Japanese brought to Guard Company Marine Barracks on Guam
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Sgt Grit
I was stationed on Guam in 1951-1952 with Guard Company Marine Barracks when nineteen Japanese stragglers were brought in from Anatahan. These nineteen japanese didn't know WW2 was over. I have a paper where one of the Japanese drew a picture of a soldier explaining to me his name, rank and where he was from. These nineteen were on Guam for several weeks being processed for their return back to japan. I'm enclosing a photo of the nineteen Japanese that was in the Navy Times on 1 July 1951. I would like to see if any other Marines stationed at Guam remember this. Thanks Sgt Grit
Semper fi
Kenneth Coffey
Sgt 1951-1960
Discussion
James Schmidt February 21 2012, 10:52 am
Sgt. Coffee:
My name is “Doc” Schmidt 2/9 Vietnam 1966-67. I was stationed at the US Naval Hospital Guam, MI from March 1966 to Oct 1966 until I was sent to FMS School at Camp Pendelton.
While on Guam I heard of The Stragglers (zanryusha), and while at a book sale, somewhere there, came across a book that I bought, and which you might be interested in obtaining a copy of, if it is still available: THE STRAGGLERS BY E.J.KAHN, JR. RANDOM HOUSE 3RD PRINTING 1962. Amazing stories of the many Japanese soldiers who hid out in the jungles of Guam, Philippines, and New Guinea.
I returned from Vietnam in November of 1967, and on June 25, 1972, I saw an article in my home town newspaper about one Shoichi Yokoi 58 yrs old, who was captured by two Guamanian fisherman near his cave at that time. He was a former Japanese army sergeant who had been in hiding since 1944 when we retook Guam.
As an aside, I always thought it was kind of interesting that I was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 9th Marines when I arrived in Danang in Nov. 1966. 2/9 was part of the invasion force that helped retake Guam, landing just off to the right and below where the Naval Hospital was. I believe 2/9 had a Medal of Honor winner from that combat.
I am proud also that I was part of a battalion that had fought on Iwo Jima.
Semper Fi, Doc
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