Chichi Jima is located in the center of the Bonin Island chain at about 27 degrees North and 142 degrees East. Chichi Jima is about 500 miles South of Japan and 850 miles North of Guam. The chain consists of three main islands and extends North and South for about 60 miles. The largest island of the group is the southernmost and is called Haha Jima and the most northern of the group is Muko Jima. Besides these main islands there are numerous smaller ones.

The Japanese claim to have known about Ogasawara Gunto (the Bonins) since the twelfth century A.D. However the first written records of the discovery of these islands was made by a Spanish explorer named Arzobispo in 1580. For many years the islands were known by his name.

In 1820 an American whaler commanded by a Captain Coffin landed on what is now Haha Jima. In 1825 and again in 1827 British ships landed on various islands of the chain and formally took possession in the name of the Queen.

In 1830 a group , consisting of two Americans, two Englishmen, one Portugese and about 20 Hawaiians, under the auspices of the British Council for the Sandwich Islands, arrived on Peel Island (Chichi Jima) to make a permanent settlement. Several times during the succeeding years the small colony was increased by deserters from the rare whaling ships that put in for reprovisioning.

In 1853 Comodore Perry stopped there on his way to Japan. He purchased a sizeable piece of land adjacent to Ten Fathom Hole with the idea of constructing a coaling station. In 1867 a group of Japanese arrived and this time better prepared for this type of climate, they remained. The original colonists were fairly well treated, though they were gradually eased away from the better land. The Japanese built up a rather extensive community with towns and farms on all the larger islands. It is estimated that at one time Chichi Jima had a population of about 7,000.

During this period of relative peace and prosperity most of the original colonists maintained identification with their mother countries. English was the accepted language while at home, though the children learned Japanese in school. Even today many of the older folks retain the "Harvard" accent learned from their parents. The colonists tried to keep to themselves as much as possible and discouraged intermarriage with the Japanese.

Begining in the early 1930's the Japanese Army began to fortify the islands. The first American bombing occurred in early 1943. Shortly afterwards, the Japanese evacuated all but a small handful of the civilian population to Japan. There the Bonin Islanders were somewhat discriminated against because of their caucasian features.

In December 1945 the United States Marines peacefully took possession of the Bonin Islands. Not knowing who was to have final control over these islands, the Marines destroyed and burned all equipment and buildings considered to be of military value.

In 1946, the Bonins, having been occupied and the residual Japanese military installations demolished by the 3rd Marines, were uninhabited. Three or four of the former inhabitants had been returned as witnesses at the war crime trials which were held on Guam.

These men resided on Chichi Jima at the site of the former town of OMURA, and included Fred Savory, Jerry Savory, and Willie Savory, all great grandsons of old Nathaniel, and Richard Washington, a grandson of the original Washington. These men all spoke English, even after a hundred years of Japanese occupation and they petitioned the Military Governor, Commander In Chief Pacific Fleet, for permission to return the descendants of the original families to Chichi Jima. As these people were decidedly unpopular in Japan and all desired to take up residence at their previous family homesite and return to their former way of life, this request was granted.

In late 1946, about 130 people were returned to Chichi Jima. Nothing remained of their previous dwellings, their property was littered with war time debris of every description. The utilites, water, electricity, etc., were all destroyed, and their existence boiled down to about the same as that which old Nathaniel Savory had started with originally. They had certain advantages over old Nat. Thee was plenty of scrap material lying around, the Marines had left a few usable quonsets, and some of these people were familiar with the terrain and the sea around the islands.

The United States Navy, having been assigned the responsibility of the administration of the island and its returnees wanted to assist in every way possible. So, while the islanders were constructing shelter from material available, naval personnel were assigned to help. This wasn't much at first, but in 1952, a Naval Facility was established and rehabilitation began to accelerate.

The islanders themselves had in the time elapsed since their repatriation made considerable progress. All had shelter of some sort, fish were being caught and dried for export to Guam and Japan. Turtles and longouste which are plentiful and of exceptional size were also sold.

Shortly after completion of the Naval Facility, a detachment of SeaBees, repaired the water system, set up and wired power and lights. They also procured large reefer boxes for fresh freezing fish and made the necessary arrangements for refrigerated shipping to Guam.

A construction program for island housing was put in place. This endeavor was immensely successful and accelerated to the point where a new home was completed every three days. Logistic planes arrived periodically from Guam with mail and passengers. Mail Order now became practical and the standard of living approached that enjoyed by rural sections of the United States.

A new school and new dispensary were constructed, and staffed by two civil services teachers who had arrived from Guam.

For 23 years, the U.S.Navy administered Chichi Jima and its sister islands; in 1968, they reverted to Japan. On the eve of that much discussed event the older people were worried.

"To tell you the God's truth," one of them said, "I wish they never would come back. We're content. The Navy has always treated us good. What more could we want?"

Young islanders, however, hoped that the Japanese would liven up Chichi Jima. They anticipated, perhaps too optimistically, instant resort hotels, tourists, new stores, and new faces to spice the quiet routine.

"The Japanese will be more active and progressive," 20 year old Diana Washington declared. But she added wistfully, "I guess there won't be much running around barefoot and picking oranges in the hills." ......................................................................