Original U.S. WWII Captured Japanese Aircraft Aluminum Fragment with Soldier’s Inscription & Partial Meatball Insignia on Reverse

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a really fantastic display piece, a captured fragment of aircraft skin off of a Japanese fighter plane shot down in the Philippines, namely around Leyte. The soldier who captured this piece used it to write a “letter” home, and from his mention of fighting at Okinawa, he may have been a Marine. 

The piece of aluminum measures roughly 4 x 7½” and depicts part of the edge of the “Meatball” insignia painted on the side of Japanese fighters, with the green paint beneath. The back of the aluminum is inscribed:

July 4th
Piece of Insignia off a
Jap fighter (Juwe?). I was
at Okinawa from April 1st to
June 28th, I’m now at Leyte
In the Philippine Islands
Tell me(?)

The final line may be a partial name, but it is difficult to read. The writing is rather crude but states that the soldier was on Okinawa for the entirety of the battle (April 1st-June 22nd, 1945) and for 6 days following the battle before being sent to Leyte, P.I. This is a fantastic display piece and comes with a printed copy of what the back looks like, so they can be displayed side-by-side.

A great souvenir, ready for further research and display!