Smitty Was Here
Being that Smitty so enjoyed taking in the sights of 1945 Japan and it is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, this post will continue with the brochures he brought home with him. Above is the Inland Sea and Miyajima Island that is approximately 45 minutes from Hiroshima; the entire island is considered a park being that two parks are actually on the island, The Omoto and the Momijidani, both famous for their cherry blossoms in spring and coloured leaves in autumn.
The Great Torii (52′ tall [16 metres]) is the red religious structure within the bay is from the 16th century. The earlier one had been destroyed by a typhoon. The Itsukushima Shrine has stone lanterns that remain lighted throughout the night. Senjokaku is the hall of a thousand mats and beside the shrine is a hall filled with countless rice ladles offered by worshipers. There is a five-storied pagoda (100 feet high) for Buddha close by and in the Omoto Park is a two-storied pagoda built by “Hidari-Jingoro” an ancient famous artist.
The center photo showing a patio, Smitty indicated that that was where they ate. And the circle to the right, dad wrote, “Damn good fishing and crabbing here.” It seems you can’t even take the Broad Channel, NY fisherman out of the soldier.
At the bottom picture here, Smitty wrote, “I slept here in a room like this.” On the right-hand side of the page is written, “I managed to get behind the bar at this place.” (Can’t take the bartender out of the trooper either, I suppose.) If any reader is capable of translating any of the Japanese writing in these posts, please do so. I have wondered for many years what they meant.
At the Gamagori Hotel, above the bottom-left photo is written, “Good Food. Chef here studied under a Frenchman. Boy was the food tasty.” The right-hand photo has, “Fishing good here.”
On this page of the Gamagori brochure, Smitty marked on the center diagram where his general stayed. (If viewing is a problem, please click on the photo to enlarge.) The bottom-left photo is marked, “Had a room like this at this place.”
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This brochure is entirely in Japanese and therefore unable to give the reader a clue as to where it was or still is located.
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And so was “SMITTY”!!
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Updated News-
Some of my friends who visit often might remember this cover of Yanks magazine with William Carlisle , of the 11th A/B on the cover. Koji of http://p47koji.wordpress.com notified me that he found a William and Norma Carlisle in Chalmers, IN. I sent a note to inquire and only received a reply two days ago.
“Hello! So nice of you to write, Bob would have been pleased. The picture on the cover of the Yank magazine is William Robert Carlisle, my husband. I’m sure he could have told you stories of the 11th Air Borne. I’m Mrs. Norma Carlisle, Bob’s wife. I’m sorry to tell you that Bob passed away on Dec. 12 – 1997. I miss him! Hope you and yours are enjoying the Golden Years! God Bless, Norma
I was so disappointed to discover that we had lost yet another trooper’s tales of the era and a little taken back to see that He passed on what would have been my father’s 83rd birthday. Another Farewell Salute is in order.
With many thanks to Josh, we now have a link to the war memorial that honors the 11th Airborne using Mr Carlisle’s photo as a model.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/56306307
http://www.warmemorialhq.org/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=520
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I am pleased to announce that Judy of http://greatestgenerationlessons.wordpress.com has invited me back for another guest post next Tuesday, 14 May. I touched on the lighter side of home life during the WWII era with an article entitled “There’ll Be A Hot Time…” Come – join us!!
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Posted on May 11, 2013, in SMITTY, Uncategorized, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, Broad Channel, family history, History, Japan, Military, Military History, Pacific War, veterans, war letters, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 62 Comments.
https://nasudanasuko.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/explanation-of-brochure/
I am Japanese ,so I explained about it.
I used your photograph,because it is hard to understand with just an explanation in words.
If NG,I delete this blog 😀
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That is so very nice of to do for me. I will definitely be reblogging this when we get to that portion of Smitty’s history. Thank you for your kindness.
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I am very glad that you are pleased and happy! 😀
I wrote this blog for you,so,
Please, please use it freely.
Copy, others, anything is ok! 😀
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Thank you, I greatly appreciate that.
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My young master, Jamie, is going on 13 and a WWII buff. It is nice to know that the future generations are not forgetting. Given what faces them now…they are still not forgetting. Thank you for a fantastic blog that I share with him, and for the likes you have given mine. From a faithful dog, Maggie
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I’m very happy that you approve for Jamie to read my posts. I try to be as straight forward and open as is possible without straying from the facts I locate in my research (and mark my own opinion as such) and still remain G-rated for the younger set. WWII is the last war fought of its kind and deserves to be studied and remembered. (And it is very easy to click ‘Like’ on your site.)
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Thank you so much for the compliment! Social Studies is his favorite. He is constantly talking about WWII and all the different battles. He is like a sponge for knowledge!
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Give Jamie a big bark for me.
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WOOF and done!
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Thanks for your service, as a Vietnam vet I do understand what you did for us.
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It is I who should thank you for your service. The Gravatar photo is of my father. Thanks for stopping by.
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I can confirm that the food on Miyajima is still great – I visited barely a few weeks ago. The torii at high tide is one of the greatest views to be had in Japan. And the deer are as attentive as ever!
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Thank you for stopping in to tell us. I’ve always pictured this island as so mysterious, a walk into the past. It’s great to know that some things don’t change.
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Our country needs to hear these stories today. Such wonderful material. Thanks for your generosity in sharing!
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These posts are wonderful! I stumbled across your blog when you stumbled across mine. 🙂 I went to Miyajima about 10 years ago, and it is stunningly beautiful (Watch out for the friendly deer! They will try to nibble the shirt right off of you!). Thanks for this beautiful tribute to the troops. My dad was stationed in Japan, but luckily for him it was during the 1950s, and just post-Korean War. He also left with a great love for the country.
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What a wonderful story – thanks for stopping back and adding it. Good to hear that Miyajima is still beautiful, nowadays you never know with pollution, global warming, etc. Give your dad a salute for us – today is Armed Forces Day!
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I’m very sorry to hear that William Carlisle passed away, I wonder what tale would he have told if he were here with us. It would have made a great post!
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Oh, I agree. I just let the note drop when I read that. So sad that we are losing so many every day and all their stories lost.
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I enjoy reading your posts so much! I learn so much, thank you.
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Thank you very much. It makes my day to know someone is actually learning something new from my site.
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I love your blog! Your uniqueness, eclectic voice and honesty keep me coming back day after day. So I have nominated you… http://allnightknitter.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/an-award-seriously/
Keep going! Thank you!
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Thank you, I am honored. But, I will have to decline. This site is for the troops – not me and I hope you will not take offense. I am thrilled with your comments and appreciate your participation; just as I have enjoyed your blog.
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I understand completely. I am still glad you got the point by me nominating you though, your blog is inspirational, moving, heartfelt and….incredible. I wish you all the best!
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Thank you for answering so quickly – I was concerned. Thanks again.
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No concerns my friend. If anything I hope anyone that reads the nomination page will get the opportunity to be introduced to your blog. For me, that was the whole point.
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I’m impressed. THANKS
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The history keeps getting richer and richer and you are doing a bang-up job in the sharing of it. Your blog has become a wonderful resource for writers wanting ‘the facts.’ Thank you so much.
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Certainly my pleasure; sometimes it is difficult to find the true facts because the myths keep getting in the way; but I definitely want only facts here. Thanks for your compliments.
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These brochures are great. Shows an opposite side to war.
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If anyone could find the flip-side – it would be dad. Thanks.
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If you would like me to do some translations of the brochure for you please send me a copy. A little bigger in resolution than those posted here, I cannot make out the characters properly.
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Even after you click to enlarge?
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Yes, it is difficult to read in this low resolution. If it is too much trouble don’t worry.
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It isn’t that it’s too much trouble, the e-mail for this computer is normally used for other things, somuch that comes in – goes straight to the spam folder. So I do my best to remain on the blog for my correspondence.
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As always awed by your honesty and beauty of your blog. Such a pleasure for the reader!
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I am truly taken back by your comment. Thank you so much.
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You are very welcome. It is honestly deserved, I hope you know that. Just keep writing and I will keep reading!
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I appreciate it. Some of my readers suggested that I continue on through the Korean War and then back track to the VERY beginning of WWII. This blog missed a lot of battles because it started with my father who was drafted in September 1942. Some readers have requested hearing more about Burma, Wake Island China, etc. SO – if you keep reading, I’ll keep writing.
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I will be here 🙂
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I appreciate that.
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Just to let you know that I nominated you for both the Liebster Award and the WordPress Family Award. http://thefamilykalamazoo.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/aw-shucks-and-shout-outs/
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I thank you very much, but have to decline. I really am quite honored, but feel this site is dedicated to the troops and actually has very little to do with me. Perhaps in the future, I sincerely hope you do not take offense.
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You don’t have to do anything with it. It’s just my way of honoring your site because my post links to your site. No offense at all!
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Thank you for being so understanding.
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awesome stuff.
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Thank you.
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🙂
Kilroy Was Here
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Beautiful memories…
Sent from my iPhone
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You are quite right.
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If you’re ever in the Mobile, Alabama area might I recommend that you visit a small restaurant which sits on Battleship Parkway, which crosses Mobile Bay. It stands right in front of the battleship USS ALABAMA. Its owner has lots of World War Two memorabilia decorating its walls which my father, and other local veterans, gave to him. It used to be called The Captain’s Table, but I think it goes by another name now. Worth the visit if you’re ever there, and the food is outstanding!
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Thank you very much. I’ll make note of that. I have a life-long friend living near Mobile, so I will definitely visit this as well.
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How lovely to have that note from Norma Carlisle.
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I was so thrilled to receive her answer, but disheartened to hear of her husband’s passing.
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Yes, I can imagine that.
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I love your posts!
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Very nice of you to take the time to say so.
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Printed artifacts fascinate me. These are great ones.
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Thanks, I wanted to show more than war.
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We should never leave wars in the hands of politicians…
Such beautiful pictures of a country ravaged by war.
If veterans could really speak their mind.
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Very true on both counts!
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