WWII 31st Infantry Officer POW Grouping -- Medals, Trench Art and more!

[HistoryNut]

This is a grouping I purchased earlier this year...I feel it is the "Holy Grail" of my collection. I purchased it from a man that was selling it for the son of the veteran. I am honored to be the temporary steward of this group!! The Bronze Star is named and the mini POW medal has the veteran's initials. As you can see many of the other items also have his name. Luckily, the veteran documented his WWII military history on his mess kit, canteen and musette. I have also found several websites that have documented the names of the prison camps he was in. There is also a website that shows a picture of the Lt. showing his diary to one of the troops that liberated him.

[HistoryNut]

Reverse side.

[HistoryNut]

Post War promotion document.

[HistoryNut]

American Ex-Prisoners of War Association Hat and name sterling bracelet.

[HistoryNut]

Original photos after liberation and one of him in later life. The Lt. was wounded 18 Dec 41 and had his leg amputated 9 Sep 43. As you can see he has an amazing "makeshift" wooden leg.

[HistoryNut]

Sorry...here are the photos.

[HistoryNut]

A couple of great patches, an I.D. card, his cap and a flag. The flag is made from a piece of his shirt sewn to a chop stick...any ideas on this. I am sure the purpose of the flag is lost with time!

[HistoryNut]

Another view of the flag!

[HistoryNut]

Personal items...shocking he was allowed to keep them and that they survived his horrific ordeal!

[HistoryNut]

I guess this is a caricature of himself.

[HistoryNut]

Etching of the 31st Infantry DI.

[HistoryNut]

Etched service history.

[HistoryNut]

Canteen side #1.

[HistoryNut]

Canteen side #2.

[HistoryNut]

Mess kit etched history.

[HistoryNut]

Personal musette.

[HistoryNut]

Writing under musette flap. This is the last photo of this grouping...sorry there were so many. Thanks for looking!!

 

John

[KASTAUFFER]

Absolutely beautiful group. I've collected POW groups for a long time and thus one is just outstanding.

 

Kurt

[KASTAUFFER]

Looks like this group got split up by the family. His diary and other items was featured in this thread:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/175448-amazing-japanese-pow-handwritten-diary/

 

Kurt

[Jack's Son]

Good job Kurt, I knew I had seen this name before!

[HistoryNut]

Wow...I knew the diary existed because I found the same photo on the internet during my research! I had no idea that it had been purchased and posted here on the forum. Thank you very much for the heads up!

[ScottG]

Very nice grouping, I just picked up an M-1 helmet from E Company 31st Infantry and it belonged to a Lieutenant. Of course it was probably issued during the occupation of Japan but quite a coincidence. Scott.

[HistoryNut]

Scott,

 

Sounds like a great pick up! I would love to see some photographs.

[ScottG]

Here you are, as I said its an M-1 so not used in the Bataan campaign, but I thought it was quite a coincidence. Scott

 

[FriscoHare]

Holy wow! Yet another great grouping from the Philippine Defense campaign! Thanks for sharing!