ChiChi Jima: An Asian Island with a Western History

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This tiny volcanic island in the far western Pacific was settled by seven Caucasian families from Massachusetts in 1831. It was visited by Commodore Perry in 1853 and began flying the U.S. flag. Chichi Jima became part of Japan in 1912. It is in the Bonin Island chain, not far from Iwo Jima. The Caucasian residents became citizens of Japan. When World War II erupted, the young men of the island joined the Japanese military. While Iwo Jima had flat areas appropriate for an airfield, mountainous Chichi Jima was selected for a strategic radio relay station. As the war progressed in 1944, the U.S. Navy decided the radio station had to be taken out. The second attempt was given to 20-year old Lt (j.g.) George H. W. Bush, a future president of the United States. His plane was hit and he bailed out over the water. The island is still inhabited by descendants of the original Caucasian settlers. Fascinating geography and a great piece of little-known history. Dan Poynter is past president of the Parachute Industry Association, past chairman of the Board of the U.S. Parachute Association, past president of the International Hang Gliding Commission and is a trustee of the National Skydiving Museum. He has written more than 120 books; ten on parachutes, skydiving and hang gliding. A pilot, skydiver and master parachute rigger, this Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) is a frequent speaker at aviation and other events. S-23 Keynote. Multimedia with historic videos, maps and sound. 60 minutes For content-rich, stimulating and valuable presentations, contact:

Transcript of ChiChi Jima: An Asian Island with a Western History

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© 2012

An island in the western Pacific

An Asian Island with a Western History

Dan Poynter’s

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Ferdinand Magellan 1521

Portuguese, sailing for the king of Spain.

5 ships on westward route to the Spice Islands.

237 men departed Sanlúcar, Spain, 18 completed the voyage.

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Pacific was UnchartedMissed the Islands to the

South

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Navigation

Challenges

Magellan did not know the wind & ocean currents.

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Magellan was Killed in Cebu, Philippines.

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1820 700 whaling ships & 18,000

men plied the Pacific; few sailed the Atlantic

Most Atlantic whales harvested

Pacific was well known

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1831

3 2

1

4

7 families from Massachusetts

Stopped in Hawaii

Picked up Nathaniel Savory, British Sailor.

U.S. Needed a coaling station in western Pacific

names like Robinson, Webb, Gilley, Washington and Gonzales.  (Trace route)

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The Wester

n Pacific

Uninhabited, unnamed island.

Half way between Tokyo & Guam

500 mi/800 km from Tokyo & Okinawa

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Natural Harbor

3 x 5 miles/ 4 x 8 kms

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Had Fresh Water

Island known to whalers

Semi-tropical

Good water supply

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Beaches and a Harbor

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The View From Mt Chuo Today

1,000’/300mElevation.

See the harbor.

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Whaling Ship Stop

Food, water, alcohol

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1853

Iron-clad steamships

Commodore Perry

Japanese cut selves off from world. Advanced society

Perry on way to open trade Perry bought 50 acres from Savory.

Made Savory an Agent of the US Navy

Savory asked to be part of the US and accepted a flag.

Perry went to Edo (Tokyo) Bay and ships terrified the Japanese.

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1862 Some Japanese dropped by Settlers protested to

Washington. War Department was busy

with the Civil War. Wrote, you are on your

own. Japanese did not bother

them again.

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1874 First Overseas Expedition

Response to the murder of 54 crewmembers of a wrecked merchant vessel by the Paiwan.

An aboriginal tribe on the southeastern tip of Taiwan.

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Beginning of Japanese Expansion

Many small islands, Korea, Manchuria and more.

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1912 – Japan Takes Over

Japanese arrived at the island in force. Caucasians became citizens of Japan. Learned the Japanese language, customs, dress and food. Still spoke English too. Got along well. Japan named the island ChiChi Jima (Father Island). U.S. did not object.

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Some of the Savory Family in 1927

Note the mix of Asian and Western dressN: All was peaceful until . .

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1941 – Pearl Harbor

Pacific became Polarized Politicized Militarized

Men joined (Japan) military Not trusted.

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The Best Silk Came From Japan

(Silent Film Caption)

The parachute part of this presentation

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History of Nylon

1938: DuPont announces nylon1941: Japan cuts off silk supply1942: Other countries tried

linen, hemp, Rayon, etc. U.S. switched to nylon

Superior to silk

Betty GrableStriano in NJ

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Worm Spit or Coal?

Should the pin be changed?

Silk from caterpillars

Nylon from Petroleum

Wear lump of coal?(Just a thought)

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The ChiChi Jima Caves

Brought the national archives from Tokyo

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Yoake Radio Relay Station

Essential relay link to South Pacific. Heavily defended.

Marines about to assault Peleliu First mission failed to destroy station

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2nd Attack: Sept 2, 1944 Youngest Navy pilot (20) Single-engine Torpedo Bomber Crew of 3

Radioman/belly gunner and a top gunner

Lt, jg, George Bush

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Avenger Torpedo Bomber

50’ Wingspan 16’ High 8 tons loaded 4-500 lb bombs (Few Japanese ships left).

Largest single-engine plane in Navy Bush named plane “Barbie” for girl friend.

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Pilot’s (QAS) Parachute

Pilot wore harness.

Connected 4 snaps.

24’ flat circular. Silk canopy

Cotton harness. Switlik

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QAC Crew Parachutes

Chest parachute for top gunner Could not wear it in

the small turret. Radioman, below,

assisted, then both exited.

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From Cruiser to Small Carrier

Carrier San Jacinto Pearl Harbor proved future would be in carriers not battleships.

Billy Mitchell was finally vindicated.

Converted cruisers to carriers.

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Largest Single-Engine Navy Plane off Shortest Carrier

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SB2C “Helldivers” over ChiChi Jima

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Wake ‘em up with Video

Used in my aviation programs

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Bush Took Out the Tower Engine hit Oil streaming across windscreen Ruptured oil line

Smoke & Flames Could not see his instruments

Continued to strafe & bomb Took out the tower

Turned east--out to sea

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His Aircraft was Hit

Called to 2 crewmen to bail out

Aircraft lost power Radioed his location

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The Bailout

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The Descent &

Mistake #2

Slipped out of harness 20-50’ above water.

Canopy and liferaft blew downwind.

Pilots flew over

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Weaving Silk Fabric

His canopy made of Japanese silk US still had a large supply

His aircraft is still at the bottom of the lagoon

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The Hospitality Committee

GeneralYoshio Tachibana ( 立花芳夫 )

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The Descent

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The Rescue

Paddled with hands more than 3 hours Never stopped vomiting

Four minutes before noon, he saw a periscope 100 yards away.

He was paralyzed with terror thinking it was a Japanese sub. (Actual photo of Bush)

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The Rescue

Actual photoN: Future president was nearly captured, tortured and eaten. Might have been know as the . . .

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The “Sushi” President

Spent month under water Flew 58 combat missions 126 carrier landings 1,228 flying hours

Distinguished Flying Cross &

3 Air Medals

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Where it all

OccurredRadio/Antenna

Bush Rescued

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Surrender of ChiChi Jima

GeneralYoshio Tachibana

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1946

Only the Caucasian-Japanese were allowed to return.

The Asian-Japanese did not go back until 1968 when the islands returned to Japanese control.

MacArthur

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Frederick Savory in 1946

3 Savorys and a Thompson were the first to be repatriated to the island.

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The Caves

Atomic Annie

Archives moved back to Tokyo.

US stored atomic field munitions in the caves for the Korean War. Deniability: “No atom

bombs in Japan or Korea.”

Could be why China gave in on Korean armistice.

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Symposium 1997 - Houston

Patti Chernis

Al Saylor Bush Museum

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The Price

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Trenton, New Jersey.

S: Called Richard, Stanley SwitlikSame production runArrived in Houston. Parachute was there.Called Chris Needles

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PIA Symposium - 1997

Bush thanked the parachute industry for saving his life

S: Glass TrophyRehearsalPress room. Barbara Gaughen. Joe Vitale. Linda Credeur.Auditorium packed. Radio & TV6’ 4”

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At 7AM, Bush Requested a

Second Chance

Realized who could help.Made mistakes the first time. Wanted to jump again. Closure.

Chris Needels

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AFF Jump

Canopy not testedSecret ServiceHit head on exit. 6’ 4”Dust devil

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Questions7

“If God wanted us to stay on the ground,He would have given us roots.”

A few minutes for your questions before we go into the closing slides.

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Books on ChiChi Jima

Hank Searls: Jaws the Revenge, etc.. 1991. Came to my workshop.S: What kind of revenge? S: Hank and Bush in 1992 election

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Please Tell OthersAbout This Program

Aviators Parachute people Skydivers Veterans Military General audiences

Not only time

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Aviation Programs Tiny Broadwick Sam Patch, Original Jumper. Floyd Smith North Pole Briefing Lawn Chair Larry Jumping Without a Parachute Caterpillar Club Charles Lindbergh’s Jumps ChiChi Jima

See Program Details on the Website

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The News

The Good News: At least one president of the US has

made a parachute jump.

The Bad News: He did not make it out of choice.

But he did return to do it right.

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The Amazing Story of

a Small Island

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My name is Dan Poynter

and

I want you to know our history

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“ Only skydivers know why the birds sing.”