Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind set. Just purchased as at a large military auction, this is a Great USGI Bring back set from the Pacific Theater of WWII! More specifically, these items were brought back by U.S. Marine Kenneth Hilfiker from his short period on the Island of Iwo Jima, site of what is most arguably the most legendary battle of the "Island Hopping" campaign. The photo raising of the flag being raised at the top of Mount Suribachi is one of the most well known military photographs in history.
This wonderful set includes a banner, a piece of a flag, a photo, and a letter describing the contents from the grandson of Kenneth Hilfiker. The banner measures 14"W x 53"L, and is the standard "Going Away To War" banner we have seen many times before. The top has a printed Imperial Japanese Army Star marking, and under this are the Japanese Rising sun military flag on the left, and the standard sun flag on the right. Beneath this is a large red Kanji character, though we have unfortunately been unable to identify it.
The other fabric piece looks to be part of a larger Japanese flag or banner, and has the red "Hinomaru" or "Sun Round" emblem of Japan. It measures 23" x 14", and is in very tattered condition.
The included letter reads as follows:
DEAR SIR.
ENCLOSED IS A PIECE OF HISTORY! THIS
GOING TO WAR BANNER WAS TAKEN FROM A JAPANESE
SOLDIER KILLED DURING THE OCCUPATION OF IWO
JIMA. MY GRANDFATHER KENNETH HILFIKER WAS
STATIONED OVER THERE AND WAS ONLY THERE FOR
A SHORT PERIOD.
ALSO IS INCLUDED A PHOTO OF HIM.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS PIECE OF HISTORY
AND HONOR HIM AS HIS FAMILY DOES.
THANK YOU,
MATT
The included picture shows two U.S. Marines doing bayonet training with M1 Garand rifles. We unfortunately are not able to tell which of these is Kenneth Hilfiker.
A great piece of history from the Pacific Theater of WWII! Ready to research and display!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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