December, 1945 - Nara

The occupation of Japan in December, 1945 by the US Army, provided the troops some time to explore the country on their free time. These photos were taken on a trip to Nara from Koshien.

Group of GI's as tourists.

WJM shopping.

A Cabaret offering a place to relax.

MP's maintaining order.

A Buddhist Temple. 

WJM.

December, 1945 - Inspiration in Osaka

One of the side trips taken by WJM from Koshien was to Osaka. His group was invited to a hospital to view a surgery performed by a surgeon who had been trained in the US. This experience created a spark that would lead to post-war study and a future career.

Road to Osaka.

WJM in Red Cross Club - Osaka.

Red Cross Club - Osaka.

GI group viewing a surgery at University Hospital - Osaka.

Dr. Takebayshi - a neuro-surgeon- performed the surgery.

Surgery performed at University Hospital in Osaka.

Removal of a tumor and stomach.

Isolation of Nervus Medianus before removing scar tissue.

Suture of Nervus Ulnaris.

I am amazed when I look at these pictures to see no gloves on the surgeon's hands. Also, for a spectator to be close enough for the perspective of the surgery seems incomprehensible today. The photo of the GI's in the seats shows what they were wearing during the surgery.

The experience of viewing these surgical events was the spark that led to a long career in medicine.

Train Trip from Koshien

By December of 1945, the occupation of Japan was moving along. There was now time to leave the stadium at Koshien and see other areas. WJM took the train to visit places beyond Koshien.

 Mt. Fuji viewed from the train.

 Farms viewed from the train.

 Roadside peddlers.

 Photo ops during the tour.

 Kids looking in the window of the train to see the Americans.

December, 1945 - Koshien, Japan

We haven't found any photographs from November 1945, but there are many photos from December, 1945. The 3186 Batallion was housed in Koshien Stadium in Koshien, a town close to Osaka. This set of pictures show the stadium and nearby area. Christmas was celebrated here and a couple of the cards from the December post are shown again.

a view of the Koshien Stadium from the motor pool area.

The stadium with the American flag flying over it.

The 3186 Battalion Signal Service in Koshien Stadium.

Koshien Pool (W.Miller on the right)

Koshien Stadium - Andy Halligan in Radio Room

VF carrier - circuit

Koshien Hotel - Sam Sixbey with terminal.

Koshien Hotel

Christmas Tree in Mess Hall

Koshien Stadium Football Game - 98th division vs. 33rd division.

October, 1945 - Heading to Japan

There are only three pictures from October, 1945. Pop was heading to Japan from the Philippines. 

LST 708

Pop took this photo of another craft in the convoy. You can get a good sense of what the vessel was like and sense that this was not something you would want to travel in through a storm.

Firing the guns on LST 690.

W. Miller is on the left, covering his ears (who isn't)

Imperial Palace in Japan.

I am sure that these soldiers felt it much better to be in Japan as occupying tourists, rather than be the invading force that was their original purpose.

The Philippines - September, 1945

The beginning of September, 1945 brought a typhoon that hit the Philippine Islands. Camp was set up just in time to face the storm.

Bauang, P. I.

native huts in Bauang.

Flooding after the Typhoon

After the Typhoon

There was time for fun with soldiers riding the surf.

W. Miller and A. Burghardt in Batagas, Philippine Islands.

Sept. 1945

Manila, P.I. 

Sept. 1945

I had to guess as to the correct order of the pictures. I know that the typhoon hit at the beginning of the month and the unit shipped out to Japan in October. I put the image of Manila at the end thinking that was the point of departure for the voyage to Japan.

Sailing to the Phillipines

August, 1945

The war in Europe was over, so Pop's unit was supposed to ship to Japan. He says that they were told they would be involved in the invasion of Japan. However, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were decimated by the dropping of the Atomic bomb and while the ships were still in the Pacific, Japan surrendered. So, he and his unit were sent to the Phillipines first.

These pictures show the voyage aboard the USS Monterey.

Convoy

Cleaning '"4" gun on USS Monterey

Waiting to go ashore.

Port Promenade on "A" deck.

Loading trucks on the Pier in Manilla.

Pitching Tents.

Corner of Broadway (in camp)