A note of appreciation

I would like to thank Tinian Mayor Frank Borja, his special assistant, Phillip Mendiola-Long, and the many people who assisted, for undertaking the brave and visionary approach to the 60th commemorative events recently held on Tinian.

The dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were recently voted “the top news story of the 20th Century,” thereby marking this episode of history as one of the most important and controversial events ever. Instead of adhering to the often-used scenario of keeping the two former enemies separate, they chose to hold an event that sought to bring both sides to the commemoration. This strategy was designed not to force them to do something that was not in their hearts, but to provide an opportunity for the possibility of dialog and a new understanding.

The event gave these aging veterans a last chance to see and speak to each other face-to-face if they so desired. Many of these vets would have gone to their graves never having had the opportunity to speak to their former opponents if the 60th had not been conducted as it was. The 60th was not a “love-in”—there were moments of brutally frank discussions and dramatic exchanges. Some veterans chose not to meet their former enemies. There were also forums in which the momentous and contentious events surrounding the dropping of the atom bombs were discussed by veterans who participated in the events.

I understand that a good deal of criticism has been leveled at the event and its organizers. From my perspective, it always seems that any novel approach like the 60th will initially be met with resistance. However, I strongly believe that this event’s purpose was fully realized and in years to come will be deeply appreciated. As a result of the 60th, 75 years from now, CNMI schoolchildren will be able to push a button and listen to what a World War II veteran had to say about his WWII experience on their island.

I served as the event historian and historical tour coordinator for the event and also did many of the interviews between the Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) and the U. S. veterans. In interview rooms filled with international press and documentary teams, I saw men like Dr. Harold Agnew (who flew on the Hiroshima mission) and Leon Smith (who helped assemble the atomic bombs and was involved with the Hiroshima mission) sit down with Japanese atomic blast survivors Akiko Matsushima and Terumi Kajiya and discuss their impressions, memories and what the passage of 60 years has taught them. Many in the press waited anxiously for some sort of explosive exchange, but what they were treated to was a rational and touching discussion of each person’s memories and reflections of those momentous events. The exchanges were frank and descriptions were brutally factual, and each participant said what they had to say. It was a revelation for all that witnessed it.

On another occasion, my film crew had Leon Smith and George Cohen of the 509th Composite Group, who both participated on the Hiroshima mission, at the Atom Bomb Loading pits doing some filming. Unexpectedly, a Japanese film team arrived with Mr. Terumi Kajiya, a Nagasaki survivor. This chance meeting at the very pit where the bomb was loaded that destroyed Mr. Kajiya’s city provided an extraordinary backdrop for this meeting as late evening shadows crept across the historic tarmac. Here was a man who helped assemble the atomic bombs and a Japanese Hibakusha looking into each other faces, eyes locked on each other, reading each other’s expressions, and speaking from their hearts, through interpreters. The gathering crowd stood transfixed awaiting possible confrontation, but, again, there was only earnest dialog. Poignant questions were asked and opposing views were aired. At the end of the amazing conversation, Mr. Kajiya and Mr. Smith rode back together in the same van to San Jose. This unscripted meeting seemed to epitomize the hopes and vision of the event planners.

This process was repeated when the two USS Indianapolis survivors, Woody James and Mike Kuryla, met with the Japanese. These two men had their ship blown out from under them after delivering the atomic bomb components to Tinian. They spent almost five days in the water, watching hundreds of their fellow crewmen die of exposure and being eaten by sharks. Yet, they also spoke of how 60 years has given them the perspective to consider forgiveness. As Woody James stated, “In the twilight of my life, I don’t have to forget, but I would like to forgive.” The event was organized so that Japanese and American veterans could meet with each other, if they so desired. There was no pressure to make veterans do anything they did not want to do, as meetings were all voluntary.

I have been to countless veteran reunions in the United States and in the Pacific. For the most part, the two former enemies have been separated from each other. My father was a 4th Marine Division veteran of Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima and my uncle was a 67th Seabee who built the runways on Tinian. Although my attitudes toward the fighting are tempered by deep family involvement and decades of research and study about the brutal nature of the war, I believe that the efforts to stage an event like the Tinian 60th was a unique and worthwhile opportunity for the participants. Many will never be able to come to the Pacific again due to their infirmities and age. Even if they did not speak to each other, they were able to see each other in the lobby and come face to face with the enemy of 60 years ago. They saw how each had aged, they saw scars on each other’s faces from bullet wounds, and they saw the pain etched into each other’s eyes from long ago. This is powerful stuff. If you don’t believe it, ask any of the veterans or family members who attended how they felt about the event.

Since returning to Maine, I have received many correspondences from the U. S. veterans indicating what a great experience the 60th was for them. In the July 24, 2005 issue of the Japan Times, it was reported that “75 percent of Japanese said the atomic bombings were unnecessary, while 68 percent of the U. S. respondents said they were unavoidable to bring the war to an end.” The issue 60 years later is still controversial and will likely stay that way forever. The best course for understanding the events is for each person to learn as much as possible about the causes of World War II, the history of the campaigns, the ideology of Japan and the U. S. and the Manhattan Project, which lead to the deployment of the atomic bombs.

The recent events on Tinian provided just such an opportunity. There were many veterans in attendance who were “walking libraries” of information. There were men present who helped assemble and drop the atomic bombs. Veterans like Dr. Harold Agnew, an internationally recognized authority on nuclear weapons and a former director of the Los Alamos laboratory where much of the work on the atomic bombs was performed, gave the event genuine authenticity. Film teams recorded over l30 hours of interviews, testimonials, and events. Programs from this footage will help enlighten new generations of CNMI people on the complexities of the momentous events, which occurred on Tinian. Had there been only one side covered, the story would have only been half told, leaving an historical void.

In addition, the Office of Historic Preservation, under Director Carmen Sanchez, spent months clearing off historic sites, some of which have never been seen since WWII. For instance, the hardstand on which the Enola Gay parked after her Hiroshima mission and where the famous pre- and post-flight archival photographs and film footage were taken, is now clear of jungle. These famous images now grace many history books and documentary films. This famous hardstand is now open for schoolchildren to go and stand in the middle of true “footprints” of history. There was also a wonderful museum quality exhibition of photographs, relics, and memorabilia included in the event. There was a continual showing of various documentary films concerning WWII in the Marianas in this display area.

As the U. S. and Japan face the problems of the 21st Century in the pacific region, the festering wounds of WWII will continue to affect events. U.S. veterans charge that Japan still avoids taking responsibility for initiating hostilities and committing countless atrocities. As recent protests against Japan erupted in China, we are reminded that many nations still harbor bitter feelings about WWII. The Japanese believe that the use of the atomic bombs was unwarranted. Events such as the 60th on Tinian will prove to be stepping stones to better understanding between our nations and hopefully lead to a future in which our children will have all the information available to make intelligent judgments about those bloody years of WWII.

Professor Anderson Giles
University of Maine
Presque Isle, Maine