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ON11766

Original Japanese WWII Guadalcanal Captured USGI Signed Silk "Meatball" Flag - 132nd Infantry Regiment

Item Description

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. The 132nd Infantry Regiment was inducted into federal service on March 5, 1941, at Chicago, Illinois, as part of the 33rd Infantry Division, and participated in divisional maneuvers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee. It was relieved from the 33rd Division on January 14, 1942, and assigned to Task Force 6814, an assemblage of units gathered for immediate transfer to Australia to defend against threatened Japanese invasion. On the morning of January 17, 1942, the last train car pulled away from Camp Forrest carrying the 123 officers and 3,325 enlisted men. "Being one of the first infantry regiments to be moved overseas, the trains were guarded by F.B.I. agents." On January 20, 1942, it sailed from New York and arrived in Australia on February 27. On March 6 it sailed again, arriving in New Caledonia, where it became an infantry component of the newly created Americal Division on May 24, 1942.

This was the only Infantry division during WWII to have a name designation, as opposed to a number. After World War II the Americal Division was officially re-designated as the 23rd Infantry Division. However, it was rarely referred to as such, even on official orders.

The 132nd Infantry arrived on Guadalcanal on December 8, 1942, where it engaged in combat in the Guadalcanal campaign, including fierce fighting to capture Japanese positions in the Battle of Mount Austen. The Regiment was relieved and sent to Fiji with the rest of the Americal Division to rest and refit.

The 132nd next fought in the Bougainville campaign. It arrived at Cape Torokina on January 9, 1944, and relieved the 3rd Marine Parachute Battalion, the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion, and units of the 145th Infantry, which then reverted to the 37th Division. The 132nd Infantry took over that portion of the perimeter paralleling the Torokina on the extreme right flank and engaged in patrolling and in strengthening defensive positions. On April 5, 1944, after establishing patrols along Empress Augusta Bay, the 132nd successfully launched an attack to capture Mavavia Village. Two days later, while continuing a sweep for enemy forces, the Regiment encountered prepared enemy defenses, where they destroyed some twenty Japanese pillboxes using pole charges and bazookas. Later, the 132nd secured the heights west of Saua River in fierce fighting that lasted until April 18, when the last of the Japanese defenders were killed or driven off.

In 1945, the 132nd participated in the retaking of the Philippine Islands. On March 26, 1945, preceded by a heavy naval and aerial bombardment, troops of the 3rd Battalion, 132nd Infantry waded ashore across heavily mined beaches during an amphibious invasion of Cebu Island, at a point just south of Cebu City. Elements of the 132nd later secured Mactan Island and Opon Airfield in Cebu province. On November 26, 1945, the 132nd was inactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington.

This incredible flag measures 28 x 33 inches is of silk construction and is the typical "Meatball" National flag. The Japanese this design the Hinomaru (日の丸), which translates literally to "circle of the sun", referencing the red circle on a white field. It embodies the country's sobriquet: Land of the Rising Sun. This is typical of the size used for "Good Luck" flags, but this one was never signed, and is in really good shape.

The flag is signed by 39 soldiers in the Company L of the 132nd Infantry Regiment,  Americal Division. The flag has an Americal Division insignia painted to the top center, which is a blue shield with the stars of the "Southern Cross". The flag is in overall very good condition with a no holes and faux leather tab hang side reinforced corners.

The top center of the flag has been painted with:

Americal Division

(Division Insignia)

Co L - 132 Inf.

There are then 39 names, many with addresses, listed on the flag, written with various different pens and in different handwriting, though it is clear that some people wrote multiple names on the flag.

The names and addresses are as follows:

James Wiseman
Kingston Ga
Rout #1

Robert Kerns
Simpson W.V.A
Rt 1

Richard Cole
Mt. Sterling
Iowa

Theodore Austin
Stanford KY

J.E.Soper
Carlisle, Kentucky

Don Maynard
Colonia Wis.

James Behee
Dodge City, Kans.

Harold Filer
Midlothian Maryland

John Shaw
3614 Perrysville Ave
N.S. Pittsburgh Pa

Charles Williams
912 East Green St.
Morrilton, Ark
(Better known as "ARKIE")

Ralph Williams
Niles, Ohio

Walt Jantz
Dodge City Kans

Augustine Larriva
Los Angeles, Cali

Calvil Holmes
Baltimore Maryland

Wesley H Shaffer
Kalamazoo, Mich

Louis Yuhasz
7817 Bacon
Detroit Mich

Uomas E Morgan Jr.
Irvington Ky RR #2

Elber J Lamastus
Sugar Grove KY

Loren Veils
Springfield, Ill

Thomas Vaneres
Chicago Illinois

Leslie Thiems
Okarche, Okla

Louis Flores
El Monte, California

Floyd Wynn
Lamar, Mo

Ray. T. Ludlow
Herber, Utah

John Junting "Red"
Walla Walla Wash.

Keith Cale,
Clearlake, Wis

John Loesche
Cincinnati Ohio

M.D. Bragg
Taylors, SC

Clarence R Goodson
513 W 8th St
Kannapolis N.C

Richard Wolfe
Cherokee N.C.
Box 104 R #1

Milton P Wentzel
Cincy, Ohio

Harold Noel
Indep. Mo. 1515 Ash

Williard Nolan
Farmvilles, La

Llyod E. Koppen
Jamestown No. Dax

James Mears
Woodbury Tennessee
Route 9.

David. E. Dennis
Cleburne Texas

Joe H. Matthews
PO Box 654
Scotia California

E.L Ware
Fargo, Okla

Henry Yeager
O'Fallon, Illi

We have verified many of these names in the NARA database as having served in WWII. What a piece of history this is! A great display piece, as well as an excellent research project!

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