HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 6, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted July 6, 2013 Reverse side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted July 6, 2013 Post War promotion document. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted July 6, 2013 American Ex-Prisoners of War Association Hat and name sterling bracelet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted July 6, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted July 6, 2013 Sorry...here are the photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted July 6, 2013 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted July 6, 2013 Another view of the flag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #9 Posted July 6, 2013 Personal items...shocking he was allowed to keep them and that they survived his horrific ordeal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted July 6, 2013 I guess this is a caricature of himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted July 6, 2013 Etching of the 31st Infantry DI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted July 6, 2013 Etched service history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted July 6, 2013 Canteen side #1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted July 6, 2013 Canteen side #2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted July 6, 2013 Mess kit etched history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted July 6, 2013 Personal musette. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #17 Posted July 6, 2013 Writing under musette flap. This is the last photo of this grouping...sorry there were so many. Thanks for looking!! John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 6, 2013 Share #18 Posted July 6, 2013 Absolutely beautiful group. I've collected POW groups for a long time and thus one is just outstanding. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted July 6, 2013 Share #19 Posted July 6, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted July 6, 2013 Share #20 Posted July 6, 2013 Good job Kurt, I knew I had seen this name before! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 6, 2013 Author Share #21 Posted July 6, 2013 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottG Posted July 6, 2013 Share #22 Posted July 6, 2013 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 8, 2013 Author Share #23 Posted July 8, 2013 Scott, Sounds like a great pick up! I would love to see some photographs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottG Posted July 8, 2013 Share #24 Posted July 8, 2013 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriscoHare Posted July 8, 2013 Share #25 Posted July 8, 2013 Holy wow! Yet another great grouping from the Philippine Defense campaign! Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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