Description:

OKINAWA-CAPTURED JAPANESE FLAG, SIGNED BY THE MARINES WHO TOOK IT
A superb relic of one of the hardest-fought battle in U.S. history, a 31" x 28" Japanese national flag undoubtedly captured on Okinawa and given to a war hero who ultimately would succumb to wounds he received in the battle. The flag bears the names and addresses of 36 members of the 1st Marine Division who fought on Okinawa, and for many this was the only combat in which they were engaged. The flag not signed with signatures per se, but each soldier has written his name in block letters. It returned to the U.S. with Platoon Sgt. William H. Gamber, Jr. who was wounded in the battle and years later died from complications. Included is a copy of a note signed by Gamber's widow mentioning that the flag belonged to her husband as well as copies of his citations (Bronze Star, Okinawa) and a news clipping indicating that he had ambushed a squad of Japanese with one of the men who signed the flag. We speculate that, as the signatures are in block letters, include addresses, and Gamber himself did not sign the flag, this relic was given to him by platoon members as a souvenir and means by which he could contact them in the post-war years. With research.

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September 9, 2014 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $3,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000