Honey Bucket Special Pup Tent 1 was instituted in 1954 at the Yates-Gonzales VFW Post 9612 at Atsugi, Japan. Original members of Post 9612 were Navy Sea Bees constructing the  Kamiseya Communications Station, but the area was generally referred to as Atsugi. Shavetails on the original Charter included: 1. Charles E. Mollett, 2. Henry M. Knowles, 3. Richard H. Cormier, 4. Richard E. Liston, 5. Clyde R. Hall, 6. Luther R. Payne, 7. Gilbert D. Thomason, 8. Raymond L. Kemp, 9. James T. Walters, 10. Ray C. Mix, 11. Clarence L. Manuel, 12. William L. Sachs, 13. Sidney G. Harris, 14. Walter F. Sigler, 15. Tracy M. Simmons, 16. Charles E. Sprayberry, 17. John H. Ecklund, 18. Manson Cowe, 19. Ray S. Miller, 20. Claude E. Greenshaw, 21. Louis S. Brune, 22. Guy Russell, 23. Walter P. Lermen, 24. William A. Sequira, 25. Floyd H. Swiney, 26. Harry M. Leong, 27. Norman W. Vaughan, 28.  John H. Armstead, 29. Aldean Gutherie, 30. Gerold E. Strong, 31. Hubert E Trotter, 32. Amos Laredo, 33. Paul L. Logan, 34. Douglas D. Palmer, 35. Jack F. Handrix, 36. Felix A. Von Magnuss, 37. Adrian W. Hinely, 38. Albert A. Spille, 39. James L. McDonald, 40. James W. Cothran, 41. Millard F. Nixon, 42. Worth H. Norton, 43. Wilber A. Witte,  44. Robert J. Simpson, 45. Gerold C. Gay, 46. John Hammons, 47. Vernon G. Lynch, 48. Henry D. Silka, 49. Joseph J Lugo, 50. Francis R. Calnan, 51. Willie E. Musa, 52. Paul Newman,   53. Donald E. Hamilton, 54. John H Case, 55. Purvis J. Kelly, 56. Orvel N. Weyant, 57. George F. Richer, 58. Frank H. Scolinos, 59. Dale Y. Park, 60. Kenneth Bombard Jr., 61. Walter T. Nagle, 62. Lawrence E. Shoenrock, 63. John William Harvey, 64. James William Morley, 65. Wayne Edward Burris, 66. Edward F. Riley, 67. Joseph A. Mora, 68. Francis W. Potter. The Charter was signed by Raymond Burke – Supreme Commander and James K. Cole – Supreme Adjutant.

– Future Grand of Japan Commander Paul E. Newman was initiated into PT1 on 7 November 1954 as Cootie #52 while the Pup Tent Charter was still open. A Military Order of the Cootie provisional Grand of Japan was established in April 1963. The first Scratch of the provisional Pup Tent was held in conjunction with the Far East VFW Department Convention at Yokohama, Japan, 24-27 April 1964. The Grand consisted of four Pup Tents in mainland Japan:

• Honey Bucket Special – Pup Tent 1, located with Yates-Gonzales Post 9612 at Camp Zama, Japan. –  Seam Squirrel: Howard Dupont – Torri Geisha
• Pup Tent 2, located with Post 9450, Tokyo, Japan. –  Seam Squirrel: William Jones – Butterfliers
• Pup Tent 3, originally located with Post 3861 at Hakata on Itazuke Air Base, Japan. It then moved to Johnson Housing Annex, Johnson Air Base, and located with Post 9555. –  Seam Squirrel: Nick Theodopoulos –  Benjio Honchos
• Pup Tent 4, located with Post 9794 on Tachikawa Air Base, near Tokyo –  Seam Squirrel: Alex Radgosky

The following slate of officers was elected: Commander: Paul Schumann, PT1 Blanket Bum: Howard Dupont Hide Gimlet:  Leon Caslin Grand CCDB:  Wood Bousman Grand Shyster:  Franklin Warren Pill Pusher:  Maurice Creegan Sky Pilot:  Leonard Hipple KCR:  Lee Kavetski Scratch Site:  Yokohama, Japan   –          A five member Grand Council of Administration was elected.  This CofA was comprised of James Macke, Wayne Lewis, Howard Davis, James McCarthy and Arthur McMasters.   Commander Schuman was Past Seam Squirrel of PT1 and a Supreme Deputy Inspector. Prior to the 2nd Grand Scratch in May of 1965 two more Pup Tents were established. Effective 27 December 1964, “Kojiki Shiramis” Pup Tent 5, Yokohama, Japan was instituted.  Cootie Paul Schumann assumed duties as Seam Squirrel. On 16 January 1965, “Survivals” Pup Tent 6 was instituted at Itazuke Air Base, Japan by Grand Commander Elmer L. Matheke.  Cootie Charles D. Black was installed as Seam Squirrel. In 1966 the Military Order of the Cootie formerly came to the Pacific with the institution of the Grand of Japan and was comprised of Pup Tents chartered on Mainland Japan. Pup Tent 1 was located at Yates-Gonzales Post 9612, Camp Zama, Japan, having moved there from Naval Air Station, Atsugi in March 1962.

1964 –1965

Seam Squirrel – Leroy J. Giggey Blanket Bum Hide Gimlet CCDB – James Baygents Hospital Chairman VFW Booster Chairman

1965 – 1966

Seam Squirrel – Sam A. Giron Blanket Bum  – William B. King Hide Gimlet – Jesse F. Harvey CCDB – Leroy J. Giggey Hospital Chairman VFW Booster Chairman

1966 – 1967

Seam Squirrel – Millard F. Nixon Blanket Bum – Elmer L. Matheke Hide Gimlet – Max E. Ruggles CCDB – William B. King Hospital Chairman – Robert F. Adams VFW Booster Chairman – Elmer L. Matheke Installation conducted by Harold Oppenheim – Supreme Deputy Chief of Staff, assisted by Grand Commander Howard C. Davis and Supreme Aide-de-Camp Arthur Koshikorian

1967 – 1968

1968 – 1969

Seam Squirrel – Frederick Cagney Blanket Bum – Paul E. Newman Hide Gimlet – Ellsworth D. Sheridan CCDB – Howard C. Davis Hospital Chairman – Paul E. Newman VFW Booster Chairman – Elmer L. Matheke Installation conducted by Thomas E Stitt – Grand Senior Vice Commander.

1969 – 1970

Seam Squirrel – Dawson L. Huff Blanket Bum – Paul E. Newman Hide Gimlet – Nels Tromburg CCDB – Joseph C. Arch Hospital Chairman – Dawson L. Huff VFW Booster Chairman – Elmer L. Matheke Installation conducted by Supreme Commander Jean R Belsford. Former Seam Squirrel and Post Commander Millard F Nixon passed away 1 July 1969

1970 – 1971

Seam Squirrel – Paul E. Newman Blanket Bum – Nels Tromberg Hide Gimlet – Thaddeus Walczak CCDB – Walter T. Anderson Hospital Chairman – Dawson L. Huff VFW Booster Chairman – Elmer L. Matheke Installation conducted by Supreme Commander Frank C. Brausch.

1971 – 1972

Seam Squirrel – Dewayne E. Ehret Blanket Bum – Walter T. Anderson Hide Gimlet – Thaddeus Walczak* CCDB – Dawson L. Huff Hospital Chairman – Cheeney O. Gottschalk VFW Booster Chairman – Elmer L. Matheke Installation conducted by Past Grand Commander Elmer L. Matheke. *Thaddeus Walczak passed away in December 1971. In April 1972, Post 9612 was renamed Millard F. Nixon VFW Post 9612.

1972 – 1973

Seam Squirrel – James L. Bartley Blanket Bum – Donald O. Cook Hide Gimlet – Michael L. Sullivan CCDB – Elmer L. Matheke Hospital Chairman VFW Booster Chairman

1973 – 1974

Seam Squirrel – Ronald A. Sharp Blanket Bum – Francisco J. Torres Hide Gimlet – Raphael Villar CCDB – Elmer L. Matheke Hospital  Chairman – Vern E. Gabbert VFW Booster Chairman – James L. Bartley, Jr. Installation conducted by Grand Council Member Dawson L. Huff, Jr.

1974 – 1975

Seam Squirrel – Francisco J. Torres Blanket Bum – Raphael Villar Hide Gimlet – Hugh J. Ward CCDB – Bernard K. Murphy Hospital Chairman – Thomas M. Haley VFW Booster Chairman – James L. Bartley Installation conducted by Supreme Council Member #15 Guy H. Gale, Jr.

1975 – 1976

1976 – 1977

1977 – 1978

Seam Squirrel – Louis E. Herrin Blanket Bum – Marvin Schaus Hide Gimlet – Robert A. Moeller CCDB – William G. Alterfer Hospital Chairman – Roy C. Kinney VFW Booster Chairman – Dale T. Montieth ** In September 1977 Louis E. Herrin resigned his position as Seam Squirrel and Blanket Bum Marvin W. Schaus assumed the office of Seam Squirrel. Hide Gimlet Robert A. Moeller assumed the office of Blanket Bum. In November 1977 Steven T. Oshiro was elected to the vacant position of Hide Gimlet. Francisco Torres was elected to CCDB to fill the vacancy that had occurred in that position.

1978 – 1979

1979 – 1980

1980 – 1981

Seam Squirrel – James R. Breese Blanket Bum – Harold A. Fagan Hide Gimlet – Ralph L. Johnson CCDB – Howard B. Edgeworth Hospital Chairman – VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Grand Adjutant O.G. “Monty” Montgomery

1981 – 1982

Seam Squirrel – James R. Breese Blanket Bum – Howard S. Rosenbaum Hide Gimlet – Paul L. Morgan CCDB – Ralph L. Johnson Hospital Chairman – VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Past Supreme Council Member Guy H. Gale, Jr.

1982 – 1983

Seam Squirrel – Robert E. Taylor Blanket Bum – Howard S. Rosenbaum Hide Gimlet – Howard E. Redding CCDB – Daniel L. Taylor Hospital Chairman – Donald F. Newton VFW Booster Chairman – John F. Mitton Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Howard S. Rosenbaum

1983 – 1984

Seam Squirrel – Walter E.Shade Blanket Bum – Robert E. Taylor Hide Gimlet – Donald F. Newton CCDB – Daniel L. Taylor Hospital Chairman – Steve Burger VFW Booster Chairman – James Green Installation conducted by Past Supreme Council Member Guy H. Gale, Jr.

1984 – 1985

Seam Squirrel – Robert E. Taylor Blanket Bum – Donald F. Newton Hide Gimlet – David Berthiaumo CCDB – Walter E. Shade Hospital Chairman – Robert Sova VFW Booster Chairman – Henry Hutchins Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Howard E. Redding.

1985 – 1986

Seam Squirrel – Donald F. Newton Blanket Bum – Paul L. Morgan Hide Gimlet – Robert Willcox CCDB – Walter E. Shade Hospital Chairman – Donald F. Newton VFW Booster Chairman – Henry Jukoric Installation conducted by Past Grand Commander Paul E. Newman. Cootie Dr. John Randall passed away in September 1985

1986 – 1987

Seam Squirrel – Paul L. Morgan Blanket Bum – Daniel L. Taylor Hide Gimlet – Robert Willcox CCDB – Walter E. Shade Hospital Chairman – Howard E. Redding VFW Booster Chairman – Daniel L. Taylor Installation conducted by Grand Jr. Vice Commander Howard E Redding.

1987 – 1988

Seam Squirrel – Walter E. Shade Blanket Bum – Fred Pommer Hide Gimlet – Robert Willcox CCDB – Daniel L. Taylor Hospital Chairman – Howard E. Redding VFW Booster Chairman – Daniel L. Taylor Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Walter E. Shade.

1988 – 1989

Seam Squirrel – Donald Newton Blanket Bum – Robert Stuckey Hide Gimlet – C. Lourant CCDB – Walter Johnson Hospital Chairman VFW Booster Chairman

1989 – 1990

Seam Squirrel – Howard E. Redding Blanket Bum – Donald F. Newton Hide Gimlet – Henry Hutchins CCDB – Thomas Washington Hospital Chairman – Thomas Washington VFW Booster Chairman – Howard E. Redding Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Walter E. Shade.

1990 – 1991

Seam Squirrel – Donald F. Newton Blanket Bum – Edward Jablonski Hide Gimlet – CCDB – Thomas Washington Hospital Chairman – Thomas Washington VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Howard S. Redding

1991 – 1992

Seam Squirrel – Donald F. Newton Blanket Bum – Joe Rynne Hide Gimlet – CCDB – Edward Jablonski Hospital Chairman – Edward Jablonski VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Howard S. Redding

1992 – 1993

Seam Squirrel – Donald F. Newton Blanket Bum – Edward S. Jablonski Hide Gimlet – Joe Rynne CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – Donald F. Newton VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Francisco J Torres.

1993 – 1994

Seam Squirrel – Edward S. Jablonski Blanket Bum – Joe Rynne Hide Gimlet – Jerry W. Payne CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – Donald F. Newton VFW Booster Chairman – Edward S. Jablonski

1994 – 1995

Seam Squirrel – Joe Rynne Blanket Bum – Jerry W. Payne Hide Gimlet – Linney J. O’Malley CCDB – Edward S. Jablonski Hospital Chairman – Jonathan Palmer VFW Booster Chairman – Edward S. Jablonski Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Donald F. Newton

1995 – 1996

Seam Squirrel – Richard Keeley Blanket Bum – Albert Chadwick Hide Gimlet – Joe Rynne CCDB – Ernesto Valadez Hospital Chairman – John Mitton VFW Booster Chairman – Joe Rynne Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Donald F. Newton. Pup Tent 17 (Chiisai Tomodachi), Yokosuka consolidated with Pup Tent 1.

1996 – 1997

Seam Squirrel – Richard Keeley Blanket Bum – Joe Rynne Hide Gimlet – Orville L. Rich CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – Orville L. Rich VFW Booster Chairman – Joe Rynne Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Donald F. Newton

1997 – 1998

Seam Squirrel – Richard Keeley Blanket Bum – Joe Rynne Hide Gimlet – Orville L. Rich CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – Orville L. Rich VFW Booster Chairman – Joe Rynne Installation conducted by Seam Squirrel Richard Keeley

1998 – 1999

Seam Squirrel – Richard Keeley Blanket Bum – Joe Rynne Hide Gimlet – Orville L. Rich CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – Orville L. Rich Installation conducted by Seam Squirrel Virgil E. Gann.

1999 – 2000

Seam Squirrel – Joe Rynne Blanket Bum – Don Carnahan Hide Gimlet – Sidney “Butch” Malone CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – Sidney “Butch” Malone VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Richard Keeley Pup Tent 4 (Benjio Honchos) Yokota, consolidated with Pup Tent 1. Prior to this date Pup Tent 2 (Torri-Geisha), Tokyo consolidated with Pup Tent 4 effective 29 June 1993, and Pup Tent 6 consolidated with Pup Tent 4 in 1972.

2000 – 2001

Seam Squirrel – Edward Jablonski Blanket Bum – Donald Carnahan Hide Gimlet – Sidney Malone CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley Hospital Chairman – VFW Booster Chairman – Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Richard Keeley

2001 – 2002

Seam Squirrel – Sidney “Butch” Malone Blanket Bum – Timothy Williams Hide Gimlet – Efrain Castro CCDB – Linney J. O’Malley VFW Booster Chairman – Richard A. Keeley Hospital Chairman – Humphrey G. Gaunce

2002 – 2003

Seam Squirrel – Robert Vagasky Blanket Bum – James Venzke Hide Gimlet – Herb Hooper CCDB – Barney Patsel Hospital Chairman – David Castro VFW Booster Chairman

2003 – 2004

Seam Squirrel – Herb Hooper Blanket Bum – Tim Williams Hide Gimlet – Richard Keeley CCDB – Barney Patsel Hospital Chairman – David Castro VFW Booster Chairman Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Richard Keeley April 2004 – Pup Tent 9 Okinawa consolidates with Pup Tent 1

2004 – 2005

Seam Squirrel – Herb Hooper Blanket Bum – Tim Williams Hide Gimlet – Richard Keeley CCDB – Barney Patsel Hospital Chairman – Richard Keeley VFW Booster Chairman – Barney Patsel Installation conducted by Past Seam Squirrel Richard Keeley. Cootie William Heath passed away in March 2004. Cootie James Royal passed away 24 November 2004

2005 – 2006

Seam Squirrel – Kevin Mitchell Blanket Bum – Bernie Kenna Hide Gimlet – Robert Riddoch CCDB – Barney Patsel Hospital Chairman – Kevin Mitchell VFW Booster Chairman – Kevin Mitchell Installation conducted by Grand Adjutant Richard Keeley. Cootie Raymond Misamore passed away in April 2006

2006 – 2007

Seam Squirrel – Kevin Mitchell
Blanket Bum – Bernie Kenna
Hide Gimlet – Robert Riddoch/Gil Gaunce
CCDB – John F. Johnson
Hospital Chairman – Kevin Mitchell
VFW Booster Chairman – Robert RiddockInstallation conducted by Grand Jr. Vice Commander Richard Keeley. Cootie Felicisimo Tio passed away on 16 December 2006 at the age of 100. Comrade Tio was the oldest member of the Grand and Department of Pacific Areas. Cootie William Killian passed away in December 2006. He was buried in Okinawa with full military honors.

2007 – 2008

Seam Squirrel – Bernie Kenna Blanket Bum – Gil Gaunce Hide Gimlet – Kirk McKnight CCDB – John Johnson Hospital Chairman – Kevin MitchellInstallation conducted by Grand Senior Vice Commander Richard Keeley. The Pup Tent finished the year at 101.38% in Membership, 100% of the Grand requirement, and 99.10% of the Supreme requirement. The Pup Tent also finished at 156% for National Home Special Projects and 105% for Hospital reporting.

2008 – 2009

Seam Squirrel – Gil Gaunce Blanket Bum – Kirk McKnight Hide Gimlet – Mike Lutman CCDB – John Johnson Hospital Chairman – Kevin Mitchell Booster Chairman – John Johnson Installation conducted by Grand Commander Richard Keeley. The Pup Tent finished the year at 98.0% in membership. The Pup Tent also finished at 100% for National Home Special Projects and 100% for Hospital reporting. Past Grand Commander Walter Johnson passed away on 28 November 2008 at the age of 95. The Pup Tent also lost Cooties Raymond Mazzucco and Eugene Peters.

2009 – 2010

Seam Squirrel – Kirk McKnight Blanket Bum – Mike Lutman Hide Gimlet – Joe Mortimer CCDB – John Johnson Hospital Chairman – Kevin Mitchell Booster Chairman – John Johnson Installation conducted by Past Grand Commander Richard Keeley. The Pup Tent finished the year at 102.8% in membership and at 100.8% of the Supreme requirement. The Pup Tent also finished at 184.11% for National Home Special Projects and 100% for Hospital reporting. The Pup Tent lost several Cooties this year. Those Cooties include Henry Hutchins, Harry Thomas, Lawrence Alsop, William Bozel, Jr., James Downey, Donald McMyne, Robert Moats, and George Molter.

Various Photos from 1954 to Present

Updates provided by PT-1 Cootie JJ Johnson on 30 April 2007.

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