Photograph
The Fita Fita Band
| Robert Doyle wrote a caption for this image although it was not published at that time, "Fita Fita guard turns out daily at 8:00 a.m. for color raising ceremony. Pictures were made as band and riflemen marched to flag pole to execute precision drill which naval commandant, Captain Ralph W. Hungerford, says is as good as any U.S. marine or army drill he has ever seen. Sharp coral pebbles do not seem to bother barefoot guardsmen." Additionally, he wrote the following in an article that appeared in the Milwaukee Journal on March 17th, 1945. "Every morning at 8 o'clock the Fita Fita band and riflemen march to the flag pole at the Navy Headquarters and raise the colors after a drill that would make any regular Army or Marine outfit take notice. The Fita Fitas are barefoot, too. They receive the same pay as other men in the United States Navy, including 20% overseas pay for enlisted men, although they are not permitted to serve outside their home island." The Fita Fita Guards were a special navy unit of indigenous Samoans. Buildings and palm trees are visible in the background. The base was located on Tutuila, American Samoa. |
| Image ID: | 100626 |
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| Creation Date: | 02 28 1945 |
| Creator Name: | Doyle, Robert |
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| Collection Name: | Robert Doyle papers, 1935-1974, 1995 |
| Genre: | Photograph |
| Original Format Type: | negative, original |
| Original Format Number: | M99-114, box 8, roll 44, neg 4407 |
| Original Dimensions: | 2.375 x 2.375 inches |
| Robert Doyle was a civilian war correspondent for the Milwaukee Journal during World War II, covering the experiences of Wisconsin troops in the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division, an infantry division of the United States Army National Guard. The "Red Arrow" Division consisted mainly of soldiers from Wisconsin and Michigan. |
| This image is © copyrighted property of Journal Sentinel Inc. and is provided by the Wisconsin Historical Society subject to contract. Use of the image requires written permission from the staff of the Collections Division. It may not be sold or redistributed, copied or distributed as a photograph, electronic file, or any other media. The image should not be significantly altered through conventional or electronic means. Images altered beyond standard cropping and resizing require further negotiation with a staff member. Please Credit: Wisconsin Historical Society |
| Location: | Wisconsin Historical Society Archives, 4th Floor, Madison, Wisconsin |
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