CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Longtime Pacific Stars and Stripes reporter Harold A. Drake has died in Australia of cancer. He was 83.
Hal Drake reported a range of Asian stories from his Tokyo base for 40 years until he retired with his wife Kaz to Australia in 1995.
The U.S. military newspaper reported his death on Monday but did not say when it had occurred. Former colleague Gerry Galipault told the newspaper: "Stars and Stripes has lost a true legend."
Born in Santa Monica, Calif., Drake served with the U.S. army in the Korean War before joining Stars and Stripes in 1956.
He said in a video interview late in life that he became fascinated with Japan while on leave there during his war service.
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