Japanese rifle w/grenade fragments OSS soldier bring back

[blackhawkdown]

This is the most amazing bring back item in my collection. It is a Japanese rifle from a veteran who is in the OSS in Burma in 1945. He was a medic and dropped behind Japanese lines. His son told me the rifle was taken in a close quarters battle and had grenade fragments embedded in the stock. I had the stock xrayed and you can see the fragments. The sword was also brought back by the same man. Here are photos of him and a little more information.

It looks like the grenade explosion also knocked off the butstock.

[blackhawkdown]

Here is the x-ray

[USCapturephotos]

Dan h. I collect only GI souvenirs with strong provenance and that is killer. I would be proud to own that. Thanks so much for sharing!

[blackhawkdown]

X/ray

[McDermut99]

Wow. It makes you wonder what happened to the soldier who was carrying it. Incredible find!

[blackhawkdown]

Here is the vet

So frustrating to have to keep resizing photos!

[blackhawkdown]

Here he is getting a hair cut, sadly only some patches and insignia remain today of his home inform.

[blackhawkdown]

I have his hat and ripcord.

[blackhawkdown]

Inside hat

[USdog]

That is awesome!!

[USCapturephotos]

Keep coming back to look at this thread. Thanks again for sharing!!!

Paul

[blackhawkdown]

Here is a pet tiger they found, named it Lucy. Vets wife got a letter from William Donovan mentioning the cub.

[blackhawkdown]

The letter

[David D]

Incredible grouping! It's possible he served with my grandfather!

[blackhawkdown]

I think this is a photo of the flag taken from Japanese that had the rifle. I do not know what happened to it or if it was ever brought home. Probably too messy to bring back

[blackhawkdown]

Closeup can anyone read Japanese? You can see it was probably folded up and either in the helmet or jacket of the poor fellow.

[blackhawkdown]

here are the men clowning around, note my vet in the back seat with the Kukri knife.

[blackhawkdown]

Here are his medals, all that remain of his uniform. Unfortunately I was not able to purchase these.

[blackhawkdown]

Here are some tough looking hombres.

[blackhawkdown]

More tough guys

The back of the photo says "Lil Duwa !!!" Must have been famous.

[blackhawkdown]

Here is his group of buddies. I found a few nicknames on the backs of photos but not sure of any names.

[blackhawkdown]

Buddies.

Keep forgetting to attach photos.

[blackhawkdown]

Rifle stock closeups

[blackhawkdown]

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[blackhawkdown]

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