pathfinder505 Posted April 6, 2015 Share #1 Posted April 6, 2015 The TMCA show was in Franklin, TN this weekend. I didnt find a lot of the items that I normally collect. However, I do like signed flags that were captured. I have several GI's signed Nazi flags but never had a Japanese one until now. This flag was from the 672nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion. I normally think of Amtracs being with the Marines and thought this was a Marine flag until I saw the vet's serial numer was Army. So I decided to buy it and reasearch it. At first I thought it was 673rd and couldn't find anything. I looked again and it was actually 672. When I did a search I found there were 54 Amtrac's used on the raid to rescue prisoners at Los Banos. They were attached to the 11th Airborne for the raid. The commanding officer is mentioned in several books on the raid. He was a Lt. Col. who had to be subordinate to a Major for the raid. I copied the portion where he signed the flag. I am still researching the people on the flag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew1945 Posted April 6, 2015 Share #2 Posted April 6, 2015 That's insane. A lot of history behind it too, thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timberwolf Posted April 6, 2015 Share #3 Posted April 6, 2015 Great flag Robert! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted April 6, 2015 Share #4 Posted April 6, 2015 Awesome find! I have seen a few signed Japanese flags but not many. This one has great history too! Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted April 6, 2015 Share #5 Posted April 6, 2015 Nice find Robert Far fewer of the signed Japanes flags seen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted April 6, 2015 Share #6 Posted April 6, 2015 Very nice! Congrats....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted April 6, 2015 Share #7 Posted April 6, 2015 Very cool item! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted April 6, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted April 6, 2015 Thanks for all the comments. The guy I bought this from apparently got it at an estate sale and then stored it for about 20 yrs and just got it out of a trunk and brought to the show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CampSutton Posted April 6, 2015 Share #9 Posted April 6, 2015 Very nice find. A friend of mine was in the 672nd. He passed away January of last year. I would collect information on the unit for him. They published a weekly paper during the war. I have copies of most of them. I will check and see if the flag is mentioed. There is also a DVD of the Vets going back and talking about the raid to liberate the prisoners that has a lot of the period film in it. Jack Clay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CampSutton Posted April 6, 2015 Share #10 Posted April 6, 2015 My friend's name was Charles Bivens from Monroe, NC. Seems the army was not sure what the 672nd would be. They went to Camp Hood for Tank Destroyer training then to Fort Ord, CA and got the AMTRAC training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badash5946 Posted April 6, 2015 Share #11 Posted April 6, 2015 I am thoroughly impressed by this flag! What a great find, backed by your outstanding research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted April 7, 2015 Share #12 Posted April 7, 2015 That is awesome!!!!...i think critical past has a nice film clip of these amtracs in action carrying the rescued prisoners!....mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder505 Posted April 8, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted April 8, 2015 My friend's name was Charles Bivens from Monroe, NC. Seems the army was not sure what the 672nd would be. They went to Camp Hood for Tank Destroyer training then to Fort Ord, CA and got the AMTRAC training. Jack Your friend did not sign the flag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveb203 Posted April 15, 2015 Share #14 Posted April 15, 2015 Great piece!! That would make a great addition to any collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V42 Posted June 27, 2015 Share #15 Posted June 27, 2015 There are more signed German flags then Japanese ones around so to see a nice Japanese signed flag is refreshing. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyboy_trav Posted July 28, 2015 Share #16 Posted July 28, 2015 Cool flag!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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