Direct cause of the fire has been established by Pacific Ocean Area Fire Marshal
Approximately 100 men were on duty in the building when the fire broke out. Twelve
Personnel who lost their lives were engaged either in rescue or salvage operations
Among the victims was LTJG Ernest D. Moody, USN, a veteran of 18 years naval service,
Another victim of the fire was Sgt. Paul C. Rodrigues, USMC, Co. "E" Marines
Others who perished in Building 25, were: CT3 Archie R. Garofalo, USN;
The hospitalized, all of whom were admitted to the U.S. Army Medical Center,
Captain James W. Pearson, Commanding Officer, announced that plans for clearing and
A pre-dawn fire which took the lives of 12 Kamiseyans - 10 Navy and
2 Marines -
and hospitalized an additional 14, completely destroyed Building 25 in this
Activity's
Operations Area at approximately 2:35 a.m. Friday, September 24.
Larry Duhrkoop of Pearl Harbor as an electrical short which ignited heavy support
timbers between the building's first deck ceiling and the second deck. Heat conducted
by heavy metal building studs eventually created sparks and embers which fell between
decks and walls and were scattered through the air conditioning ducts to all quarters
of the building before it erupted into an uncontrollable conflagration.
fire departments, military and Japanese, fought the blaze for nearly three hours
before bringing it under control.
or in trying to locate the source of the heavy and blinding smoke which preceeded
the actual and unexpected outbreak of the blaze.
who was attached to the Activity's Electronics Department. LTJG MOODY, who was the
Station Officer-of-the-Day at the time of his death, was serving his third tour at
Kamiseya having previously been attached here as a CT2 and CTC Maintenance man.
He is survived by his widow, Mary, two sons and two daughters. The family, which
resided locally in the Bayside Area of the Naval Housing Activity Yokohama (NHAY),
departed for their home in Florida on Tuesday. Funeral services for LTJG MOODY were
held in Arlington National Cemetery at 10 a.m. October 2.
Support Battalion, who resided in Kamiseya Gardens with his widow Electra and infant
daughter. Sgt. RODRIGUES, a six year veteran of the Corps, also will be interred
at Arlington.
CT3 Wayne E. Tower, USN; CT3 Gregory S. Williams, USN; CTSN Wilford D. Cordell, USN;
CTSN Dennis E. Etzweiler, USN; CTSN John D. House, USN; L/CPL Richard E. McKown, USMC;
CTSN James K. Whitman, USN; CTSA Roger W. Alex, USN; and CTSA William E. Briley, USN.
Camp Zama, for smoke inhalation included Marine Captain Roger L. Miner, Redford, N.Y.;
L/CPL Michael J. Frank, Lorain, Ohio; CT1 William S. Epling, East Beckley, W. Va.;
CT1 Richard D. Holt, Fayetteville, N.Y.; CT1 Aubrey A. McDowell, Ooltewah, Tenn.;
CT3 William J. Burns Jr., Courtland, N.Y.; CT3 John D. Gardner, Los Alamos, N.M.;
CT3 Dennis L. Kohlmeyer, Sumner, Iowa; CT3 Alvern S. Kraatz, Northbrook, Ill.;
CT3 Jerald F. Pickard, Dallas, Tex.; CT3 Maynard A. Shigley, Northfield, Minn.;
CT3 Robert S. Simkins, Vincetown, N.J.; CTSN Charles E. Cannon, Rockport, Ind.;
and CTSN David Carlin, Cedar, Minn.
reconstructing the area are already underway and expressed his deep appreciation
for the "splendid cooperation and assistance rendered by area military commanders
and Japanese firemen who joined with our forces in bringing the fire under control."
He also offered on behalf of the officers and men of the Activity sincere thanks for
the many expressions of sympathy and condolence which were extended by local
military commanders, representatives of the Prefectural and local Japanese
government, business organizations, and the many others who extended the hand of
friendship and assistance to the station during the period immediately following
the fire.