{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-captured-japanese-aircraft-aluminum-fragment-with-soldier-s-inscription-partial-meatball-insignia-on-reverse","title":"Original U.S. WWII Captured Japanese Aircraft Aluminum Fragment with Soldier’s Inscription \u0026 Partial Meatball Insignia on Reverse","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJuly 4th\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003ePiece of Insignia off a\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJap fighter (Juwe?). I was\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eat Okinawa from April 1st to\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eJune 28th, I’m now at Leyte\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn the Philippine Islands\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTell me(?)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great souvenir, ready for further research and display!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43268792975429,"sku":"ONSV25BHC011","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25BHC011__01.jpg?v=1754053634","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-captured-japanese-aircraft-aluminum-fragment-with-soldier-s-inscription-partial-meatball-insignia-on-reverse","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}