One Veteran Tipping Off Another
Once again, a veteran led me to my next interview and in this case it was last week’s featured veteran, Gary Simpson, who introduced me to Ken Asam. The introduction led to an enjoyable three-hour chat at his kitchen table. I found his story as delightful as he was.

Strong Work Ethic

Kenneth J. Asam was born on Oct. 9, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan where his family lived until 1945. The family moved to nearby St. Clair for two years before moving again to Jordon near Syracuse, New York.

Asam grew up in Jordon graduating on June 17, 1960 from Mount Carmel High School in nearby Auburn.

During high school, Asam worked part-time on a dairy farm where he learned to drive a tractor and a station wagon. He also worked as a dishwasher in his school’s cafeteria where he became the student manager, while simultaneously performing school photographer duties.

After graduation, Asam landed a summer job in Syracuse working for Carrier Corporation’s food service division, which parlayed into his future endeavors.

Asam intended to apply his strong work ethic in pursuit of his American Dream.

Greeting!
In September 1960, Asam attended Paul Smith College, a private hands-on college where he earned an associate’s degree in hotel management in June 1962. This led him to his first management job for Airways Inn Motel in Syracuse during 1961.

Next, Asam worked for Prophet Company’s food operations at various east coast locations until March 1964 when he received Uncle Sam’s famous Army greeting draft letter.

Kenneth J. Asam Unit Patch 2

Asam immediately spoke with Air Force, Navy and Army recruiters as he desired a job that matched his inherent aptitude and skills. An Air Force recruiter offered him an opportunity to take four aptitude tests, which he passed with flying colors prompting that recruiter to immediately sign him up for four years, thus Asam avoided the infantry.

Asam proudly pointed out that his father served with the U.S. Navy in World War II and his adventurer grandfather brought the first tractors to Alaska’s Yukon Territory in 1911 and went on invent positraction for automobiles in 1937.

Asam took basic training at San Antonio’s Lackland Air Force Base.

“If I have to start over, I want to learn something I don’t know about,” said Asam as soon as he arrived.

During a group speech on the first day, Asam learned a valuable skill from a 2^nd Lieutenant.

“If you have self-discipline, you won’t need enforced discipline,” said the lieutenant.

End of Earth
Following basic training, Asam was assigned to basic electronics training at Keesler Air Force Base’s classified Technical School in Biloxi, Mississippi.

In January 1965, Asam received a two-week leave of absence and was deployed as an Electronic Intercept Operator/Analysis Specialist to Wakkanai Air Station at Japan’s most northerly island of Hokkaido.

His duties, which were vital to American interests, included gathering USSR and Chinese electronic intelligence transmissions.

Kenneth J. Asam, Jr. USAF Memorabilia

“Due to its extreme remoteness, for most Japanese and U.S. Airmen stationed there, Hokkaido Island seemed pretty much the end of Earth.  This place, with its horrible climate, was about as close as we could get to the USSR,” he recalled.

It’s noted that Wakkanai later provided a crucial function during the Sept. 1, 1983 Soviet shoot down of a Korean airliner that killed 269 people, including Georgia’s Congressman Larry McDonald.

After the USSR denied their dastardly deed, it was revealed that Wakkanai had recorded the Soviet pilot’s communications with his ground personnel, proving that it was intentional.

Austere Environment
Snowfall at Wakkanai Air Station was constant and its distant location possessed limited off-hour entertainment for its airmen. However, local bars, their military club, and private parties made life bearable for those young studs.

Wakkania Air Station Main Gate

“Our base had a small staff and we all worked long and flexible hours, but it was a fun time,” said Asam.

Ken volunteered as a Cub Scouts leader for his fellow airmen’s children and wives and children frequently dropped by their quarters to visit.

After 15 months, Asam’s isolated deployment finally ended and thanks to friends in high places he caught a train to Sapporo rather than taking a harrowing flight out of there.

As he traveled, his train was stuck for three hours in a mountain blizzard. In 1966, Asamflew home from Tokyo back to his parent’s home who had moved to Buffalo, New York. Here, he thoroughly enjoyed a 30-day leave of absence.

Afterwards, Asam returned to Keesler Air Station where he was schooled to become a technical training instructor.

“This was one the best things that ever happened,” he added empathetically.

Asam’s training included public speaking, which served him very well going forward.

Honorable Discharge
On March 18, 1968, Staff Sergeant Kenneth J. Asam was honorably discharged and promptly returned home to Buffalo, New York, where he immediately began sending his resume all over God’s creation.

Kenneth J. Asam, Jr. Wedding Oct. 25, 1969

It wasn’t long before he received several interview offers leading him to accepting a position with Ramada Inn Corporation in Phoenix.

For the next 10 years, he audited Ramada’s facilities all over America. Asam rented an apartment for six months during a Dayton, Ohio assignment and to his delight, several single ladies rented adjacent apartments.

One evening he popped in on one of them. Asam indicated that they both liked what they saw as Cathy Yauch opened her door and even though she was starting a new job early the next morning they chatted until 2 a.m.

They continued seeing each other until he received another assignment in Phoenix, which instantly wrecked their budding romance.

Passion Rekindled
In July 1969, Asam was sent to Indianapolis and when his parents visited him, his mom thought that she would meet Cathy, which inspired him to contact her.

Kenneth J. Asam, Jr. Wedding Oct. 25, 1969

Soon, they met in Dayton leading Asam to propose marriage on their second date. Six weeks later, they were joined in matrimony on Oct. 25, 1969 in Middletown, Ohio.

They went on to have two daughters and four grandchildren and after their children moved to Valencia, he and Cathy settled in Friendly Valley in 2008 after retiring from his successful business career.

Several years ago, Asam suffered a stroke and his left eye severely diminished his vision, leading him to receive excellent Veterans Administration care.

His veteran buddy and neighbor Gary Simpson, was a tremendous asset who guided Asam through the VA’s bureaucratic minefield.

Simpson proudly reported that he achieved his American Dream as these days he loves Friendly Valley’s golf course, while Cathy enjoys gardening and hobnobbing with her lady friends.

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