Today, Quarters 30 is located in the Nob Hill neighborhood of Ford Island, but it was one of the six original bungalows built for the Navy’s senior enlisted personnel and attached to the Naval Air Station on Ford Island. As such, it was built in 1923 in the Belleau Wood Loop neighborhood, about 1200 feet away, and moved decades later to the Nob Hill neighborhood. [i]
On December 7, 1941, Chief Petty Officer George L. Jones and his wife lived in Quarters 30, according to the sign in front of the home.
The history of Quarters 30 is often abbreviated to say that it was moved “for” the filming of “In Harm’s Way” starring John Wayne.[ii] However, it was moved much earlier — between 1943 and 1945.[iii] There is no documented reason for the move. However, in 1942 – 43, to right the USS Oklahoma, a series of cables and winches stretched from the area of Belleau Wood to the ships, prompting the construction of demolition of Quarters 27 and 67.[iv] The move also happened during the time (1943-45) that Quarters 69 and 90 were moved into the neighborhood and when the F5 berth was converted into a pier.[v] So, any of these occurrences might have prompted the move of Quarters 30 out of the neighborhood.
In Harm’s Way Starring John Wayne
In Harm’s Way, starring John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Patricia Neal, and Burgess Merideth, was filmed from June to September 1964 and released in 1965.[vi] It features the Nob Hill neighborhood, the pool, and many locations on Oahu. Quarters 30 served as the home to the lead character, Rock, portrayed by John Wayne.[vii] It’s widely believed that Quarters 30 was chosen as his home because it was smaller and would make him appear taller than if they were to use one of the other neighboring homes in Nob Hill.[viii]
Quarters 30 Today
Quarters 30 remains part of the Nob Hill neighborhood and has been home to junior officers for decades.
[i] Historic American Buildings Survey, H. (n.d.). (Dependent Quarters) (U.S. Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, Naval Station Ford Island, Facility No. 31) 31 Belleau Wood Loop Pearl Harbor Honolulu County Hawaii. https://www.loc.gov/item/hi0706/
[ii] Tourist Attractions. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://cnrh.cnic.navy.mil/About/Visiting-Hawaii/Tourist-Attractions/
[iii] Cultural Landscapes Inventory Ford Island CPO Bungalows Neighborhood and Battleship Row. (2020). National Park Service.
[iv] Ibid, p. 29
[v] Ibid, p. 29
[vi] In Harm’s Way (1965)—Filming & production—IMDb. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059309/locations/
[vii] ibid
[viii] (Tourist Attractions, n.d.)
