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Kwaj Community Web
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I was on Kwaj during 1952-53 as a US Navy Seabee
working in the public works department. I worked in the telephone
gang and maintained the manual telephone system which we later cut over
to a dial system. the calling region was...the island and long distance
calls were passed through the ham radio shack, tropical paradise...no
way, just a sand speck in the middle of the ocean. When I first
arrived, before I was billeted, i was in charge of a working party of
Seabees that planted 3000 coconuts at the end of the runway. when i left
they were about 4 feet high. during my tour Kwaj was a naval air
station and run by the Navy. a detachment of Seabees from MCB 10 (Guam)
were on island building dependent housing, the Safeway and other
projects. Brown Pacific Maxim was a civilian contractor rebuilding
the air strip and surrounding buildings. The island was over
crowded and not much to do except swim and collect shells on the reef.
We often had beer parties on the neighboring islands. Natives were
also boated over daily from Ebeye island to do menial work around the
base. The old manual telephone building was a Quonset hut next to
the Richardson (outdoor) movie but when we went dial it was a brand new
building opposite the brig just sown the street from the chow hall and
enlisted men's barracks. You see, this was a military base.
We were fortunate because of the telephone equipment, the building was
air conditioned. Occasionally the co (commanding officer) would
stop by and cool down.
I have to commend you on a fantastic job on the Kwaj Community Web Page. I am totally blown away by what has happened over the years.
Looking at the video, there wasn't anything I recognized with the
exception of 2 or 3 items. the air control tower and tarmac was under
construction by BROWN PACIFIC MAXIM, the chapel, one swimming pool on
the ocean side which was the enlisted men's pool. I can't believe the
foliage...FLOWERS, GOLF COURSE, marinas, I just can't believe it all..
the modernization, from all your photos it looked like you were all on
vacation (kidding), even looked at satellite pictures and magnified to
see if I could recognized some buildings, again, great job. I have
looked at it over and over again and still enjoy looking. You were a
pretty busy guy during those 23 YEARS, 377 days was enough for me but if
it were like today, I'm sure it would have been a little more enjoyable.
Enjoy talking with you and as soon as I get my slides from my son, I'll
send some. Maybe your old buddies would like to see what it was
like in 52. I think I got there shortly after you were born.
Regards,
Joe Reinhardt,
joseph@gmail.com.
Note from Shermie Wiehe: In creating the Kwaj Community Web Site
that I started in 1997 after leaving Kwaj, that being my home for more
than 23 years, I find much pleasure in sharing Joe Reinhardt's email I
received. I look forward to posting some pictures from Joe that he
has offered to provide and to know they will be of the year I was born,
1952. Who would of thought I would of been on Kwaj 23 years,
August 1972. Thanks for all the nice comments Joe! |
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