Dunbar, Calvin, 1924-

Calvin Dunbar was born in Pomona, California on December 16, 1924. He entered the United States Marine Corps in Los Angeles in June 1943 and was stationed at San Diego in Platoon 559, MCRD, from July until October of that same year. Mr. Dunbar graduated from the Japanese Language School at Camp Elliott at San Diego in May 1944. After the war, Calvin Dunbar married Janice Horlick Romney in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 1954, and they later had two children: Elizabeth Dustin (Dusty), and Norman Romney (Romney). Mr. Dunbar worked nine years for the Ethyl Corporation in sales after completing his academic work. In 1961, he became co-owner to the Food Roundup Supermarket in West Yellowstone, Montana; at the present time he is retired from the market but retains part ownership. The highlight of Mr. Dunbar's W.W.II experience comes from the returning of an ancient Japanese sword to its rightful owner after more than 40 years in his possession. The sword was originally awarded to Dunbar by his colonel at the conclusion of the war. In March 1987, Mr. Dunbar began the long task of finding the former Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) surgeon from whom the 400 year old sword was surrendered in Rota, on September 1945. In December 1987, the sword finally was returned to Mitsuru Yazu with considerable public and media interest. Dr. Mitsuru Yazu is now retired and lives in Yukuhashi, Kyushu, Japan. The two men have maintained a close friendship since the return of the sword, both visiting the other and corresponding regularly.