Posted on Nov 11, 2015

Any Veteran's on the ground in Hawaii or Alaska at the time they became states?

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I have a friend whose father was in Alaska in the late 50's when Alaska was about to become a state (Jan 1959). He was actually delayed in shipping out until after statehood happened for some reason. Then, finally shipped to Hawaii to stay there through statehood (Aug 1959). Anyone know why or know anyone with similar experiences?

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Hawaii Pacific Region 183f0dc9

Alaska

Edited 9 y ago

Posted 9 y ago

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PO2 Harold Ashton

Posted 9 y ago

I was editor of the station newspaper at Barber's Point, HI, from (if I remember right) 1957-58. Yes, it was waaaaay cool. I continued on to Port Hueneme, CA (Seabee Base) to edit their paper until my discharge in September 1959 as a JO2.

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CW5 Jim Steddum

9 y

PO2 Harold Ashton Do you know of any reason Soldiers would be just sent there to be present during statehood?

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PO2 Harold Ashton

9 y

No knowledge of any operation like that.

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Cpl Kurt Prinz

9 y

Been to Barbers Point more times than I can count. I was over at West Loch/Waikele for a couple years and then off to 3/3 Kilo Co at Kaneohe Bay for the other 2 years. I loved it in Hawaii.

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PO2 Harold Ashton

9 y

At the same time I was there, my aunt and her husband were stationed at Kaneohe where he was a stationed as a Marine Staff Sergeant. He was the real thing, too. Cigar-smoking Mississippi-born complete with tight flattop. He was embarrassed to have a Swabby in the family line, but we grew to appreciate each other. I always had a good relationship with the gy-renes that I met.

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