chichi jima: an asian island with a western history
DESCRIPTION
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
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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 Bailout & Mistake #1
3,000’ Exit. Slid down fuselage. Pulled too soon.
Hit head on horizontal stabilizer Canopy caught on plane then ripped free.
3 gores damaged. Descent more stable.
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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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Flag Raising Ceremony
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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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1948
War-Crime Trials
on Guam Frederick Savory was an Interpreter
Tachibana tried, found guilty & hangedNurnberg
立花芳夫
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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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Flags of ChiChi Jima
1831 – 1912
1912 – 1945
1945 – 1968
1968 - Present
Score:US-103 yearsJapan-75 yearsN: End
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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.”