J.D. Lawler, Hachidan

November, 1944

My martial arts training began with Mr. Gayetano Villalobo of the Philippines.  This training was provided by the U.S. Navy to a group of 300 men for the purpose of blowing reefs for the final invasion of Japan during WW II.  Mr. Villalobo taught the art of “Escrima” which means “knife & Stick fighting.”

February, 1945

I continued my training in Naha, Okinawa with Mr. Ido Naguna who taught the art of “Shorin”; a style of Okinawa Karate.  At that time, the martial arts were not an organized group and Asians were forbidden by custom to teach the arts to Anglos.  However, conditions after the Japanese occupation were desperate for the Asians and a few masters agreed to teach their art to Anglos.  Mr. Naguna’s training was sought by a group of 12 men, including myself.  All of us had a great desire to continue with the training that had begun with Mr. Gayetano Villalobo.

 

September, 1945

Training continued for me in Shanghai with Mr. Lin Pao Wan who taught the art of “Paqua”, which is based on the eight trigrams.  Again, training had to be searched for since conditions remained much the same in the Asian countries.  Mr. Wan was a worker for the U.S. Navy who agreed, after much pressure and pleading, to provide teaching and training in the martial arts.  He wrote a certificate on plain paper for each of our group stating we had achieved 2nd Achievement or the equivalent of 2nd degree black belt.

 

December, 1945

After being sent to Korea by the U.S. Navy, I continued to search for training and found Mr. Pak Sung who taught Moo Duk Kwan.  We were privileged to have six months training under Mr. Sung.

 

1952-1959

Mr. Atlee Chittum of San Antonio, Texas provided training for me in Tae Kwon Do.  I trained privately with him as time permitted.

 

1968

I was tested for 3rd Degree in Moo Duk Kwan by Mr. Lee Kang Ik.

 

1987

Received Hachidan in Oikiru-Ryu after being tested under the direction fo Siyoga Kuniba by Dr. Louis Fried of Pasadena, California.

HALL OF FAME