kiaiokalewa Posted December 15, 2012 Author Share #26 Posted December 15, 2012 The one thing that drive me nuts about this whole acquistion is that I have no name, no contact or paperwork to go with uniform. I couldn't find anything written on the labels or under the pocket flaps, inside the pockets or in the underside of the coat. There must be a way to figure out who once owned this coat. I can't image that there were to many former WWII veterans from the famous 442nd/100th that remained in service for this many years, was in three different wars, was awarded that unusual NUC and being a MSGT has to narrow the field down a little right? Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated. Mahalo, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted December 15, 2012 Share #27 Posted December 15, 2012 Nice groupings.I have a certificate from the 34th ID to a 442nd RCT soldier awarding him the Bronze Star medal.When I come across it again I will post a pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #28 Posted December 26, 2012 Here's a famous photo that shows 442nd troops heading of to the Battle of Bruyeres. Zooming in on the two soldiers just climbing aboard the one in the rear is Jack Iriguchi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #29 Posted December 26, 2012 Here's another view of that eventful day. You can clearly see the Jack following the other soldier up into the truck bed. In Jack's hand writing his caption reads, "Taken by Paramount news reel cameraman October 13, 1944, on the way to battle. Vosges mountains, France." Now we can finally put a name to one of the individuals in that photo. In a book called Company F, which Iriguchi was assigned the known and published photo was captioned with "Fourth Platoon". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #30 Posted December 26, 2012 This is a great yearbook that I recently acquired. It's shows induction processing at Schofield Barracks, the Iolani Palace farewell ceremony, arrival to Camp Shelby, training pixs and super organization photos. All photos shows Third Army SSI's being worn. Unfortunately they didn't take the opportunity to name everybody. In the Co. F group shot (half page shown) Jack Iriguchi is in the second row on the very far right (first individual on the edge). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #31 Posted December 26, 2012 Some pages from this rare book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #32 Posted December 26, 2012 Another glimps at the yearbook. Here's another book that I recently obtained. This one was published at the U of H Press, Honolulu in July 1954 (First Printing) by Thomas D. Murphy. The contents within is very detailed. Most references don't bring up which other organizations (both US and Foreign) that were in support of the 100th/442nd troops during battle. There is a complete roster of the 100th Bn in the back of this book. What is cool about this book is that they list where "Decedents" were buried and what awards they recieved. This includes Postwar and Korean Campaign Decedents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #33 Posted December 26, 2012 Here's a group shot with Jack Iriguchi in center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share #34 Posted December 26, 2012 From the 1943 yearbook. What little names that they do list is with the officers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted December 26, 2012 Share #35 Posted December 26, 2012 Great stuff! Thanks.......Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted January 10, 2013 Author Share #36 Posted January 10, 2013 I thought this link was an interesting one and worth having a look at. Note that the individual that once owned this Ike jacket was from the same company as Jack Iriguchi. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/103728-wow-another-big-money-item/page__hl__+442nd%20+infantry&do=findComment&comment=769724 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share #37 Posted February 14, 2013 Recently my pal gave me a unique 442nd related item picture below. First to see something like this and it appears to be made in Korea or the likes. I was happy to add it to the growing collection. Last month my local antique shop owner had introduced me to an individual from the mainland that has local ties and wanted to know of other collectors of militaria. Long story short we ended up knowing the same people on the island of Oahu and he had a great deal knowledge about the 100th Bn/442nd. Here's what he had to share about this particular 442nd Bolo Ties. "Regarding the 442nd Bolo Ties, it appears that the 442nd veterans clubs in LA and Hawaii produced them at different times. Not sure when the Honolulu club produced theirs but they had them before the 50th Anniversary reunion in 1993. The LA club produced theirs via their Sons & Daughters chapter not long after and had them available until the late 90s. I'm not sure if the Honolulu club produced the bolo ties again after the 1993 reunion but they had some for sale from time to time at later reunions." It's nice to place a time frame on this so there is no confusion down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share #38 Posted February 14, 2013 Now here's something you do not see everyday. My wifey helps out a lot of ole' time Japanese here on the Big Island with housekeeping and at the Higa estate I happen to come across this interesting item. This was next to the family's prayer shrine. Since family lives on Oahu I was unable to ask oldest daughter more about Charles memorial. When I researched Charles Higa I found it odd that he wasn't listed as KIA since his memorial indicated 1945 as his year of death. Well the answer was in at my local Library. I found a neat little old book that shows all soldiers from Hawaii that were killed during WWII. Here's what Charles Higa looks like and his short bio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReverendJake Posted March 18, 2013 Share #39 Posted March 18, 2013 Spectacular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiaiokalewa Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share #40 Posted April 12, 2016 To complete this thread I now present Jack's named Purple Heart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted April 13, 2016 Share #41 Posted April 13, 2016 Very nice and I'm glad the PH showed up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted April 13, 2016 Share #42 Posted April 13, 2016 Incredible thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe55 Posted April 13, 2016 Share #43 Posted April 13, 2016 Geez, is this thread cool or what ! Joe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VenitHora Posted April 13, 2016 Share #44 Posted April 13, 2016 fabulous postings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfhound Posted April 15, 2016 Share #45 Posted April 15, 2016 Awesome that you were able to bring the PH back to the grouping. Persistence does pay off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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