Customer Reviews

GI Joe Doesn't Live Here Anymore: A History of Clark Air Base, America's Mighty Air Force Bastion in the Philippines

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Anytime USAF personnel, past or present, meet and someone mentions Clark Air Base, ears pick up, adrenaline flows, and the war stories commence. There is no other military installation in the world that has spawned more legends, characters, truths, lies, or memories. No person who was stationed at Clark is ambivilant about their tour in the Philippines, it was either love, or hate, there is no in between.
Tom Utts delves into the Philippines and the bases turbulent histories, and the love-hate relationship that developed over the years since the US Army arrived in 1902 and the bases closure in 1991. Tom paints an honest picture of life in the Philippines, and at Clark during the period leading up to World War II, the horrors of the Japanese Occupation, and the Liberation of the Philippines. But the real story Tom tells is the story of the men and women who were stationed in the Philippines, especially at Clark Air Base. They told their stories to him, and he has related their stories as if they were telling them to the reader. As strange and unbelievable as some of them are, they only scrape the top of the barrel.
As I read the book I remembered standing guardmount as my fresh uniform wilted and streams of sweat ran down my legs, the smells of food cooking in Balibago or Sampangbato, the cold refreshing taste of that first San Miguel after work, the horrible hangovers, the laughter of girls in the bars, the flooded drainage ditches after a sudden rain, driving in an open jeep during a typhoon, 3 bar-b-ques on a stick for a peso, and my friends, Ken, Carl, and Chuck.
Strange I was there for eighteen months and never heard the word "Pinatubo". But, Tom showed me the terror and destruction showered on Clark and the Philippines by the Pinatubo eruption, and the base closure.
I'd love to go back to Clark, it would be a bitter-sweet trip. But, at the same time I know everything I remember has long vanished, and will never be again. Clark Air Base shall remain a memory of times when I was young, foolish, and lived the most unforgettable eighteen months of my life.
As Bob Hope always said, "Thanks for the memories, Tom".

If you were ever stationed at Clark Air Base, P.I., then you understand what a magical, mystical place it was. I was a young, single airman there '64 - '66, working as an air traffic controller in the control tower. Those years at Clark cannot be relived ever again. However, Tom, with this book, has done a wonderful job of letting us revisit the memories of that time. It is also a very interesting history of the entire period of Clark's life. Thanks Tom.

I lived in the Philippines for twenty years between 1971 and 1996, and returned in 2003. Most of my time was spent at Clark AB and Camp John Hay. This book brought back plenty of memories, especially of Operation Homecoming and of Howie Seaboldt. In 1973 as a member of the 405th SPS gate section (wearing blues and white boot laces) I guarded Pres Marcos when he came up to see the POW's. Mr Utts chapter on the operation was the best in the book. From 1981-1985 at John Hay, I would often proofread Howie's articles for the base newsletter, and learned a lot about the history of Baguio and the USAF's premier recreation center. Later on 28 Oct 87 as Supt of Town Patrol at Clark, I was on the desk when the assassinations occurred.

An excellent book covering the best and worst times at Clark Air Base. Thoroughly enjoyed the stories and will be passing to my children so they can learn a little of what life was like for us over there.

A must read for anybody who was lucky enough to have been stationed at Clark Air Base. I couldn't put it down. It was interesting from beginning to end. Brought back a lot of fond memories.

Thomas Utts hits the nail on the button here, it is hard to put this book down, and so full of interesting information that I had never heard anywhere else before. The detailed stories about the Mt. Pinatubo eruptions of 1991 are gripping and remarkable. As a person who was stationed there I felt like I was back in the P.I. again..wow, it was so amazing it really felt like I was transported in time and back at Clark again. Thanks for the great memories. The rumours, the truths, all covered here..and there are so many. I was there and tried my best to know the history about Clark Air Base, and this book teaches me so much that I never knew. If you want to know the inside thinking of many of our servicemen who lived through history, this is a must read. If you want to read a historical book about America's greatest foreign ally, read this. If you like a book that it punchy and keeps you reading page after page, get this book. I really liked this book and I strongly recommend it, it will open your eyes and make you laugh too. Great job!! I definitely will return to Clark and bring this book!!

For many long years I've searched for news of Clark and the P.I. I spent too much time there not to want to stay with the place. This book was a breath of air for that search. Personally I was happy the author didn't spend a great deal of time on the early years of the base. I appreciate history as well as the next person but I was fascinated by the personal stories more than the stats. A note here is appropriate, I appear in the book so I may be somewhat biased.
It's an easy read and by that I mean the author makes it easy to absorb a great deal of information, mood, and setting. The good and bad, sweet and squalid, all parts of the PI I remember. I can almost smell it. He is able to make the place come alive like only some one who has been there can. For me it's a good wrap-up for the search.
The only thing left is to go back. In the meantime, this book will suffice.

It was better than I thought it might be. Amazing that I spent almost 2 years (22 months, 28 days-involuntarily extended to DOS) from November 66 to July 68 and knew so little about the base itself which the book does present a good deal of historical information. It was great reading about some of the stories. Very pleased that Col. Utts took the time to write a book about an experience that not many would be interested, unless, of course, you were a GI in the PI.

this book brought back many memories of what it was like to live, work and play at clark afb during the 60's and 70's.

For those of us that were lucky to have been assigned to Clark AB, this book will bring back a flood of memories, lots of laughs, and a few tears. Captain Utts' book provides an in depth history of Clark. More important, it provides a look at the base through the eyes of those men and women that served there. It tells of how they lived, loved, fought, and, in some cases, died, at Clark. I read it cover to cover in one setting-it was to good to put down!