I was stationed at Camp Hauge Okinawa in 1958-59. We still had Cinderella Liberty then too. However, since Disbursing for the 3rd and 12th Marines was detached from H&S Co and Battalion at Camp Courtney we had illegal liberty cards to get us on and off the base. We were able to stay off base overnight. You only had to worry about a typhoon which would keep all Marines on base after midnight. I fortunately never got caught. I hope the statue of limitations has expired!
When I went through 2nd ITR at Camp Pendleton in 1957, I was in Gulf Company at Camp Horno. Two of our instructors were Wake Island defenders. They had a ribbon with a dark background with a W on it. We were all duly impressed.
After returning from Okinawa, I was sent to the Marine Barracks at Great Lakes for discharge. We were billetted in an historic brick building. Since we had not much to do, we spent a lot of time after 5pm at a little bar right outside the gate and across the railroad tracks. The bar was IRENE'S.
None of the Marines, Corpsmen, or Sailors I've talked to who were stationed there remember it. Does anyone out there have any memories of that wonderful refuge?
James V. Merl
1655980
1957-1960