Okinawa Reversion Day, Fifty Years On!

 

by Pa Rock

Eyewitness to History

The United States took possession of small Japanese island of Okinawa when World War II ended in 1945, and for the next twenty-seven years it was under the control of the American government.  Then, in the early 1970's the Nixon administration made a decision to return the island to Japanese control.  That transfer of control of the island back to Japan was referred to at the time as "Reversion Day," and it occurred fifty years ago today on May 15, 1972.

It was a bright and beautiful day on Okinawa back when the reversion happened.  I know that because I was there on Reversion Day.  I had arrived on the island three months earlier on February 2nd (Groundhog Day!) and was serving as a young lieutenant with the US Army Transportation Corps, and living at a US military area called the "Naha Wheel."   (The city of Naha is the capital of Okinawa.)    My duty assignment was as a stevedore platoon leader at Naha Port.  The Wheel was soon turned over to Japanese forces within weeks of reversion, and, as I remember it, I had to move to a light truck unit at Naha Airbase. 

I married an American lady while serving on Okinawa, and our oldest son was born there.

When the 40th anniversary of Reversion Day was celebrated on Okinawa in 2012, I was again living on the island, that time as a civilian social worker employed by the US Army - but working for the Air Force at Kadena Airbase.  

Having spent a total of four years living on that tiny strip of land in the Pacific, I have a strong affinity for Okinawa and its people.  They were truly an important part of my life

And now ten more years have passed.

Not all Okinawans were happy about reversion to Japanese control.  Many thought that the island, which had a history as both a dependency of Korea and as an independent kingdom, should be self-governing.  There have been continuing demonstrations against the Americans, who still have a strong military presence on Okinawa, and the Japanese throughout the past fifty years.

I heard that former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is now the US Ambassador to Japan, spoke to a celebratory gathering on the island today - just one more indignity that  a truly wonderful people were forced to endure!  But they have survived several occupations and Rahm, too, shall pass.

I miss you, Okinawa.  Be well and stay safe!