Okinawa Recap:
It’s been five weeks since Joey left for Okinawa. Joey is catching up on everything now that he has returned home to The Netherlands. We are releasing this blog about a few of his experiences on the trip.
On May 8th of this year, Joey flew to Okinawa for two weeks to explore the World War 2 battlefields. The plan was to walk in the footsteps of the various units that fought in the Battle of Okinawa. This battle lasted almost two months from April 1, 1945 to May 21, 1945. With the history being so alive here in Europe, Joey noticed this is not the case on Okinawa. Most people don’t really know about the war and the battle sites are “like a shy little boy in a big crowd.” Nevertheless, Joey visited the following sites and footsteps:
- Mount Yaedake in the footsteps of the 6th Marine Division
- Ie Jima Island in the footsteps of the 77th Infantry Division
- The area of Yonabaru and the footsteps of the 7th and 96th Infantry Division
- Chatan – Yomitan, the landing beaches of the 1st and 6th Marine Division and 7th and 96th Infantry Division
- Hacksaw Ridge in the footsteps of Desmond T. Doss and the 77th Infantry Division
- Kakazu Ridge in the footsteps of the 96th Infantry Division
- Sugar Loaf Hill, the bloodiest site for the 6th Marine Division
- Many more!
Hacksaw Ridge!
For Joey, Mount Yaedake, Ie Jima Island and both Hacksaw and Kakazu Ridge were his favorite sites! The first two had a wonderful nature with many historical spots. Kakazu Ridge was probably the most ‘alive’ place as it contained many signs and locations to visit. Hacksaw Ridge is a very well known ridge that’s known from the 2016 movie and Joey went there to compare the movie with the real location.
https://www.instagram.com/joedemadio_ww2/
Tours!
As the weeks pass by, Joey will be editing and releasing video’s of his complete trip on his YouTube Channel. As Footsteps Researchers we’re very proud and happy to add Okinawa to our work list. Joey said he has a clear view of the Island, the battles that took places and the culture. He’s ready to lead footsteps tours for people who look to visit their veteran’s footsteps on this Japanese Island!
2 thoughts to “Okinawa – Learning about the War in the Pacific”
My name is Kevin and my friend Hank Harper was a machine gunner in the well-known K/3/5. He fought at Awacha Draw, Dakeshi, Wana Draw, Half Moon Hill, Shuri, Kunishi Ridge and those in between. Hank was one of the few of Co.K who landed April 1, 1945, and walked away unscathed. Hank is alive and well and I’ve started a FB page of narrative and photos to chronicle Hank’s experiences on Okinawa. I invite you to visit the page and would welcome posts and comments. Thank you. Kevin Woods
Sorry. I’m a bit new to this. I forgot to leave the link in the previous post. Kevin Woods
https://www.facebook.com/K35-Hank-Harper-100104375075610/?modal=admin_todo_tour