Memories of dad lost in Korean War revived
By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer
When Josephine Wong read about James Aki's desire to find people that had memories of his father, the 74-year-old Kailua woman knew she could help.
Advertiser library photo • June 25, 2001
Her memory was sharp when she thought of Aki's father, Clarence Halona Aki. When Wong was 18 years old and living in Kapahulu, Wong's older brother, Ben Ayala, introduced Clarence to her in 1945.
James Aki found more information about his late father from a Kailua woman who was his dad's former girlfriend.
She said Clarence was her first love and her first boyfriend. They went out for almost a year.
"The first time my brother brought him over, I just looked at this handsome guy and said, 'Oh my God,' " Wong said. "Everything led to us getting closer and closer, and we just used to spend a lot of time together.
"He was quiet, but he was just a nice guy. Very kind and very thoughtful. Oh, he was just the best."
When Aki heard Wong's description of his father, the 54-year-old Wai'anae man giggled like a happy child.
"That's why I'm so relieved now, since I can say that I know somebody that knew my dad," Aki said. "They can keep telling me more about him."
His father was killed on Dec. 20, 1950, during the Korean War, and Aki at age 2, was left with no memories of the man. There also were no relatives around that could tell Aki anything.
For years, Aki searched for anyone or anything that could shed some light on the life of his father.
"There were times where I thought I reached a dead end," he said. "Sometimes, I wished my dad never died, so I wouldn't feel any more sadness."
Aki found one veteran, Martin Pestana, after he visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific Monday to commemorate the 51st anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War.
That was only the beginning. Now, Aki can fill in the blanks with the memories of his father from Ayala and Wong.
Ayala said when they were younger he and Clarence were inseparable. The two also worked together as mechanics at Hickam Air Force Base.
"He was like a brother to me," Ayala said. "We'd go to work together, we'd come home together. We always used to go to the beach and have a few drinks. We'd go to the dance hall and bowling."
Clarence would also always eat dinner with the Ayala family, Wong said.
"Those were happy times, and mom used to really like him," Wong said. "We used to have so much fun; I treasure those times."
But even with all the fun, there was always a looming air of war hanging above their heads.
"You know when we'd go out, we'd take our gas masks with us," Wong said. "We carried them with us wherever we went. We had to be careful."
When Wong and Clarence broke up, Ayala continued to keep in touch with his best friend.
The last time Ayala saw Clarence alive was in 1949. Clarence served as Ayala's best man in his wedding.
"I remember when he volunteered (for the Army)," Ayala said. "He said to me, 'Eh, let's go volunteer,' but I never like. After that, that was it. I always was hoping to see him again, but he didn't come back. For a long time we didn't know what had happened to Clarence."
For months, Clarence was declared missing in action. On Dec. 20, 1950, Clarence's family was notified that he was killed while serving for the Silver Nickle 555 Artillery Battalion.
Ayala and Wong said they never forgot Clarence and continue to think of him today. They want to meet Aki in person, to share their memories of Clarence.
Aki was ecstatic when he heard the news.
"Oh, I feel more alive, I'm real happy," he said. "I used to just have all this darkness in my heart, but I feel all this light now. It's just like I received a billion dollars."
