*****
Now
Available

*****

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

---

"Our town is dying after 90 years." That's the way the
Pacific Stars & Stripes described it when when the last
planes had roared down the runways and a shroud of
volcanic ash buried Clark.

Clark was certainly one of the United States most
important, colorful and historic overseas bases. Now
the story of what was one of the most fascinating and
exciting overseas military base assignments is available.

This nonfiction, "anecdotal" history of the GI experience
in the Philippines is told by people who were there. The
history of Clark is the story of the  thousand of people,
men and women, GIs and dependents, and Filipinos
who worked or lived near the base.

GI  JOE  DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE covers the
entire 90 year history, from the beginning of the 20th
Century, when  the  hoof beats of the Cavalry thundered
across the plains around Fort  Stotsenberg, to the dark
days at the start of World War II, to the tumultuous
second half of the 20th Century when Clark Air Base
provided vital support for America's wars in Korea and
Vietnam, to the final act-of-God ending of the eruption
of Mount Pinatubo.

If You Were Ever At Clark AB, Read Tom Utts Intimate History

In “GI Joe Doesn’t Live Here Anymore,” AFPAAA member Tom Utts has put together a very unique
look at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. He presents the Clark that so many of us knew from the
1950s until the Air Force formally closed it on November 26, 1991,in the aftermath of the Mt. Pinatubo
eruption, via the experiences of people who served there.

That is both the strength and weakness of the book. For readers looking for a comprehensive history
of the U.S. military, or even the Air Force in the Philippines, you’ll have to go elsewhere. From the time
of the Spanish-American War until Vietnam takes up less than a sixth of the book. But that’s OK.,
there are plenty of texts that cover the formal details of how the United States acquired the Philippines,
the battles with the Moros, its loss and recapture in WWII, and the granting of its independence.

What Tom has done is put together a series of vignettes from the 50s on, interwoven with a historical
time line. That gives us a very human, micro view of life at the base within a macro view of the events
being played out on the world stage in Asia and the Philippines.

There aren’t very many easily recognizable big names, either military or civilian, featured. Almost half
the book covers from the mid-70s to the departure of the Air Force from the Philippines – and that is
what gives the book its greatest value.

Through the stories of ordinary people and day-to-day events, the challenges faced by a succession
of Philippine leaders, both good and bad, and the United States are seen. The emergence of the
communist New People’s Army, the disparity of wealth among the people of the country, the
corruption in the government, and the impact of the failure of the United States to pay attention to
the effects of those things emerge on a very personal level.

The final hundred pages are where this book really shines. We see the incredulity of people in
grasping the enormity of the disaster Mt. Pinatubo has put upon them typified by a master sergeant
who after the evacuation order was given, stayed home to watch the NBA finals on AFRTS because
he “. . . didn’t believe we were really leaving.”

Tom doesn’t hide the ugliness of the Air Force’s departure – the confusion, crime, looting – but he also
shows the dedication of the “Ash Warriors,” as those who were charged with shutting down Clark
were named.

“GI Joe Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” is an interesting, informative, and best of all entertaining read.
 

                                                             TO ORDER:

 1. A copy with an autographed dedication by the author:                             $22.00
                                          Plus handling and mailing:                                      3.00
                                                                                                                      $25.00

2. CD copy of Scrapbook:                                                                              $17.00

3. Book and Scrapbook CD:  ( savings of $4.00)                                            $38.00
 

4.    SEND TO:      Thomas Utts
                             415 D ST APT 1
                             CHULA VISTA CA 91910

** Please include the name you would like the book/books dedicated to.

   *** Sorry, my stash of Colonel Truesdell's books has run out. ***
    If you are intersted in reading it, the WHOA -- Wagner High On Line
    Alumni group has the book posted on its webiste

       The Other Clark Classic:

 
 
 

"ANYTHING YOU SAY, SIR!"
    by Colonel William I. Truesdell

  Colonel Bill Truesdell, who died at the end of 2000, was
the base commander at Clark in the early 1970s. At the end
of his tour he wrote and published a wickedly humorous,
insightful account of events during that time. Over the years
the book became an underground classic for Clark groupies.

I was one of those lucky to serve with and know
Colonel Billy True, and was present at his autograph
signing party at the CBOOM, the Clark Officers Club.