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1.
Some views of the 7th Radio Research Field Station (RRFS), August,
1966—June, 1967.
Our camp was a short distance from Udorn, Thailand and
Udorn Air Base. This view depicts our barracks. The tent
flaps are thrown up to facilitate air circulation. They would be pulled
down during the monsoon. |
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2. An interior view of enlisted men’s quarters at the 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, August, 1966—June, 1967. My suite is second from the top in this view with my camera case on the bunk. The quarters along with uniforms and clothing were kept very nice, thanks to our very good
Thai House-Girls that lived across the road in the Thai Boondocks.
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3.
Beer Softball Game, 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, August, 1966—June, 1967.
The
Operations Area is in the background, deuce-and-a-half
communications vans, parked in a carport-style, covered enclosure,
surrounded by a barbed wire-topped fence, and guarded by always vigilant
MP’s armed with M-16’s and .45 automatics. All the players, a great set
of young men, none better, are armed with one-each beer and all are
extremely competitive. If you recognize any of these guys, please make
contact and let me know. |
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4. One of
the guys from Camp, 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, pausing for a photo with
his local play-mates August, 1966—June, 1967.
We loved the Thai people and especially the kids. They always greeted
us with a big smile, and seemed to be happy all the time, even though it
looked to the typical American as if they lived in poverty. If you
recognize the young man in this view, please make contact and let me
know. |
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5. Thai
Construction Workers, 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, August, 1966—June, 1967.
We moved into the new barracks the month before I got an “early out” for
Summer School under the GI Bill. The troopers who followed us were
fortunate enough to live in very posh surroundings, thanks to these
ladies. I never saw the new Operations Building, except for a huge slab
of concrete out in the middle of nowhere. |
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6.
Thai Construction Workers, 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, Peg Driving Crew,
August, 1966—June, 1967.
It took a crew of nine to drive each peg. The new barracks is under
construction in the background. One of my best friends and myself, on
the way back from Udorn, after a day of fun, were invited
to participate in a Soccer Match by the Thai construction
workers. That was fun but it just about killed us, and we did not make
that mistake again. My Soccer Buddy, if you
recognize yourself in this story, please make contact. I would love to
hear from you. |
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7.
Another Friend, 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, August, 1966—June, 1967,
playing Catcher in the Beer Game.
We
worked hard and we played hard, and I know he is successful at whatever
he ended up doing, just like most of the other guys who were at Udorn at
this time. If anyone recognizes himself or anyone else in this view,
please make contact and let me know. |
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8.
Another Friend, 7th RRFS, Udorn Thailand, August, 1966—June, 1967, in
the Club House, conferring with our Bookies and having a few beers at
the Thai Horse Races near Udorn.
This was a definite highlight of my brief stay in Udorn. We would go to
the races at every opportunity, and these little guys would place bets
for us and keep us supplied with beer. They took their cut, but that
was all right. Afterward we would climb into a pedicab or
“samlor” and head for dinner of Roast Duck at our
favorite Chinese Restaurant. |
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9. Thai
Boxing, Udorn Thailand, while based at the 7th RRFS, another favorite
pastime.
These guys invented Kick-Boxing, long before anybody else
thought of it. I got lucky and caught this view right at the instant of
the Knockout Punch. We bet on the fights, too, needless
to say. |
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10. Tip Top
Club, Udorn, Thailand, while based at the 7th RRFS, another favorite
pastime.
The latest hit tunes were mouthed in English by very good Thai
Musicians. This is the first place where I heard “I Heard
it through the Grapevine”, one of my all-time favorites, almost
as good as Creedence Clearwater. |
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11.
Local Color, Udorn, Thailand, while based at the 7th RRFS.
Everyone generally has a big smile and seems very happy with their
situation. The men wear a sarong around the bottom and nothing on top
and bare feet. The women wear a sarong plus either a bra or nothing on
top and bare feet. The kids either go naked or wear shorts. Since most
Americans had no sarong, we just tended to wear shorts with thongs on
our feet. We wore a tee-shirt or knit shirt when we dressed up to go to
town. |
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12. Thai
Boondocks, Udorn, Thailand, while based at the 7th RRFS.
Typical Thai Hooch’s. The term, Boondocks,
maybe even Hooch’s, was coined by U.S. Soldiers
in the Philippines during the Philippine
Insurrection, about sixty years before this scene. My
Grandfather was one of those soldiers, but that is another
story. |
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13.
Thai Hooch, Udorn, Thailand, while based at the 7th RRFS, complete with
Water Buffalo.
The houses were built on stilts to protect occupants from numerous
crawling and slithering critters inhabiting the Thai Boondocks.
Hooch's that we lived in were patterned on those that local inhabitants
lived in. When a U.S. Military Vehicle ran over a
Water Buffalo, the Thai owner received enough compensation to
last a lifetime. |
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14.
Udorn Air Base, Udorn, Thailand, while based at the 7th RRFS.
View taken from the back of the van. We would go down there to the
Club and the BX, since our facilities were very
limited or non-existent. |