Today, I am posting all of the on-base photos that "survived the cut" in my digital inventory.
Unfortunately, the years took their toll on my original photos. Therefore, I decided to delete many of the shots that I took on Da Nang Air Base because they were so damaged in one way or another as to be distracting. They would have required such extensive repair work, that by the time they were done, they would not have been accurate replicas of the original, as-shot photo, but would have instead become originals themselves!
The first Marines landed at Red Beach, Da Nang in April, 1965. I arrived on the airbase in November, 1965. President Johnson's big build-up had not yet begun to make itself fully visible. Some of us Air Force types were extremely fortunate to be assigned to billeting in one of the old concrete walled barracks built by the French. It was not only the closest location to my workplace on the flight line, but it was also close to the support facilities in the "cantonment area", I. E. the chow hall, the movie theater, the library, medical clinic, etc.
The barracks were configured in an H-shape, with 2 two-story legs housing the 4-person "cubes" formed by steel, personal wall-lockers and 2 steel framed bunk beds. The connector joining the 2 legs of the H housed the latrine, showers and cleaning supply closets. Each facility had Vietnamese "Mama-sans" assigned to take care of the housekeeping, which was definitely not up to USAF standards. But then, this was a war zone...
The 8 photos, immediately following this narrative, are those of my barracks, Building 4222B, located close to the main gate to the USAF base support compound. There were also U.S. Marine tents located in the areas between the 2 legs of the H. Since we "non-combatants" were not issued weapons, I assumed that the Marines were on base to augment the USAF Air Police for defense, in the event of an enemy attack. They also had access to the latrine and shower facilities, although during the heat of day, the "aroma" from the tent areas might lead one to think differently!
The next few photos are of "Tent City", which was where the majority of the base personnel lived, until the new wooden barracks were completed.
The remaining photos are in no particular order. Hopefully my captions are helpful. Is this a worthwhile project? Please let me know your thoughts about whether or not I should continue, and/or how I might improve it.
 |
| Barracks 4222B & Main Gate to USAF Compound. Marine tent to the right of traffic policeman. |
 |
| Back side of the Barracks, 4222B on far right. Another Marine tent by the bicycles. |
 |
| Barracks 4222B, showing connector on the left that housed the latrine and shower facilities. |
 |
| Building 4222B. A sample of some of the irreparable photo damage wrought over 50+ years. |
 |
| The main aisle running down Barracks 4222B, showing the steel wall lockers that delineated each "cube". |
