Importance of Okinawa

Okinawa was where Hodges stayed during his waiting period to be sent to Vietnam. It was in the southern section of Japan and was surrounded by islands. Hodges waited there, along with the other Marines, at Camp Hansen. The streets of Okinawa were packed with people, buses, cars, and bicycles. As Hodges traveled through the city, he noticed the closely built stores, steambaths, and bars. He spendt most of his time in the bar with the other Marines before his departure. If wounded in the war, the men were sent to the hospitals in Japan then back to Okinawa to await departure again for Vietnam.