to get some emails (stories/photo’s) from people who lived / have been there because I ~LOVE~ this island! Please send me an email if you lived/been there I really really appreciate it!
By the way, if there are POW’s or soldiers who have fought out there, then please email me too! Stories or Photos are both welcome!!! pascalkoning453@msn.com ~THANK YOU VERY MUCH~
I had met the WW2 Wake Island military veterans at their reunion in 1999. It was held in Paducah, Kentucky. A fine group of veterans who had spent almost 4 years as POW’s after the island was overrun by the Japanese. They shared some stories with me and it was an experience I will never forget. God Bless these patriotic veterans.
As a kid during WWII my favorite Hollywood wartime movie was “Wake Island” staring William Baxter, Robert Preston and Brian Donlevy. Now of cause I am more fully aware of the true sad story. I have always remembered the movie and when I was in the Air Force stationed in Korea I was permitted to return to the States for a Christmas chartered R&R flight. On the return trip in January 1970 we stopped at Wake for refueling and I must say I felt like a kid again. One thing I remember most was the landing approach. Looking out the side window all I saw was water, water, water and bang, land. I thought to myself, so much death and misery for such a small area. While I was there I talked to a WAF stationed on the island and she really loved the place. Couldn’t get to see very much myself at the time but it would be great to go back and stay a while.
Eugene, for some reason I have trouble accessing your website. My brothers and I are very interested in the next reunion. My brother John lives in Texas and my youngest brother James is a truck driver. I work at Edwards for POL. We need to arrange the time off at the same time. If you can E-mail me at a1863tl@yahoo.com.
hey Eugene Delania, for some reason I am unable to access your website. My brothers and I are interested in the next reunion. My brother John lives in Texas, James is a truck driver, and I work at Edwards so coordinating the time off together my be a bit of a challenge. E-mail me when you get the chance at a1863tl@yahoo.com.
I’ve read all the comments people have made. A friend of mine was in a KC 135 crash on Wake in 1968. If anyone has information about this, pictures, or any details please email me at purpurac@bowater.com. Thanks very much.
I am the granddaughter of Eugene (Gene) Roy Ryan who was a marine on Wake Island and spent the rest of the war as a POW. Grandpa Ryan died when I was 2 mo. old so I don’t have the privilege of remembering this great man. I’m trying to compile some reminisces for family use - if anyone out there remembers him I would love to hear from you. Even if you don’t remember him but would be willing to let me interview you that would be great! Also - what is the possibility that my grandmother, dad, and I could attend the reunion next year? Also I believe I remember hearing about a newsletter that was sent out at one time? Is this still done and does anyone know who I would contact about this? Thank you ahead of time for your help - - Rachel Ryan
I was stationed TDY on Wake from Oct 1970 to Jan 1971. It was a great time. Three of us were assigned to the 2nd ADG. We were there to service AC 130’s on there way to Thailand. During the time we were there, we only had 13 aircraft to service. The rest of the time was ours. I learned to Scuba dive there. I was taught by an RAF Vulcan mecanic. His name was Geoff Smith. My diving buddy was Dalle Seamonds. We had some great dives using gear that would scare you today. I spent many nights fishing off the wooden bridge. We would get chunks of steak from the cafeteria and fish for whatever. I had a friend who was in EOD, Ike Isaacson, we would rig up parachute chord with a steel wire leader and big hook. With a bleach bottle as a bobber. We caught sharks with it. That was on the ship channel. We had the pleasure of attending New Years partys at the TWA and Pan Am hangers. I was good friends with the station attendant for Pan Am, Fermin Eustachio. I tried to call him after I went back to Clark but never got a hold of him. It was a paradise for 3 months for me. Tom Gruppi.
Great Web Site! I came across while looking for information on the Marine detachment. I knew two Marines that were captured and spent thw war in prison camp. The two of them stood next to me when I was sworn in, Feb ‘57. Thier names are Lloyd Findley and Wiley Tipton. They both retired in early ‘60.
I’ve been to Wake several times for brief fuel stops, beautiful place, wish I could go back.
If anyone knows of these men please send me a note. pvibe@msn.com
Tom Gruppi, I know how you can get in contact with Fermin Eustaquio. He is a member of the Wake Island Spirit, which was organized by myself a long time ago in a effort to bring former Wake Islanders together. I have well over 300 active members and an address list of over 400 former Islanders. You can write me at WakeIslandSpirit@groups.msn.com if you’d like to contact Fermin. Also, if you or anyone else is interested, there will be a Wake Island Reunion next year in Branson, Missouri, August 2-4, 2007. Email me for more information. Feel free to visit our website: http://groups.msn.com/WakeIslandSpirit.
Hey All -
I am in the process of updating the Wake Island web site with recent pictures of the storm recovery as well as Island personnel and dive photos. Please take a look at the new site and provide insight as to what you would like to see mentioned or displayed. http://www.wake-islandairfield.net
Mahalo -
Allen Woffard, Sheriff/Peace Officer
Wake Island Airfield
Hello Tom Gruppi,
Indeed very glad to hear that you still remember me after all these years. I moved to Los Angeles after I left Wake Island in 1971 and still in L.A. You may reach me at 323 309-4767 or send me an e-mail. Eugene - thanks for the reply.
I have been attending the Wake Island reunion twice already and there is another one coming next year in MO, hope you can attend. I am very thankful to Bill Hylton, co-worker from Pan Am, who called me and informed me of this website. Looking forward to hearing from you soon. My e-mail address is hellofermin@yahoo.com
While in The U.S. Air Force, assigned to Hickam AFB, Hawaii 1960-1963, as an air to ground radio operator, I was fortunate
to fly ACM to Japan and stop at Wake on the long verson of the C-130 the C-133, carring cargo, etc to Tachikawa.
I also worked the radio on serveral SAM (special air mission) flights from Hickam to Wake to Tachikawa. I enjoyed
talking to the FAA radio operators on Wake….mature, and poised and informal on the HF frequencies.. like 13215.5 or
5710.5 or 6730.5 or 3144 or the busy freq 11228 , and this was before SSBand all AM frequencies….I remember crossing
the International Date Line at 180 degrees and longitude postions changing to East versus West. And I remember the
stops at Wake and the pretty Airline stewardess’ at the local bar…by the way I was with the 1957th Comm Group, AACS,
at Hickam AFB. I too, would love to “experience” Wake Island, again! Fred
any new pictures of wake after typhoon?
I worked with pol Wake Island from 1986 to 1992 all that time I’m so happiness.And to much fun.
Akkhawut Rakphaet
q.c.pol wake island
p.s. I came from Thailand
GREAT TO STOP BY AGAIN AND SEE WHAT’S GOING ON..
IS THE RUNWAY ON WAKE OPERATIONAL?
This is an answer to Mr. Rauzon from march 18 2005. The CIA and AF conducted psyc warfare testing through the contractor on the cilvilians from 2002-2005. It was project OMF. I know because I was part of that project for 2 1/2 years as an island test subject. I canot reveal any more than that. Good luck to all.
I have just stumbled onto this website by accident and after reading through all of the letters, it has truly made my day. I was a kid on Wake Island from 1962 to 1966. From the letters that I read through, I knew Debbie Dryer and her sister Donna, Donald and Larry Hopp and Bill MacMinn was the first and his brother were the first children That I was introduced to while hitchhiking to the other side of the island. My dad was the area supervisor for Page Communications. My brother Stewart and I were the first licensed shoeshine boys in the then new airport terminal.
Debbie, I have a picture of you sitting on your mother’s lap. I also have pictures of your dad.If you would like them, please drop me a note at ksamuels2@yahoo.com.
Enjoyed reading this website. Found some people I know that left a reply. Interesting inputs. I worked for FMC 67-72 as Chief of Personnel, under the leadership of LtCol Bud Dreyer and my immediate boss, George W Miles. Did gave my free time also to Station KEAD in the evenings. Was bored! I found my close friends in the internet this year that worked for NOAA, Ron and Maripat Willis. We were reunited again after 30+ yrs.
I took early retirement last yr. and has been residing since 1984 in New Jersey (1979 to 1984 - Chicago, Ill), but in a few months my wife and I will be moving permanently to the Philippines. I will be back checking this website from time to time.
First the following is a list of the POW’s from Wake Island at this website http://www.mansell.com/pow_resources/wake-list.html
I am Ron Skates, my father “Tom” Skates was the assistant Station Manager for FMC, Automation Industries and Con Am. They kept changing names but mostly known for FMC.
My Mother Betty Skates played many rolls the BOH manager, she closed it in 72(?). Post Mistress, Faa Club Manager, Womns club president publishing the Wake Island Cook Book, Red Cross director and what ever else. And my sister Penni.
My Family was there from 62 to around 72. We first lived on the old side where the hot cargo stand was and then to the Peale side of Wake.
To much to go on about. You can contact me at rjs@hawaii50.net. You can also go to http://www.hawaii50.net or http://wakeisland.ws which has links to info I have found on the Web.
Also contact Eugene as he has a great support group. I am in contact regularlly with Rick Olsen, Mark Bates. and Thora Beatty. Rick’s still mad at me for having a motorized bike.
Come on Kenny we did not shine shoes for money, we spent most of the time trying to con the flight crews of there insignias and pins. I conned a One star General out of his Star.
Good times and bad,remeber the FMC plane disappearing around 63 bound from Honolulu to Long Beach, the KC 135 catching fire when a wing jack went through it. The Bob Hope USO tours. The Xmas Parties and the times we did the nut cracker suite and toyland plays? The picnics, diving water sking? Riding the currents in front of Drifters Reef, jumping off the bridge?
Any one know what happend to Ronnie Blanton?
I also am in fairly regular contact with Wake, and might have a way of buying Wake Island Shirts hats, and etc from the gift shop.
Remeber you can contact me at rjs@hawaii50.net
Keep in contact
Ron Skates
Hey Ron, Very nice to hear from you. Rick is not the only one mad at you about the motorized bike! I would like to set the record straight. I never conned anyone for a shoe shine. I went one better though. I got a navy commander who piloted a DC-3 to take my dads radio gear back to Hawaii when we left the island in 1966. I remember that FMC plane crash back in 1965 as though it happened yesterday. That plane took me to Hawaii when I shattered my right arm. It crashed after it had dropped my mom and I off at Wake a week later.The Cope family was lost in the crash.By the way, I talked to Eugene about a month ago and he said something about getting a hold of you because I am going to put up another web site for Wake Island as soon as I finish this last quarter of college. My brother Mike and I will be going to the reunion in Branson in August. I hope to see you there.
Hey Ron,
Don’t know if you remember me or not, but I am Mike and Ken’s younger brother. Reading your messages to Ken certainly brought back great times for me as well. Remember the “tar” pits by our house? How about the “Green Bunker” across the way from the Page Communication facility? And who can forget Al Ching’s bowling alley and the great picnics at the Pan Am beach. And how about the old outdoor driven theater where we use to shoot spit-wads at each other?
Morning all -
The website has been updated with new photos since the storm and we are begining the slow process of debris removal and the trees are starting to show signs of new growth.
We finally sponsored the island first Relay For Life and used the runway as the staging and relay areas.
I depart from here on 7 July after two years as the island cop. I appreciate all the historical information and updates for the website that people have sent in and yes there is a petition being started to name the housing area after Lou Hithcock who has been stationed here for 33 years now. He still gets a laugh of people that call them “Wake Island Alumni,” that only lived here for 6 mths to a year.
Joe (seaghost) - the Air Force said that you stared at those computer screens to long and you should get out of the IT business. It was said that if there was testing in the years that you stated you would not of been able to say who or when it occured, you instigator - you know that all they did was to switch the regular Coke with New Coke to see if anyone noitced, and we heard what happened in Vegas and the Hawaii Cruise!! Bad Joe - Bad! lol
Again, thanks all for the years of assistance while I was stationed here. I will upload the last 600 photos when I get to Hickam and a good high speed connection on the 7th.
Mahalo!
Allen Woffard, Sheriff/Peace Officer
Wake Island Airfield
I was a crewmember on C-141s from 66-73 . Wake was one of my favorite crew rest. Exploring, swimming and eating were my favorites. What a great place. Had the 100 mission patch past/crewrest Wake. Made it back on a C-5 with an inflight emergency in 1998. What a change! Sure would like to take family and friends there to relax.
There was a rumor that the then corrupt President Johnson and his wife Lady Bird had stock in FMC during the Viet Nam War. If so, must have made millions off the USAF. Does any one know if this was true? I can’t find anything on it as if there would be public knowledge of this. Anyway Lady Bird was buried today near her corrupt and incompetent husband , Pres Johnson at their ranch.
I have some pictures during that time.If anyone knows of a collection site, I could send them by CD.
Good Morning from the Pacific Northwest. I am trying to find out some information about Wake Island, and a fixed radio station of some type that was there many years ago. A close friend and I use to stopped at Wake for refueling or crew rest on military missions in the Pacific. We both flew HC-97’s and HC-130’s from March Air Force Base in California to Hickam and then on to Wake. We also supported the old 76th Air Rescue Unit at Hickam. We flew most of these support missions during the late 60’s; 70’s and late 80’s. The last time “we” flew and stopped at Wake was in 1992. This is when we found the remains of which we had never seen before, of what was a old radio station. This topic has been become a very strong subject between my friend Roger Gill and me regarding the purpose of this radio station. Neither of us can remember have using a Long Range Navigation (Loran station) coming from wake, nor hearing an armed forces radio station originating from Wake. Thus we have argued many times during these many years about what was the purpose of this station. So if some one could tell be exactly what this station was for it would solve a long time question. If you know this answer, could some one please forward this information to me with any pictures that you may have to Bill Kratch at r621@comcast.net..
Thank You,
William E Kratch, SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)
I was on the Coast Guard Loran Station from 1964-1965 Wake Island, it was classed as issolated duty but I really enjoyed the time i was out there
I was stationed on Wake Island from Jun 1963 to Jun 1964. Yes indeed there was a Coast Guard Loran Station on Peale Island and it was run by a great bunch of guys. On the second floor of the then new terminal building was a very small AFRTS radio station. AFRTS had no personnel there but sent in monthly shipments of music. While I was there one of the Communitions guys named Steve Navarro would do a daily show for a couple of hours. When it was unattended anyone could go in and play the records which were broadcast on the island. There was also a MARS radio station run by the civilian Army personnel. And finally when you checked into the billeting office when you walked past the first building on the right there was the AF Radio Station on the first floor. The second floor was AF personnel stationed on Wake. That radio staion was operated by those of us who had radio licenses. It was KW6DS or “Kilowatt Whiskey Number 6 Dirty Socks” If I remember right it had a Collins KWM2 with a Thirty S1 linear amplifier. It was really a powerful unit and most every day we were able to reach the west coast and get phone patches from there to anywhere in the US. You have probably noticed this is more information than you wanted, but I am a firm believer that you will never know if you dont ask.
Hi to all, I have really enjoyed the sight.My uncle Lacy Franklin Tart was one of the 98 civilians executed, Oct.7, 1943. He was from North Carolina.I have been searching records and any where I can find information.On the list of 98, he was listed as being from Portland, Organ & that is incorrect.Also they listed his name as Leroy& that is wrong.I want to know if the 98 men were honored and if family member can accept awards in his honor.Uncle Lacy has 2 sisters left and their health isn’t good.We never received anything over the years from the Navy, Army, or War department. If there is anyone that can help, please!If anyone has any pictures befor they were attacked.Never heared from him after Wake was attacked..God bless all. JoAnn
Hello Al Stevenson…So you had duty on the Coast Guard Loran Station. Wow!! We could never find that information any where, and when we were flying in and out of Wake I don’t remember any Loran stations operating in that area. Now could you be so kind and tell me if it was a Loran A or Loran C station. I got a pile of good information from Pat Minoughan just a few minutes ago via email. Again thanks for all your help..
Bill Kratch
Was TDY to Wake for almost two years, “67-”68, Our acft parked next to Fire Station, a JKC-135 “The LIKI TIKI”. We would come to Wake about every other week or so, AFSC, working missile re-entry. We were over to Kwaj. the day the KC-135 crashed in “68, flew back to Wake to transport survivors back to Hickham., got a few photos of the acft in question, will try to post after getting them scaned.
follow up to posting 15 aug 07
johnfox@gimail.af.mil
I am doing research on Wake Island due tho the fact that my father, Clifford Milton Reed, was stationed on Wake with the 1st Marine defense Battalion. He never said anything about the atack or about his time in the japanese POW camp. He was, as far as I know, repatriated back stateside about 1946 and spent the next year in the naval hospital in San Francisco where he met my mother. He only started to talk about his time in service about 15 years ago. He died and was buried with military honors on 24 February, 2002.
I am currently working on Wake Island and am volunteering some time to try to get some comprehensive maps together and scan/post the photos that can be found here in the museum. I am also trying to get a website setup to post all the historical photos/documents that I run into. If anyone has any photos taken on Wake Island, any year/era, and would like them to be posted in the museum, on the website please email them to me with the owner/photographer’s name, and any info you have about the photo.
Thanks, John
Email to skynetworks(at)gmail.com
I am doing a history fair project on Wake Island. I would like to interview anyone who was on, or is related to someone on, the island during the battle with the japanese in WWII. I have a limited time before the regional contest so please reply soon. If possible please give me a phone number or e-mail address by which i can reach you.
I worked on Wake for 3 summers, 1956, 57 58 in construction; family there in the weather bureau; loved it and would love to go back for a few days. don’t remember many names, but for some reason Colleen Teruyia comes to mind. She was a little toddler. I had and lost a number of photographs and slides from then and wanted to do a photo essay, as there was still tons of WW II detritus around. Oh, and ‘Dusty’ Rhodes, I think a nurse. My sister Betsy Ann married the LT in charge of the Coast Guard Loran station Charles ‘Bud’ Mathieu, on a tanker just off the Island; the captain said he had always wanted to do a wedding at sea. Played a lot of bridge with my parents and Commander Pealer,(?) pilot of the PBY rescue plane who rotated in from Guam as the crews changed. Would love to hear from anyone who flew in on N65; if you know what that is you are for real!
Hubert ‘Butch’ Boyd
Just re-read some of this, and had to chime in again. One of my favorite memories was around Christmas; there was a tea-pot station, likely illegal with call letters WAKE; it was on a low harmonic of one of the tower frequencies. I heard, “We three kings of orients are…” and immediately thereafter, “Maintain 8000, extend your down-wind leg!” There was also a ham station whose call letters I don’t remember.
Hubert ‘Butch’ Boyd bboyd3@verizon.net. Love to hear from anyone.
My father Philip Maxted was stationed there working for the FAA from 1950-1952. I was born in Honolulu in 52′ as there were no doctors on the island then. We were evacuated later that year because of a typhoon. Anyone who knows any knowledge about this time frame or event I would appreciate hearing from anyone, pics, comments, etc. Al Maxted ajmnd@yahoo.com
Hi.
I am, as I type, on Wake Island. I lived out here as one of the contractors from 1983-1987 and was here for the first reunion of the Survivors & Defenders. I just returned last week to work here again. The devastation of IOKI typhoon is apparent and hopefully the Air Force will not let this island disappear….
Anyone wanting to talk, email me or call 808-424-2351. Remember time here is GMT+12, and we work (our)Tuesday thru Saturday.
Hope to hear from someone interested in the future of Wake Island.
Barbara,
I would love to ask you a few questions about working on Wake Island. I am considering a position there with a contractor and am very curious about the working conditions on the Island. Are you with the Air Force or with a private contractor? What are the logistical arrangements for traveling off the island? Any info you can give me would be helpful.
Thanks
I lived on Wake Island from 1958 thru 1962 with my brothers, Greg and Doug Nakagawa. My parents were Ray and Kiyo Jeffcott. My father was employed by Pan American Airways and we lived in their housing complex. The best times of my life were spent on Wake Island and really treasure those memories. I often think of those days… I remember the Burris family, the Clark family and the White family of Pan American Airways. I also remember you Anna Marie, the Eulitt family, Dale McFarlane, James Kilpatrick, the Bayne family, Gaylor & Ronald Kualii, Sharon, Sandra, Samantha & Sammy White, the Piper family, the Joao family,”Cookie”, the Figueroa family, Billy & Lester Makolo, Leonard Kubo, Nelson Nakanishi and others however the names escape now.Wake Island was the best!
I have been trying to track down my family history and im only able to get bits and pieces!I was hoping that someone could inform me as to how part of the island came to bare the name wilkes.
@Cindy: As mentioned above:
You might get more than just bits and pieces if you stop skimming and take the time to actually read the articles.
On July 5th, 2008 Wake Island Defender and POW Albert Hicks died at age 86. I am incredibly proud of the time my Grandfather spent serving our country (6 years as a Marine) and the time he spent as a POW (3 years 9 months). He will be greatly missed.
Hi, I lived on Wake from 1960 to 1961. My dad worked for FAA and after taking time off from collage, he got me a job for the Domestic Services group. I was a room boy, worked in the laundry, The Commessary, the dining room for FAA and in the office of the domestic services manager. I remember roaming the beaches and the pill boxes, the good fishing and working on a lot of drift wood. My dad “Baldy” Dickson, was a navigator for FAA and I got to see him each time he flew down to the island on the Constalations and the old DC 4 N-65. I played ball for the domestic services team while there. Wake has good memories for me and im so glad I had the experience of being there.
Hi all. I have just found this website and fondly remember my tour of duty on Wake in 1971. I was in the Royal Air Force and was posted there for a year. The place was just beautiful and the people were so friendly. Jim Lovelace and Kerry O’Brien from Base Ops and Bob Melrose from the Met Office were good friends and I mustn’t forget Bob Schneidenbach from USAF. I’m 67 now and can honestly say that Wake gave me one of the happiest years of my life. I talk about it to my grandchildren all the time. Really great times.
I thought I’d contribute a few more names to Phil Nakagawa’s list; I remember Phil well, because his brother Douglas was a good friend, and I used to go over to his house alot–which, by the way, had numerous spectacular lion fish in an aquarium! Anyway, here’s the names, just to stir people’s memories:
William, Phyllis, and William (Jr.) Valentine
Clayton Nakamitsu
Michael and Lynn Greene, and family
The Cook Family
The Herrings
Russell and Matthew Bailey
Henry, Wesley, and Jeffrey Tanoue
Anna Marie Clark and her six brothers and sisters
The Pipers
The Eulitt Family
Richard and Linda White
Wendell and Roddy Bayne
Sandra Haanio
Edwin Kokubun
The Saidas
Buster
Mr. and Mrs Furman
Miss Panui
Miss Bredehoft
Lynn Yamane
Candice and Joanne Kubo (my sisters)
The Beckner family
The Keliihoomalu family
The Yoneshige family
Fred Lau and his wife
Michael Samuels
Patricia MacMinn
I came found this website and have enjoyed the comments very much. My father John R Dale, served on the 5 inch gun on Wilkes that was credited with sinking the first Japanese ship. He was one of the marines featured on the History Channel Documentary. He still receives calls and letters everytime the program is shown. I am very proud of him and would love to visit Wake, but that is extremely difficult if not impossible, so that is why I enjoy websites like this!
I too can contribute more names. My family lived on Wake from 62-66. I was 10 when we left. My brothers are Mike and Ken. My father and mother, Arnold and Phyllis. My Father was the manager of Page Communications. I remember fondly the spitwad fights at the windy palace, the Green Bunker as well as many others, Al Chin’s bowling alley, jumping off “the bridge”, diving around the causeway, the wreck of the Sua Maru, our first view of The Beatles (A Hard Days Night), the terns and albatros, the typhoon that washed through one door of our house out the other (the entire family, dog, and cat slept in the car), our house roof literally cabled into the ground, and all the war relics. I use to play with John Baniago and Cliff Sitton. Also were there when the Thrasher went down. Remember Ms. Casey and I believe Lynn Yamane had a sister by the name of Gale. Also remember Debbie Dreyer, the Herrings, Russell Baily, The Olson’s, The principle Mr. Green, 4th grade teacher Mr. Gordon (all 6′4″ or more of him). Loved playing softball and the snorkelling (as well as the number and types of eels) was unparalleled. Also remember Bob Hope (several times) and the many Vietnam troops whose shoes we use to shine and the money we use to spend on candy and pinpal in the FAA building.
Hello,
This entry is directed towards Mike Harris, previous entry #172 from October of last year. I was doing a little research on Wake Island and found this post.
How nice of you to recall (and mention) Kerry O’Brien whom you said was a good friend while you were on Wake. Kerry was my older brother. I’m sad to say he passed away about 7 years ago. He was only 67. But if he were still alive I know he would leave an entry here, since he had so many fond memories of Wake Island. Luckily, I can share some of them since I also spent some time on Wake during 1968.
Kerry was on Wake for 10 years and often said it was the best 10 years of his life. He was a Senior Controller for most of that time and worked in Air Operations for FMC. FAA and FMC were the largest employers on the island. He encouraged me to hire on since I had an aircraft control background, and worked for Qantas Airlines in Honolulu as a dispatcher as well. Kerry worked for Aloha Airlines in Honolulu just prior to Wake Island.
Here is a link to my favorite picture of him, probably walking from the chow hall, or maybe the Drifters Reef.
http://www.taimantis.com/Temp/onwake.jpg
At the time I was there, Dryer and Skates were running the show. I also recall a fellow named Ben Long who was in management as well. The name Lovelace also rings a bell, but I don’t remember the title. All were upper management. I remember Senior Controllers Ðìçk Adams, John Rivera (from Guam), and Terry Reyher. Dispatchers Doc Hubert and Jim Gerstel, flight planners Ellis Villalobos, Frank Gradillias, and Claude Bell. There are folks I also recall, but not from Flight Operations. Long time Island resident Tom Watkins, Tom (or Ted) Wright, Bill and Eddie Freeman, and the Bingham family. It’s hard remembering back so many years.
Kerry made quite an impression on those who knew him. He left Wake after 10 years in 1975 (I think), worked for 18 months on Kwajalain, then worked in the US for a few years. Then he worked for Aramco in Saudi Arabia for about 10 years and retired with them about 1992. Back to work as a consultant for Universal Weather & Aviation, based in Houston, but lived and worked in Saudi still. When he did retire, he chose the small southwestern town of Masilla, New Mexico. If he could have, he’d have moved back to Wake Island for retirement. He loved Wake Island.
Joe O’Brien
Hi I was told in my childhood that my mother(Evelyn)was raised in Wakeisland with my grandparents you might of heard of Them…Henry Keliihoomalu & Dorothy Nani Aki Keliihoomalu…I heard that he had a secret name called “Big Duke”. I was really small back then when he was still present, god rest his soul. That he had build lights for the whole island and that I had followed in his foot steps working on the island of Maui, Hawaiian Commercial Sugar Co. As a power plant operator & mechanic. If any of you who do has pictures or any details back when they were staying there I would appreciate that you could share that info with me. I would like to share back with my mother once again before she moves on to join the rest of the family with god…
This is for Joe O’Brien (Response #176/7 February 2009). Thanks for posting the picture of Kerry on Wake. It captures his personality perfectly and reminded me of the good times had by a bunch of friends on that little patch of land in the Pacific. I was sorry to hear of his death at such a young age - such a gentleman. Two other names I remember are the Freemans and Jim Gerstel. Bill Freeman gave me the opportunity of calling my family in England on the day that I heard I wasn’t going home for a mid-tour break. This was typical of the great people on Wake. Kerry and Jim Lovelace visited me in England about 1972 and I introduced them to my family. Needless to say both those men made quite an impression.
Just recently I was looking at Google Earth with my grandaughter Megan (9 years old). I showed her Wake Island and zoomed in on Drifters Reef, the chow hall and the place where I used to park my jeep. “It looks fantastic” she said. It was.
I lived on Wake Island from Mid 1968 until Mid 1971. I was an Air Traffic Controller at the IFSS and worked for Al Tara. My wife, Virginia, was a teacher at the Wake Island School. My son, Ricky, started kindergarten on Wake and his teacher was Ruth Whitty. He also attended the 1st and 2nd grade there before we left. Mr Calvin Snodgrass was principal. Wake was the place to be!! Wonderful!! I suppose it was the roughly 2000 people of all different races that really made the island. We had to work hard during the height of the Viet Nam War but we all had so much fun. The Windy Palace Theater, finally, the new FAA Club and then the beautiful patio that was built on that would seat 700 people. It was covered and had a large stage for plays, variety shows, fashion shows, etc. We had more to do than we could handle. So many great patio parties at different peoples house, the tennis with Bennie Marcello, Al Tara, Daryl Kahn, Paul Coniglio, Leroy Skaug,etc. Virginia and I sang a lot at various functions with Virginia being the Uke player, and a mighty good one if I may say. I played fast pitch softball with some really good players. The talent was as good as you would find in most middle sized towns. Teams were The Gift Shop, The FAA Comets, FMC, The Fireman, The Kincaid Kaydets and another team. We played two or three leagues a year.I had to face three pictures that are as good as any I ever faced anywhere in the states. They were Ray Caudle, Jack Larue, and Art Moses. Man, could they bring it. I was also a member of the FAA Club Board and eventually the Board chairman just after Ray Pratt, Coast Guard Commander. What a great three years for all three of us. Wake Island was the absolute best 3 years of my 35 year plus years with the FAA. You had to live there to really know the beauty of Wake Island. I would welcome hearing from anyone that ever worked or lived on Wake including the military, Air Force and Coast Guard. My E-mail address is: richardjwht2519@hotmail.com.
We are always looking for new people to join the Wake Island Spirit Group and our reunion. Anyone that ever worked there or lived there is eligible to join. We would love to have you.
God bless you all.
Carl Purpura, This is in answer to an inquiry you had on this Wake Island site. I tried to use the e-mail address you gave: purpurac@bowater.com but when I sent the message it was returned to me as not a good address. If you still check the comments on this site then I am the one you want to talk to about the crash of the KC 135 on Wake island in August or Sept., 1968. I was working as an Air Traffic Controller at the time and actually saw the wreckage a few minutes after it happened plus I knew the controller that was working the aircraft at the time and saw the records. If you read this send me an e-mail to: richardjwht2519@hotmail.com and I will give you the entire story.
Richard White 7/22/2009.
Richard White, July 22, 2009
This is in response to Byran Dyba, son of Fred Dyba, who was working on Wake island from 1968 to 1970 or 1971. I knew your dad and mom very well. My wife Virginia taught you in the Wake Island School. Before our families were allowed to come to Wake your dad and I lived together in one of the old beach houses just across from Pacific Avenue. If you read this comment contact me via e-mail at: richardjwht2519@hotmail.com. We would also like to have your and your family become members of the Wake Island Spirit and attend on of our reunions. That would be awfully nice because you could see lots of your old school mates, a few of your teachers and others that you knew.
Richard and Virginia White - Wake Island June 1968-June 1971
Virginia and I were on Wake from 1968-1971. I was an Air Traffic Controller and worked for Al Tara at the IFSS. Virginia was a teacher at the Wake Island School. Of the 35 years plus that I spent with the FAA the 3 years on Wake were by far the best. Our son, Ricky, started kindergarten there and Mrs. Ruth Whitty was his teacher. He also finished 1st and 2nd grade at the school.
It sounds like about all of you on this site are eligible to join The Wake Island Spirit. Anyone that every worked there or their family, including all military, and anyone who ever stayed on Wake for any period of time are eligible to join. We put out a newsletter about every quarter with all kinds of information about Wake and the people of Wake and we also have national reunions at different places in the 50 states. It is a great outfit to belong to. We now have members, about 400, that run from the 40’s to the 70’s. If you are interested in becoming a member please e-mail me and I will try and get your information to the right person. My e-mail address is: richardjwht2519@hotmail.com.
Mahalo
I have made about 3 post to this site and none are showing up. I take it the site is no longer being maintained. If it is, my wife and I served on Wake Island from 1968-1971 and loved every minute of it. We have an orginization called The Wake Island Spirit. We try to keep the spirit of Wake Island alive for anyone that ever worked there or was stationed there with the military, and all of the family members. If you care to join this originization please e-mail me and I will get the information to the right person. We try to send out a newsletter quarterly and hold reunions every two to three years. We have lots of scrapbooks, videos, etc. that are on display or shown at the reunions. Others are more that welcome. If you would like to become a member please e-mail me, Richard White, at: richardjwht2519@hotmail.com. Dues are only $15.00 per year to cover expenses of the newsletter and to help cover the expenses of the reunions. I worked in the IFSS with Al Tara and my wife, Virginia, taught at the Wake Island School. There was not a better place to be than Wake Island.
Richard White
I was on Wake from 1970-1972.I am interested in info about reunions, newletters, the Bailey brothers,Grover Brothers and friends Teresa Henley, brother Skip and sister Darline, and Lori Fujiyama, Conrad (last name unknown) and Cliff Sutton. I now live in Sterling Alaska. Wake was the best of times.
It’s amazing to encounter all these familiar names and memories after the many years since my stay on Wake in 1971 as a teenager.
My father, Forrest Tipton worked for the FAA; my mother Martha Tipton taught at the school, and I had one of those not-too-demanding jobs that let all my pals and me go SCUBA diving each day at 4pm.
Mike Harris, you may remember me as the skinny 18 year old red headed kid, usually with a camera hanging around his neck, frequently hanging out with Kerry O’Brien. I have some fun pictures of you and your RAF jeep and the rusty old truck that your mechanic Geoff drove and of the Vulcan aircraft that came through the island, as I recall, about once a month. If you contact me I’ll try to dig them out and send them to you.
Joe O’Brien, I knew your brother Kerry very well, and I’m very sorry he is no longer with us. We spent many late afternoons working together at the community greenhouse, and late evenings drinking coffee and talking. We swam at the bridge near the Drifter’s Reef, and cooked hot dogs at the beach. He was a very memorable influence, was nice to spend time with me and I still think of him. I was delighted to open your link to his photo–it was very familiar to me. I may be able to find the negative if you’d like it. ptipton@tiptonjoneslaw.com.
I’ll shout out to my daily diving buddies of that wonderful season of ‘71–Frank Halas and Steve Henley. I wonder what you guys have been up to for the last 38 years.
Hi all,
I am also a past resident of Wake. I was there as a child (5-10 yrs old) in 1955-1960. I remember some of the names Leonard mentioned above. I also had Mii Panui as a teacher. My Mom and Dad were Marion and George Fitzgerald. My dad went mostly by Bud or Fitz. He was assistant Island Manager under Mr Munson? I think was his name. My dad was killed there in Sept 1960 at the PX when he went to answer a call for a bar fight. I have a picture of a plaque that was placed at the flagpole the following Memorial Day and a copy of the speech given that day. As I was kind of young at the time I only remember a few names and most have been previously mentioned. My best friend there was BeBe. My brothers also were there Lee and Pat Fitzgerald who were younger than me. I have noticed a few older post talking about a reunion type thing or maybe finding out if we could all return for a visit. I have had a life long dream of returning there before I die as my time there was the best of my life. It was a simpler time and way of life. I also have a few pics from there
I was on Wake island Sept 24, 1968, aboard a KC-135 thatcrashed killing 11 would you have pictures of that plane
Hello Wake Islanders. circa 1960-1966. My dad Samuel Haanio was stationed with FAA crash firefighting crew while on Wake Island. My brother Sam Jr. and myself attended school till the 9th grade. Only a few years we were there we developed a life time of memories we’ll never forget. The early morning hours before sunrise to look for glass balls. Who was it that jumped off the bridge to get to that huge glass floater floating under it? at Peale island. Water skiing in the lagoon - Ben Junker driver of the boat. The holidays were so much fun. Remember when the Air force would hold a huge Christmas Xtravaganza at the CLUB HOUSE. Every child on that island had a toy! The christmas train put together by the military. Rides around Windy Palace and pass the terminal and commissary.
CLASSMATES many of which mentioned, so wonderful to see their names again. LINDA CLARK (annmarie and dannys sister)was there the first moring we woke from our long 12 hour journey (sigh). LEONARD KUBO, EDWIN KOKUBUN, CLAYTON NAKAMITSU, HENRY TANOUYE, RUSSELL BAILEY, BILLY JACKSON, WILLIAM VALENTINE, DENNIS STRETCH (gave me my first box chocolates-cherry cordials), BILLY EULITT, MIKE SAMUELS, DOUGLAS NAKAGAWA, RICHARD WHITE, MICHAEL GREEN. The girls JAN WEILER, PATTI MACMINN, LYNN YAMANE, KAREN PUALOA, SANDRA NUESCA, EVELYN KELIIHOOMALU, WANDA HOPP, PRIMA ESCALONA, TONNIE CASEY and myself SANDRA HAANIO. My apologies for those i’ve forgotten to mention. We were the ‘FANTASTICS’. I’m recalling all of this now and LOL. Teachers MR. GREEN (principal)Ms. Panui, Mr. Hendrickson, Mr.Furman, Mrs. Whittington, Mrs. Casey, Mr. Coe, Mr.Fujikawa. Those Christmas plays and rehearsals at the Windy Palace. I recall being a reindeer one year and a flute another. I’m still LOL. We can’t forget the USO shows put on for our service men by MR. BOB HOPE and his entourage! We were out in the middle of the Pacific on a small atoll, but we knew how to have fun and make memories. We didn’t have any Jack-in-the-box, Mcdonald’s, Taco bell to earn extra monies. We all had our own babysitting business. My kids were the ICE’s (sam, carol and eddie) and ALLEN’s (dawn, tammy and brick)there were other’s, but these families contributed to my summer splurges to shop till i drop in Honolulu.
We lived closest to the PX.the housing fronting the beach. The families I remember correctly starting at the farthest end were PAULOS, COOKS, HAANIOS, THOMPSONS, PUNESTIS, ICES, MAKOLOS, PEREZS, KAANANAS, KANAES, GIANAKOPOLOS to name a few. CHA-CHA was that who gave dance lessons at the club house? ROSA GUZZO and her fun parties! I would get in trouble, too. Today, i still love to dance.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE MEMORIES. IT WAS FUN!
I was with the Coast Guard when we started TAD’s out of Barber’s Point in Honolulu. Being in the first crew, we arrived on Wake 30 September 1952 in a borrowed PB4Y-2 Privateer from the Navy. Duty was search & rescue and intercept of acft with problems. We set up 3 tents along side the road across from acft parking area. Officers, enlisted, supply. Our first tour lasted 37 days…..due to water shortage we could not wash acft and corrosion was setting in. This changed the length of duty on the island to 2 weeks each. USCG later had barracks for the crew.
ADC Sterling Hays, USCG (ret)
To All:
I’m a 62 year old Vietnam Veteran and military retiree who has never been to Wake Atoll. However, I have spent the last five years researching five USMC and two USN KIA/BNR from the 1941-45 time period I have been in contact with JPAC in Hawaii regarding this and have forwarded circumstantial evidence that these men were not exhumed post war.
Do any Wake Island Alumni remember Graves Registration Teams searching Wake, Wilkes, or Peale from 1945 to the present day, and did they ever uncover remains? Sadly, on a Trans Ocean Airways web site there is a photo of a young female (Stewardess?)holding a bleach white human skull, which would indicate to me they did not conduct a thorough search.
Also, does anyone have photos that can be posted, or emailed to me covering the early 60’s when the war debris was still to be found on the Atoll? If they do, I ask that it be forwarded, not for commercial gain, but for points of reference, if a description location can be remembered and forwarded with them as well.
Actual areas of concern are any 3 inch antiaircraft gun wreckage on the North side of Peale Islet(One Marine),secondly,the apex of Wake Islet ( the inner “V” )-anyone remember a large (bomb) crater, prior to the runway being redirected and lengthened? ( three Marines), and finally Peacock Point (the old 5 inch coast defense guns) (one Marine buried in the Battery A position). The two Navy aircrew were last seen captured alive and POW’s in the vicinity of old Camp 2 (WWII) which is in close proximity to the modern day housing/living area on the Northwest side of Wake Islet.
Any information from your memories of Wake and specific wartime debris will be appreciated. JPAC only takes an interest when bones and bone fragments are discovered. Most remains uncovered are Japanese to date.
Finally, does anyone recall a large bunker that was discovered/uncovered on one of the three Islets, literally a time capsule…….and then reburied? Where was it located-which Islet and where on that Islet?? Can anyone recall? There was also a NAB Wake (Island) Cemetery once. Where, specifically, was it located? Does anyone recall? Photos?
I realize that this website is, for the most part, a social one. But if anyone can help, they can contribute in a large way by helping bring one or more servicemen finally home.
Best Regards to All,
Raymond E. Drozd
United States Army (Ret)