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Buda, Texas

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum: Hole 18 – Japan Surrenders

Par 3

Hole 18 is sponsored by:

Moser Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

With the capture of the island of Okinawa in June 1945, the stage was set for the final invasion of the Japanese home islands, codenamed Operation Downfall, planned for November 1945. Despite being forced out of one island after another, the Japanese military still resisted ferociously. The whole population of Japan was called upon to resist the invasion with anything they had. Due to such tenacity, projections of American casualties numbered above one million men.

For months leading up to the expected invasion, American bombers turned to Tokyo and other Japanese cities into smouldering ruin as a result of firebombing raids. Fortunately for the G.I.s, hundreds of the world’s top scientists had been working for over two years to create the first atomic bomb.

On July 16th, 1945, the first successful detonation of an atomic bomb occurred in the New Mexico desert. With a war-ending weapon in the U.S. arsenal, President Truman authorized nuclear weapons to be used against Japan after repeated and fruitless proposals to negotiate a peace.

On August 6th, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, followed up by a second atomic drop on Nagasaki three days later. The combined death toll is estimated at between 130,000-225,000 civilians and military personnel. On the same day the atomic bomb fell on Nagasaki, Soviet troops stormed across Manchuria and annihilated one of Japan’s most elite armies.

With the combined pressure of American atomic weapons, and a Soviet threat from the North, the Japanese Government began to prepare for surrender. On August 15th, the Emperor spoke to his nation via a radio broadcast, announcing Japan’s surrender.

On September 2nd, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, the Japanese government formally surrendered unconditionally. Nearly six years to the day had passed since Germany invaded Poland, sparking the costliest tragedy in world history, but a tragedy that nevertheless deserves to be remembered.

Vocabulary Word: Unconditional Surrender – An unconditional surrender is a surrender in which no guarantees are given to the surrendering party. Both Japan and Germany were forced to accept this form of surrender as the victorious Allies defeated the Axis Powers.

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum

This hole is dedicated to Colonel Oliver Kenton Jones – 78th Fighter Group and 8th Air Force Fighter Command

Colonel Jones known by his friends as “OK” was born in Arizona, but shortly there after his family returned to the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. He grew up in the small town of Mercedes, TX with his brothers and two sisters. He graduated from the University of Texas school of engineering in 1938. Colonel Jones has always had a passion for flying even as a boy. This passion lead him to the Navy flight training program in 1939; however he did not make the cut due to a sinus condition that gave him vertigo in flight. As heart breaking as this was, Col. Jones found his calling in the Army Air Corps, his gift was meteorology. The Army sent him to the California Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. He was commissioned in June 1941 just before the USA entered WW2.

In November 1942, he was assigned to the 78th Fighter Group (the “Duxford Eagles”) in Duxford, England, responsible for bomber escorts and ground assault roles. The 78th Fighter Group first flew P-38 Lightnings, then switched to P-47 Thunderbolts and toward the war’s end, the famous P-51 Mustang. After demonstrating exemplary weather forecasting, Jones was promoted to the 8th Air Force Fighter Command as chief weather officer. for General Doolittle’s (commander of the famous Doolittle Raiders). He remained on General Doolittle’s staff until VE-Day May of 1945.

Colonel Jones set the example of helping the effort, even though he could not fly. Many WW2 veterans helped in this capacity that generally gets overlooked. His ability to help plan missions and cripple the German Luftwaffe to end the war earned him the Legion of Merit. He went on to serve over 20 years in the Air Force and would father twelve children. His devotion to country, his fortitude and intelligence places him in high honors in military history.

Rest in Peace, Colonel O.K. Jones.

Oliver Kenton Jones

1913-2000

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum

This hole starts out with water surrounding Japan and then transitions into a runway with flag centered with the stripes of the runway all the way at the back.

Also got a pic with owner Brian, a shot of their party corner, and one with Mister Mini Golf, Rosie the Riveter, and Mister Mini Golf’s Pops!

Mister Mini Golf Pro Tips

You start left so you need to aim to the right of the hole to account for the break back to the left. You also have to account for the transitions from the material differences as well.

ADA Accessibility Notes: ADA compliant pathways are installed to allow for 9 holes of accessible play.

For more details on course accessibility, always check in with a course you are visiting as they may be able to do additional accommodations. In addition, a great resource is the ADA Checklist for Miniature Golf Courses.

Check out the prior hole here:

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum: Hole 17 – In recognition of African Americans fighting for our freedom

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum’s Page is located here:

Memorial Miniature Golf and Museum

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