To Learn American Ways

Once again, a little band of pioneering American women--some with children--landed on the shores of Tokyo Bay. They had no missionary purpose, no plan to propagate their way of life in the conquered land. All they wanted was to be with their husbands.

The first detachment was made up of Navy families. A rear admiral's wife and commanders' wives mingled at the ship's rail with enlisted men's wives. Taught by experience, the Navy had leveled caste distinctions during the voyage and on arrival at Yokosuka.

The conquered joined in the welcome. At the gangplank stood a committee of six delegates from the Yokosuka Women's Association, three in gay kimonos, who bowed gravely and offered greetings (in Japanese): "All the women of Yokosuka have been waiting to meet the wives. We want to learn American ways." As they eyed American legs, it was clear that they wanted to learn how to get rayon or nylon stockings.

The warmth of the Japanese reception was too much for four-year-old Mickey Driver. He stiffened with fright when one of the kimonoed women picked him up, recovered when his father, Commander Orvil Driver, told him to "Shake hands with the nice Japanese lady."

This week, 312 Army dependents arrived to join the Navy wives in roughing it. For high-ranking officers' families, there would be mansions commandeered from the Japanese; for others, apartments. For most of the junior officers and enlisted men there would be Quonset huts, most of them without kitchen or bath. GHQ was ready with pick-up and delivery laundry service and ice delivery for staff officers' families.

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