The Navy Years – Olongapo

During the Vietnam War the U.S. Naval Base at Subic Bay was the prime location for repair and supplies for the U.S. Seventh Fleet. Our carrier would return for supplies and R&R after launching strikes off the coast of Vietnam.

Just outside the naval base main gate was the city of Olongapo. As you approached the bridge over the drainage channel (known as shit river) you would see children diving for coins. On either side were booths to exchange dollars for Philippine Pesos.  The young women would bang out a rhythm on the counters with their hands and shout out for business.

After the money exchange as one entered the city were literally miles of bars and nightclubs. catering to the servicemen.

The photo below was taken in 1970 along the main road. I was a little leery about bringing my camera at night. I felt generally safe but someone did try to pick my pocket. It was easy to get around by grabbing a Jeepney ride for a few pesos.

The photo below is fairly representative of a typical evening at a nightclub in Olangapo. Cheap San Miguel beer, young women, music and sailors on liberty.  Most of the clubs had a floor show usually featuring something anatomical.  Photo courtesy of my  HC-1 shipmate Jim Bear.

I kept an empty bottle as a souvenir and had it my cubicle. When someone spied it they said only one thing… Olongapo?

It was a bit surreal being in such a strange place and dancing to a band playing  American Woman or hearing a Filipino vocalist do a perfect cover of  Grace Slck’s great White Rabbit .

I can’t believe how thin I was at that time. On the ship I was constantly going up and down ladders (Navy term for stairs) usually carrying some piece of communications gear. The heat and humidity was oppressive so I spent most of my time sweating. This photo was taken outside of Olongapo. Note the desktop 8-Track player on the table behind me.

Below is an aerial photo of Olongapo City from a Wikipedia entry