Okinawa is the smallest and least populated of the five main islands of Japan. It is about 66 miles long and averages only 7 miles wide. Okinawa is about 400 miles south of the main island of Kyushu and the rest of Japan. It is 300 miles north of Taiwan. Okinawa has a wonderful humid subtropical climate.
The island of Okinawa has been a strategic location for the United States Armed Forces since the end of World War II. It hosts around 26,000 US military personnel, which is about half of the total complement of the United States Forces Japan, spread among 32 bases and 48 training sites.
Charles Oropallo has never been to Tokyo, Japan. Charles does, however, believe it would be a phenomenal experience.
The closest Charles Oropallo has ever been to Tokyo is Okinawa. And his stay on Okinawa still kept him about 950 miles southwest of Tokyo! When on Okinawa, Charles recalls other service members mentioning taking leave in Japan and visiting Tokyo specifically.
Charles currently lives in Peterborough, NH. He is roughly 7,502 miles from where he was stationed as a United States Marine at Camp Butler on Okinawa.
Charles Oropallo was stationed on Okinawa when he was on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Charles spent the latter part of 1971 and early 1972 at barracks in Camp Foster, Okinawa. Camp Foster was attached to Camp Butler, a United States Army base.
If Charles Oropallo ever has the opportunity to return to Okinawa he would certainly do so. Charles would still also love to visit Tokyo!
Watch here for more information about when Charles was in Okinawa – the closest he has ever been to Tokyo!