Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders: Proud to Serve Defending the Flag at the 14th Latitude Wanderlust: Shin Okubo Sailor Spotlight

Vice President visits Ronald Reagan Tricks of the Trade Sailor Spotlight 4-7

Tricks of the Trade 8-12

Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders: Proud to Serve 14-19

2 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 Table of Contents

Defending the Flag at the14th Latitude 20-23

Vice President visits USS Ronald Reagan 13

Leadership: CO CAPT Buzz Donnelly XO CAPT Paul Lanzilotta CMC CMDCM Jason Haka PAO LCDR David Levy APAO ENS Rachel McMarr Media LCPO MCC Xander Gamble Media LPO MC1 Woody Paschall Production LPO MC1 Greg Johnson Media Department: MC1 James Kimber MC2 Kenneth Abbate MC2 Nathan Hawkins MC2 Nathan Burke MC2 Brandon Martin MC2 Jamal McNeill MC3 James Ku MC3 James Lee MC3 Eduardo Otero Santos MC3 Charles J. Scudella III MC3 MacAdam Weissman MC3 Jamaal Liddell MCSN Randy Adams MCSN Tyler John MCSN Erwin Miciano MCSN Frank Speciale Wanderlust: Shin Okubo 24-35

May 2017| 3 Photos by MCSN Frank Joseph Speciale

4 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 May 2017| 5 6 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 May 2017| 7 Tricks of the Trade Story & Photos By MC3 MacAdam Kane Weissman

How does one prepare for months at sea? Many Sailors who haven’t been underway may be feeling nervous about the upcoming patrol. Deployments are demanding. Months of living in close quarters with 5,000 other people can spread

SN Seabag poses for a roster photo cabin fever. It also requires extra planning to complete ordinary tasks. Sailors have come before you and learned ways to better organize for the coming voyage. Secrets are passed down from salty sea dogs to the most green-horned pollywogs. Their knowledge spans what to bring, how to bring it, and how to plan. These experienced denizens of the deep have tips for all who need their hard-earned knowledge.

Here is what your shipmates had to say.

8 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 Q.)What is the most difficult part of deployment? A.)”In my personal opinion, the most taxing part of being underway is the uncertainty of what is going to happen while we are performing our mission,” said Electronics Technician Specialist 3rd Class Audrey Guy, from Latrobe, Pennsylvania. “One moment you could be working and going about your day and the next you could be dressed out, combating a blazing fire.” A.)”The most challenging part of underway is the long hours everyone works,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Cynthia Gonzalez, from Phoenix, Arizona. “We all have different jobs, but we all get exhausted working ‘X’ amount of hours in one day. The only break some of us get is lunch time, which may not be enough time to regain energy.” A.)”The hardest part is being away from my loved ones,” Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Kanchin Wu, from Irvine, California.

May 2017| 9 Q.)How do you prepare for unexpected challenges on deployment? A.) ”I start to buy personal items no A.)“Write a list of stuff and ‘lesson learned’ less than one month in advance,” said Hull from last underway. I will make sure to get Technician 2nd Class Adrisa Diaby, from everything I need,” Personnel Specialist 2nd Savannah, Georgia. Class Kanchin Wu, from Irvine, California.

Q.) What tricks are used to pack for A.) “I bring only what I need! Slowly but deployment? surely I bring stuff onboard every day. I just A.) “If you’re lucky enough to have a larger don’t want to rush it on the last day,” said Wu. shop like me you can always put the things you A.) “I always utilize my sea bags because like to have close inside one or two drawers,” it can be very spacious if cloths are folded said Guy. “When it comes to your rack, correctly,” said Diaby. organization is key. I always have pajamas that A.) “I literally roll everything like sushi,” said can also double as a workout clothes, thus Gonzalez. “I promise more things will fit in minimizing the amount.” your compartment. I also make sure to organize every morning. I am definitely OCD with how I store my items.”

10 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 Q.) What personal items and routines Q.) How do you keep up your uniform can help make deployment easier for items while underway? Sailors? A.) “I network with other Sailors and shop A.) “I take my Guitar, laptop, books and online,” said Yeoman 3rd Class Thomas Mahoney. movies,” said Diaby. A.) “I prepare everything I need before I leave,” A.) “I bring my [wireless] headphones and a said Wu. wide selection of music, my [game station] and [a hand held game system], a four-terabyte hard drive Q.) When is the best time to work out? full of movies and TV shows, and of course, the teddy bear given to me by my little sister when I A.) “In the morning at 3 a.m. when everybody is first joined,” said Guy. still asleep,” said Mahoney.

A.) “I go to the gym or give myself a facial A.) “I go any time I can after work,” said Diaby before bed,” said Gonzalez.

May 2017| 11 Q.) How can you get qualified on patrol?

A.) “Prioritizing your time on and off work and A.) “Check the POD (Plan Of the Day) to find communicating with your chain of command to classes and people to sign your PQSs,” said Wu. make your intentions known,” said Mahoney.

12 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 May 2017| 13 ASIAN AMERICANS, PACIFIC ISLANDERS : PROUD TO SERVE

Story by Jamal McNeill Photos & Layout by MCSA Erwin Miciano

14 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 A view of the Taal Volcano Island in Tagatay province of Cavite, Philippines.

May 2017| 15 ōng píng de fēng hé suí Month (AAPIHM). This year’s science, music, architecture and more. làng; patas na hangin AAPIHM theme is ‘Unite our voices They have played a vital role in the at mga sumusunod by speaking together’ and is focused shaping of America. karagatan;G and lalelei matagi ma on telling the stories of great Asian According to the U.S. Census le sami nei; are all phrases that an Americans and Pacific Islanders of in 2015, there were approximately average Sailor may not be able to the past to show unity. 277,000 Asian Americans serving in read, say or understand; however, “I think it is great to have this the U.S. armed forces. some of their shipmates may be able month because it allows people from “I didn’t know there were so many to. Each of these phrases, translates other cultures to understand our Asians and Pacific Islanders in the to phrases Sailors know well, ‘Fair historical contributions to America,” military before I joined,” said Chief Winds and Following Seas,” in said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Logistics Specialist Bilson Quilatan, a

A sunset off the shore of a beach in Lobo, Philippines

Chinese, Filipino and Samoan Bach Cao, a Vietnamese American, Filipino American from San Diego by respectively. from Pearland, Texas. a way of the Philippines. In May, the Navy celebrates and From their huge involvement in Quilaitan added that even though recognizes the contributions made the transcontinental railroad, with having people with similar cultural to America by people from the the majority of the workers being backgrounds is comforting, he also Asian continent as well as the Pacific Chinese immigrants, to the discovery encourages Sailors to learn about their Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, of the HIV virus, Asian Americans shipmates. and Polynesia by observing Asian and Pacific Islanders have made many “There are a lot of benefits in being American and Pacific Islander contributions to the advancement of able to relate to someone with the same

16 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 HM3 Cao performing daily duties inside ship’s Medical Record room

May 2017| 17 background,” said Quilatan. “Sometimes has been able to adapt to serving in the said in the Philippines. His tito served it is easier to talk to someone that Navy because it comes second nature as a Navy Store Keeper or ‘SK’, the has the same or similar culture and to treat his shipmates with respect and predecessor rate of logistics specialists, nationality as me, but learning about a follow the directions of his leadership. and he retired when Quilatan was person’s history will help with teamwork “Growing up in the Asian culture, beginning his Naval career. and camaraderie. People are more we are taught to put ‘we before me’,” “He was my inspiration in joining the willing to work hard for people they said Cao. “This helps us contribute to Navy,” said Quilatan. “I saw what good know and understand on a personal the military tbecause we understand the Navy brought to him.” level.” the shared goals and being a part of Cao being the first of his family to Cao added that being raised in an something bigger than ourselves.” serve in the military, he expects to leave Asian family, he was taught to put Quilatan has a direct family legacy a legacy for his future family members family first and respect his elders, so he established by his uncle or “tito”, as to follow.

18 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 “This month, along with other carrying out America’s mission. heritage months, allows us to appreciate For more information on AAPIHM the differences in cultures,” said Cao. visit www.apaha.org or www.eomi.org/ “It’s a way to celebrate our differences SpecialObservance/AAPIHM2017. and commonalities.” cfm From storming the beaches of USS Ronald Reagan is the Navy’s Normandy and battling in the Pacific only forward-deployed aircraft carrier theatre of WWII to treading the and is the flagship carrier of Carrier jungles of Vietnam and Korea, Asian Strike Group 5, providing assistance to Americans and Pacific Islanders allies in the Indo-Asian-Pacific region. have played, and without doubt, will continue to play a pivotal role in

May 2017| 19 Fitafita in uniform, c. 1942

Story by Matthew T. Eng Defending the Flag at the 14th Latitude: American Samoa, Fitafita, and the

introduction of Christian missionaries. show the flag under the Mahanian-like This stability led to a growth in settlers and notion of sea power, purchased the chain military personnel on the islands. Trade and of islands known today as American Samoa education began to prosper. The United in the 1899 Tripartite Convention with The proud history of the American States soon came to know the islands well. Germany. The eastern set of territories Samoan people traces back over 3,000 American whalers hunting in the sperm (Germany partitioned the western half years, long before any islander saw their whale hunting grounds stopped at the of the island chain now the Independent first naval vessel or merchant ship. The island chain for foodstuffs and provisions State of Western Samoa) included five main native population had a long held history during the height of offshore whaling in the islands and two coral atolls. of seafaring and pottery making along the Pacific. Commodore and Naval Administration archipelago, living undisturbed off the the United States Exploring Expedition The United States Navy began to sea and land under the leadership of the stopped off in the Samoan Islands in 1839 manage the affairs of American Samoa Fa’amatai, the chiefly governing authority to survey the region. Two vessels of the in 1900. Commander Benjamin F. Tilley of the Samoan islands. same expedition, USS Flying Fish and arrived at Pago Pago harbor to establish the “I go along with somebody who says that USS Peacock, were involved in a brief territory’s new naval administration. A new when Samoa heard that the US government bombardment of Upolu in 1841 following naval station was established at the harbor, was at war with Japan, the call came around the murder of an American sailor. known as Naval Station Tutuila. Under the and they offered their hands to help.” Tuala The island chain was not immune to the direction of the U.S. Navy, Tilley took on Sevaaetasi, Former Fitafita Guardsman myriad international rivalries that would the role of Governor of American Samoa. European contact with Samoan islanders eventually carve out large swaths of territory Other administrative posts within the came in the eighteenth century. The Dutch in the name of empire near the beginning “Island Government” were given to Navy and French were the first to vie for a foothold of the twentieth century. Disputes and officers and enlisted men. Governors were in the tropical paradise. This eventually led disagreements between unified Germany appointed directly by the President, and to a series of violent backlashes between and the United States eventually came to were directed to preside over all legislative, European explorers and Samoans. Tensions a head. Officials in Washington, eager for executive, and judicial matters on the calmed in the nineteenth century with the a slice of territory in the South Pacific to islands. Military Governors like Tilley

20 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 worked closely with the matai, Samoan tribal chiefs, to ensure the everyday niceties of the “Stars and Stripes” did not personally interfere with their own long-held rituals and traditions. Commander Tilley, a career officer with combat experience during the Spanish- American War, created an island control with two central governing institutions, a judicial system and the Fitafita Guard. In the native Samoan language, the word fita translates to “courage.” Others within the indigenous population translate the term to “soldier.” When placed together, the casual observer of Samoan culture gets a good sense of the unit’s importance. According to Dr. Robert W. Franco, an expert on Samoan/Pacific affairs at Kapi’Olani Community College, the Fitafita guard was set up by the U.S. Navy to “enforce court decisions and generally maintain order.” Members of the Fitafita guard were placed in the naval reserve. In the early years, the Story by Matthew T. Eng Navy handpicked the Fitafita Guard. Young natives and elites were attracted to the Defending the Flag at the 14th Latitude: prospect of service. Others came to join the ranks of the Fitafita band for their love American Samoa, Fitafita, and the United States Navy of music. The guard soon carved out their own military enclave in the South Pacific, serving both the U.S. Navy and their own people under a banner of mutual respect and admiration. The men of the Fitafita proudly served “with a full heart,” according to former Guardsman Tuala Sevaatasi. The Fitafita Guard had many of the same rights “One of the Navy’s most unusual units is the Fita Fita Band, at U.S. Naval and responsibilities of regular enlisted Station, Pago Pago, tutuila, American Samoa (All Hands Magazine, April 1949) personnel. Fitafita were given regular Navy organize a band. They quickly caught on. War, the Fitafita uniform had features of pay as well as 20% overseas pay. They were Seen in several surviving photographs today, both Samoan culture and common U.S. not, however, permitted to serve outside of their military drill discipline resembled the Navy enlisted personnel. Most Fitafita wore the home islands at sea, which made them world-renowned Marine Corps band. Many a uniform that consisted of a red cap, white more of an honor guard and ceremonial Fitafita were also highly proficient with the skivvy shirt, red sash, and white lava lava (a band than fighting unit. One source stated rifle, often besting competitive teams from type of long dress kilt) with blue chevrons. that some Fitafita guardsmen were given visiting militaries. This short excerpt in The Fitafita occasionally wore an alternate sea duty on an ocean-going tug during the Modern Samoa: It’s Changing Government blue lava lava dress uniform with red beginning of the outfit’s operation. and Changing Life discusses the impact and chevrons. The stripes sewn on the bottom The prestige of becoming a well- importance of the Samoan-born unit: of the lava lava kilt denoted rank. Personnel respected member of Samoan society drew “These performed duties as seamen and did not wear shoes. many indigenous men to service, especially bandsmen, and the example of their life Service in the Fitafita guard brought their musicians. The impressive seventeen- has been a major shaping force upon the a welcome source of cash flow for family piece Fitafita band developed musical local native youth.” (Modern Samoa: It’s members. Fitafita service remained a unique expertise, becoming a large influencer on Government and Changing Life, 133) avenue of employment for men in American the importance of blending Samoan and The Fitafita uniform is a distinctive Samoa throughout the 1920s and 1930s. American culture together. Navy musicians piece of U.S. Navy and Samoan history. Pago Pago became a center for economic from the United States were sent to Pago Unlike those who served in the 1st Samoan activity in American Samoa, with the Pago to teach and train the Fitafita how to Marine Battalion during the Second World American naval base in Tutuila at its core.

May 2017| 21 Image of Fitafita Guard courtesy American Samoa Historic Preservation Office Wage labor opportunities also increased naval station soon became a major base and nearby Upolo. The Fitafita became an during these years, augmented by a rapid of operation. Tutuila was the only armed essential part of home defense and were population growth. Island life improved, base in the South Pacific at the outset of instructed to “take the enemy forces under and a new generation of Samoans received hostilities. It was also deemed important for fire” in the event that another Japanese valuable technological skillsets that would its strategic location near the important sea- incursion. Other Samoans put to work benefit them later in life. lanes between Hawaii and . for food production, a vital component in More opportunities came to native Several ships were directly diverted to Pago fueling the war effort against Japan. The Samoans as the threat of war loomed Pago after the attack. Confrontation with continuous flow of sailors and Marines over the Pacific. The Imperial Japanese the Japanese at Tutuila seemed eminent. made the island’s rich natural resources a co-prosperity sphere directly threatened One month after Pearl Harbor, a Japanese necessity. Many Samoans worked long and the island’s stability. The importance of submarine surfaced off Fagasa and fired restless hours to fulfill the needs of the fleet. American Samoa grew critical in the early rounds onto the island. The submarine Plans to invade Samoa by the Japanese 1940s. Navy leadership accelerated the attempted to strike the valuable fuel tanks tapered off by the end of 1942. The pivotal rapid growth of industrialization felt in the in the village of Utulei. Only a U.S. Navy battle of Midway in June erased any hope for 1920s and 1930s. Plans for expansion of radioman and Fitafita guardsman were a concerted Japanese offensive in the region. Naval Station Tutuila began in late 1940. In injured in the attacks. It would be the last The Fitafita continued to drill and perform the event of war, Pago Pago would become hostile shots fired at the island. their duties, always ready to defend their a forward facility for the U.S. Navy and U.S. The naval buildup in Pago PagoSouth Pacific hamlet. By 1944, the base at Marine Corps. American Samoa and the continued to increase during the war. Pago Pago was downgraded back to a naval Fitafita were ready. According to one eyewitness account station. Activities remained quiet until the World War II during the war, ships increased from “three end of the war. The attack at Pearl Harbor in December in December, 1941 to fifty-six in December, The importance of the islands as a base of 1941 put all islands in the area on full alert, 1942.” By October 1942, there were nearly military operations waned after 1945. The including American Samoa. The sleepy 15,000 American servicemen on Tutuila U.S. naval base in Samoa officially closed in

22 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 1951. The last naval transport, General R. L. Howe, left the island on 25 June carrying many of the disbanded Fitafita guard to Hawaii. The territory was transferred to the Department of the Interior that year, as it remains today. Samoans looked for economic opportunities both on and off the island chain. Recognizing the rapid growth of wage-labor opportunities brought on by war, many migrated to Pago Pago, its territorial capital. Others went to Hawaii and mainland United States. Yet the heart and soul of the Samoan people remains in Tuitula. It was there that a small and elite group of Pacific Islanders proudly served in defense of American freedoms and ideals. As of 23 March 2009, twelve American Samoans have given their lives in defense of the United States. Many more proudly risk their own lives in the U.S. Navy. Today, the Navy estimates that sailors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage comprise approximately 6.5 percent of the active duty naval force. That number includes over 20,000 active duty sailors, 4,000 reservists, and 18,900 civilian employees. Preserving a Legacy The Naval Historical Foundation seeks to preserve the history and heritage of the Fitafita warriors for future generations to learn and enjoy. The National Museum of the United States Navy (NMUSN) is now in possession of a WWII-era Fitafita guard uniform. The Naval Historical Foundation, working closely with NMUSN, is seeking funding from generous donors to display the uniform in their “Japan Advances” section of the “In Harms Way: The U.S. Navy in World War II” exhibit inside the museum. The uniform would be displayed in a five-sided Frank Case. The case would house a mannequin wearing the historic and rare uniform. The figure will have, in addition to the lava lava/ loincloth, turban uniform parts, and white undershirt, a model 1903 Springfield rifle and cartridge belt. A graphic element on the back with interpretive text will accompany the model case. We hope that the uniform and exhibit will help to preserve the unique cultural bond between American Samoa and the United States Navy. The Fitafita Uniform at National Museum of the United States Navy.

May 2017| 23 TOKYO'S KOREATOWN

24 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 TOKYO'S KOREATOWN

Photos and Story By MC3 James Lee Layout By MCSA Erwin Miciano

May 2017| 25 Shin-Okubo, a neighborhood in Tokyo’s lively Shinjuku district, is home to spicy chicken shacks and brightly-lit cosmetic emporiums.

here’s a carefree vibe of belly, chicken and ribs that go with young-at-hearts enjoying beer or soju; distilled-grain liquor. Ttheir life, meeting friends In many U.S. inner city areas, for dinner, going out on a dates and it seems like there’s an Asian spending money for no important restaurant on every other block. reason. It’s a place where every Ironically, Koreans have American- evening, the sweet smell of style fried chicken and beer joints charcoal-grilled marinated, meat in almost every neighborhood. drifts through the air. Shin-Okubo offers dozens of This eat-and-drink district chicken restaurants that prepare is built around Yamanote Line’s their dishes in a myriad of unique Shin-Okubo Station, a train station flavors. one stop away from Shinjuku The cosmetic stores in the Station. While walking the busy neighborhood offer exclusive streets, you’ll hear the laughter and high-quality beauty products like chatter of good times following the makeup, lotions or facemasks, clinking and clanking of colliding for a reasonable price. It’s a good beers. The voices become jumbled place to buy gifts for yourself or a and incomprehensible as they’re special someone. overcome by the sounds of grub On some days, one might bump searing on hot grills. into a local K-Pop (Korean Pop Shin-Okubo is recommended music) boy or girl band that are for the adventurous food and drink handing out fliers for their shows. connoisseurs who are looking for They are usually followed by groups a change in cuisine. Many Korean of enthusiastic fans. If you like restaurants here tailor their singing yourself, you can always dishes to the Japanese palate, walk away from them into any of which is less salty and spicy and the karaoke bars to sing to your more sweet and mild. The scene heart’s content in English, Japanese is packed with barbecue joints or Korean. that set side dishes of fresh and pickled vegetables before grilling thick slabs of marinated steak, pork

26 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 GALBI is literally translated as “rib” in Korean. It’s usually beef short ribs marinated in soy sauce, garlic and sugar. Galbi has a smoky and sweet flavor, and it’s soft enough to fall of the bone easily.

May 2017| 27 28 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 Shin-Okubo was the setting for movies such as “Shinokubo Story,” a film about a local K-Pop group and “26 Years Diary,” a film based on the true story of a 26-year-old Korean student who died trying to save the life of a Japanese man who fell into the train tracks of Shin-Okubo Station. The actual event made headlines in international news and improved the relationship between Japan and South Korea. The neighborhood is a diverse place where on some nights you’ll see intellectuals and future diplomats from the neighboring district’s United Nations University dining together over grilled meat and draft beers to discuss forward-looking solutions, or to sow the seeds for a brighter future for the international community. The popularity of Shin-Okubo can be attributed to the love of food, drink and people. It seems that whatever relationship you have will improve over dinner here, because almost everyone likes to eat out in a place where other people are enjoying themselves too.

May 2017| 29 K-Pop or “Korean pop” music artists can be seen all over Shin-Okubo. They are painted on the walls of restauarants and displayed on the merchandise in music stores around the neighborhood.

30 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 May 2017| 31 Naengmyun is a cold dish made of buckwheat noodles and ice-cold broth. It’s topped Bibibap is made of rice, assorted vegetables, beef and a suuny side up egg. off with cucumber, pickled radish, Asian pear and served in a stainless steel bowl.

32 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) Chap chae or “glass noodles” is a party food that is made from sweet potato noodles that are stir fired in sesame oil with vegetables.

May 2017| 33 How to make S S A M

Ssam starts off with a lettuce leaf that will be used as a wrap. Then, add barbecue and whatever side dishes you want.

Condiments, such as red pepper paste or soybean paste, are added before it’s wrapped into a bite-sized ball.

34 | The Seventy-Sixer May 2017 May 2017| 35 Vice President Michael R. Pence departs through the ceremonial quarterdeck of USS Ronald Reagan. (Photo by MC3 James Ku) USS RONALD REAGAN

www.reagan.navy.mil www.facebook.com/ussronaldreagan @Gipper_76 @Gipper_76