Author Topic: Veteran's souvenirs from estate auction. (Read 653 times)

polka · « **on:** November 01, 2003, 02:46:36 PM »

Hello everyone.
I went to an estate auction this morning. In addition to the usual fishing gear and other things that I normally find, I bought a shoe box containg these items.

This piece is about 18 inches across, it looks like it was cut from the center of a flag.

A small book with a cloth cover. "Okinawa" is written in pen on the outside.

Here is the inside.

There also these items. The compass on a wristbad has what I believe to be Japanese characters on it.

There were other items. A small signed Japanese flag, a few silk hankies... It's odd, but my wife and I became more and more quiet as we emptied out this shoe box.

davidpt40 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2003, 02:53:13 PM »

Is that a Combat Infantry badge (the circle with 2 crossed rifles in it)? What is the one that is a musket with a blue background? What about the eagle on the bronze circle, with the red and black ribbon above it?

I bet that old man saw some heavy combat in his day.

udet · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2003, 03:22:18 PM »

Ebay!!!!

polka · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2003, 03:32:10 PM »

Udet, most of it will probably end up there.
It's sad to see an estate sale like this one. No family, just an auction company selling everything to settle the estate.

udet · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2003, 04:09:32 PM »

u wanna sell some of it here on the BBS?
I stopped collecting patches and military insignia, but I'm sure people here will be interested, I know Muckmaw likes this kind of stuff.

polka · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2003, 04:22:34 PM »

Thanks for the suggestion. But should I sell it, it would be on ebay. Partially because I'm not certain that this forum is for the place for buying & selling, also because I would selfishly want to reach as many people as possible (that darned ebay is worldwide after all.)
I put the pictures here just because alot of us are into this type of stuff. Not only the patches and pins... but the people who went with it.
I hope that makes sense.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2003, 04:25:50 PM »

WOW

Damn shame his family didn't know/care enough to save those things.

drone · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2003, 04:28:24 PM »

It was probably picked up post war as an occupation grunt--2 of my uncles were stationed there from 46 to 47--they came home with a boat load of stuff --I got some US government-japanese money from them for my collection

Eagler · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2003, 06:18:01 PM »

you should donate it to a WWII veterans group where its true value/sacrifice will be honored

Bodhi · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2003, 06:29:14 PM »

Polka,

The museum I work for would be interested in your acquisition and would be willing to provide you with a doantion form as it is a tax free entity and could garner you some help in your next tax season. It is non-profit, and it will all be displayed with a note that you dictate.

Bodhi

If you need, contact me @

northpointaerowc@aol.com

sling322 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2003, 06:38:23 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by polka
also because I would selfishly want to reach as many people as possible

Heh...after a statement like this, I dont think he is much interested in a "donation" Bodhi.

brady · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2003, 06:40:58 PM »

I know what you mean Polka, When I was at the Oregon Military Museum photo coppying Aireal Photos of Okinawa for the Okinawa Map by Kanttori, the Curator was catloging in a collection that was donated by a Pacific War Veterain, it contained a ton of stuff including what looked like brand new Tropical Shirts and Shorts all Japanese, I was allowed to handel the colection and it was very intense thinking of whear and when...

If I was not in the middle of moving I could tell you what some of those Japanese rank badges and insigna ment but my books are packed:(, great find man!

capt. apathy · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2003, 07:40:02 PM »

very few of my dads souvineers made it home. some papers and things that would fit in his pockets. the cool stuff was taken from him by a navy officer when he was put on a the hospital ship for the ride home.

he's told me of a beautiful set of very pre-war swords that this officer decided would be better if they where his.

I've been talking to my father about getting some of the rarerr documents apraised for insurance reasons and possably setting them up for display in a museum. also they need to be proffesionally stored if they are gonna last.

some of it I may post scans of here if any are interested in seeing them.

besides the ww2 stuff we also have a copy of the declaration of independence that has been in my family for at least 140 years that we know of (maybe longer)

rpm · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2003, 10:16:50 PM »

After my father died my Step-mother had a garage sale and sold all of my Dad's WWII stuff.

He was in the Coast Guard and ran landing craft at Iwo Jima and Tarawa. Would have been nice to let me know she was going to get rid of it. I did manage to get my hands on a Union Jack he had from one of his LST's that she wanted to keep, but all the other souviners, memorabilia and such are long gone.

SmokinSS · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2003, 11:15:58 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by davidpt40
Is that a Combat Infantry badge (the circle with 2 crossed rifles in it)? What is the one that is a musket with a blue background? What about the eagle on the bronze circle, with the red and black ribbon above it?

I bet that old man saw some heavy combat in his day.

The Combat Infantryman's Badge is a Kentucky Rifle on a blue background, for the first time awarded with oak leaves the second and stars on the top after the second award.

The pics of the crossed rifles don't show for me but I assume they are the collar insignia for an enlisted man in the Infantry.

Don't know if this will help you any or not.

Robert