Original Japanese WWII National Silk Flag Captured and Signed by 33rd Infantry Division Soldiers - 27" x 38"
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Original Item: One-of-a-kind. Just purchased at a large military auction! This is a lovely USGI Bring Back from WWII: an original Japanese WWII "Meatball" National flag, captured by members of the 33rd Infantry Division. They then painted the "Golden Cross" emblem of the division, and signed their names to the flag. The 33rd Infantry Division was extensively involved in the Liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces.
The Japanese call their country's flag 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.
The flag measures approximately 27"H x 38"W, and is made from real silk, with a lovely sheer look. The body of the flag is white, with a red "sun round" dyed into the middle. It has the correct paper corner reinforcements with two hanging ties each, and is in very good condition.
This is the typical type and size of flag that would be used as a "Good Luck Flag", but was probably captured before it could be properly decorated, which is why it is in such good condition. It has however degraded around the unit insignia, as the silk fabric is very delicate, and the paint caused it to split. The paint itself also did not stick well, so much of it is flaked away.
The flag is signed by numerous soldiers, listed here (We cannot guarantee we spelled them correctly):
Richard Campbell
Bernie D. Bradley
Bill Hall
Frank Zelenka
John W. Knotts
Donald. A. Stewart
Melvin Jeel
Stanley Ochurat
Harald P. Neal "MAMA"
Jasper Potts
Harmon Spencer
Mike Zafatson
Adolph Omanan
Dudley Johnson
Frank E Spa?
Harry M Peterson
James P. Macky
James H. Hacken
Everett M. Palmer
George Mikkelsen
Bill Bennett
Harrold Moore
Herman Latham
Joe Stephen
Samuel R. De Falco
James Hall
Leslie P. Fuller
Albert Hill
Joe Caramagna
Frank Saver
Paul W. Morwell
Harrold Lawson "Doc"
Paul R Goetz
Wayne Newton
Ralph Neff
Daniel Yanko
Arthur Ott
Frank Holecek
Thaddeus Piendyas
Gale Kauffman
Kenneth P. Stassi
Edward E. Cain
George Poland "Bark"
John Reeves
Francis J. Reeves
Sanford Rosenborough
George E. Malvies
Thomas Wilkins
J.J. Willis
Joseph J. Ivescica
Joseph E. Hill
Ernest Crowe
Harry Engle
John W. McCulley
Clarence Dorsey
Donald Crodas
Floyd Childers
Jack Silver
Patt Picterelli
Clifford Shaw
There is a bit of age toning and light staining in areas, but the writing is clear. Ready to research and display!
The 33rd Infantry Division in the Pacific Theatre of WWII:
The Division arrived in Hawaii on 12 July 1943. While guarding installations, it received training in jungle warfare. On 11 May 1944, it arrived in New Guinea where it received additional training. The 123rd Infantry Regiment arrived at Maffin Bay on 1 September, to provide perimeter defense around the Wakde Airdrome and in the Toem–Sarmi sector. The 123rd was relieved on 26 January 1945. Elements of the 33rd arrived at Morotai, on 18 December 1944 and landings were made on the west coast of the island on 22 December, without opposition and defensive perimeters were established. Aggressive patrols were sent out which encountered scattered resistance. The 33rd then landed at Lingayen Gulf, on Luzon, on 10 February 1945, and relieved the 43rd Infantry Division in the Damortis–Rosario Pozorrubio area, over the period 13–15 February. The division drove into the Caraballo Mountains on 19 February, toward its objective, Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines and the headquarters of General Tomoyuki Yamashita.
Fighting against a fanatical enemy entrenched in the hills, the 33rd took Aringay on 7 March, Mount Calugong on 8 April, and Mount Mirador on 25 April. Baguio and Camp John Hay fell on 26 April, under the concerted attack of the 33rd and the 37th Infantry Divisions. Manuel Roxas, later President of the Philippines, was freed during the capture of Baguio, which was liberated by the 33rd and Filipino soldiers of the 66th Infantry Regiment, Philippine Commonwealth Army, USAFIP-NL on 27 April. After mopping up isolated pockets of Japanese troops, the division captured the San Nicholas–Tebbo–Itogon route on 12 May. All elements went to rest and rehabilitation areas on 30 June 1945. The division landed on Honshū Island, Japan, on 25 September, and then performed occupation duties until it was inactivated in early 1946.
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