Jon Crispin's Notebook

That’s my father in the middle.  He was born in Central City, Colorado one hundred years ago today.  He died on 14 August 2007. / I think I might have posted this photograph some time ago, but it is an image that is on the wall in my studio and I am really drawn to it.  The original is a 4″x5″ contact print and it is beautiful.

Apparently, the photographer was someone called Noyes and I assume he was using the standard Navy issue camera which was most likely a Graflex.  His pals were “Kinch” Kincheloe and Chuck Louin (not sure of the surname, it is hard to tell from the writing).

The date here is interesting as the Japanese surrendered on the 2nd.  My dad was on a ship next to the USS Missouri on that day.  Two days later he was in Yokohama Harbor, and shortly after that he and his pals were the first Americans on the island of Hokkaido.  The Navy had taught his to speak, read, and write fluent Japanese in about 18 months.  He was pretty good at languages.

Thinking of you today Dad.