Original Japanese WWII U.S.-Captured Youth Association Flag with Patches & 25 Signatures - 24th “Hawaiian Division” - 41 x 58”

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a fascinating Japanese youth organization flag which was captured and signed by 25 members of the U.S. Armed Forces, with several collar discs, patches, a Good Conduct Medal, and rank chevrons attached in different places. The Kanji at the end of the flag translates to Waseda Village Youth Group, Kitkatsushika District, Saitama Prefecture. There is a small travel list and promotion list on the opposite side, but considering how many names there are, we aren’t sure who the owner of the flag was, and who this travel diary is for.

The flag measures 41 x 58” and has five large and rigid stitched pole loops for attachment to a flagpole. The flag has patches for the 16th and 20th Armored Divisions, which is interesting considering that both of these divisions served in the European Theater of Operations. There are also patches for the 6th Army and 24th Hawaiian Division, the latter of which we believe to be the patch of the travel diary soldier, as this division fought at Leyte and Mindanao.

There are collar discs for Infantry, Artillery, Coastal Artillery, Armored, and U.S.. There are two rank chevrons for Technician 5th Grade and Staff Sergeant, a Good Conduct Medal, and 7 ribbons. 

The most interesting signature is that of Peter Choy of San Francisco, with “Hahro” Musi-Musi under his signature. He wrote his signature in the style of Japanese text, and this could possibly mean he was Japanese-American. A good research project!

This is an outstanding flag with great research potential! Ready for display.