Oblong Folio (ca. 36 x 26 cm or 14 x 10 ¼ in). 22 black cardstock leaves (six blank). 77 mounted gelatin silver photographs ca. 11.5 x 8 cm (4 ½ x 3 in), seven gelatin silver photographs loosely inserted ca. 11.5 x 8 cm (4 ½ x 3 in). Ca. 70 images with period ink captions on mounts. Period wood album with inset hand painted map of Japan and Japanese landmarks; all edges gilt; decorative endpapers. Several mounts detached from stub and rubbed on extremities, gilt edges faded; several images with minor tears on extremities, a few photos mildly faded, up to six images previously removed from album, but overall a very good album of interesting photos.

An interesting collection of photographs showing Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in 1953. The album was likely compiled by William “Bill” O. Zemaitis, who was part of the 54th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. Andersen Air Force Base was first opened in 1944 and has been continuously operating since. Andersen is a strategically significant US air base, being one of four “Air Force Bomber Forward Operating Locations.”  The squadron was based at Andersen and flew weather reconnaissance and supporting missions during the Korean War (1950-1953). It was first organized during World War II, in 1944, and would be inactivated and activated periodically until 1987.

Over 70 photographs show activity at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. They include a series of photographs showing a plane taking off (likely a B-36) from Andersen and a review, showing the base’s marching band, a “wing review,” and the compiler’s squadron. They also show locations on the base, including a “ham” (radio?) shack and its operators, the “Special Service Shack,” the base’s commissary, the compiler’s barracks, runways and hangars, and the base flooded after a typhoon. Also included are several photographs a series of photographs from a Christmas party, where Santa gave out presents to children, and a “Comm-Elect. Section Party.”

Other photographs (less than 10) in the album show Hawaii, including original snapshots of Waikiki Beach and a traditional Hawaiian war dance and greeting done shortly after the compiler’s ship docked in Honolulu. One photograph shows onboard celebrations from crossing the International Date Line.

There are also nine pieces of ephemera. Two pieces of ephemera are from the 1953 Christmas celebration at Andersen: a menu from dinner and a pamphlet for Midnight Mass. One is a certificate commemorating crossing the International Date Line. The remaining six pieces are newspaper clippings, likely from a paper published by the Air Force. They include stories on a B-29 crash (occurring on 17 December 1953 and killed 19 people in total) and the end of Operation Straggler (an operation to drive remaining Japanese soldiers on Guam out of hiding and to surrender), as well as a photograph showing the Special Service hut of the 54th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron flooded after a typhoon, a comic strip depicting “Boondock Basil,” a sign-off from Boondock Basil’s creator, and a headline reading “AF Tour Cut.”

Overall, a lively collection of photographs showing Andersen Air Force Base in 1953, shortly after the Korean War.