Our mission changed - with the help of Bito and others, we set about to find this soldier’s family. It was a talisman from a soldier’s family, hoping to keep him alive. This was not a battle flag, designed to inspire men to fight to their deaths in fanatical banzai charges. “Being Japanese," she wrote, "I can’t look at this flag without tears coming to my eyes as I pray for him and his family.”Ĭlearly, this flag was no longer an impersonal asset that the museum could sell. Yukiko Bito, liaison officer for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and military professor, International Programs at the War College.īito explained that this was a “good luck” flag, called “Yosegaki Hinomaru,” given to a Japanese soldier by his family and friends as he went to war.įarrell concurred, saying that such flags always contain uplifting messages such as "Congratulations on your expedition,"Be victorious" and "Serve honorably."īito explained that these flags usually were carried into battle by the recipient, because they were filled with the best wishes of his loved ones, hoping and praying for his safe return. Farrell had also taught Japanese history at the U.S. Farrell, chairman of the National Association of Japan-America Societies. The flag, measuring 34 inches by 26 inches, was described as an "Imperial flag signed in Japanese by at least 20 men under indictment for war crimes.” The auction house did add the caveat, “This example, however, is lacking a firm provenance and is yet to be translated.” One asset we decided to sell was the Japanese flag. The flag is not what it seemed. To sell it, however, we needed to find out exactly what it was. We decided to sell assets to generate operating capital. Just as this Hall of Fame project began to gain momentum, the coronavirus hit in 2020, closing off our normal fundraising activities. To ensure a location for all the artifacts collected over the years, as well as to provide a permanent home for the Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame, we began to develop a land-based facility at Quonset. The flag, presented by the auction house as signed by war criminals, went into storage and was not translated for almost 14 years.Īlthough our aircraft carrier dreams came to naught, we developed a backup plan. While developing a World War II exhibit in 2006, I acquired the signed Japanese flag that is the subject of this story. Meanwhile, we collected artifacts for museum displays. I joined the advisory board of JAS and was a member of the Newport delegation to Japan for the 2007 Black Ships festival in Shimoda. Recognizing this significant connection, we linked up with the Japan America Society and began participating in activities involving the two countries. Navy warship named Saratoga was launched in 1842 and was part of Commodore Matthew Perry’s famous “Black Ships” squadron during his missions in 1853 and 1854 to open relationships between the United States and Japan. The name “Saratoga” commemorated the American Revolutionary War victory at Saratoga, New York, in 1777. That effort focused initially on the USS Saratoga. I worked for 20 years to bring a retired aircraft carrier into Narragansett Bay as a world-class family attraction and education center. Veterans Voice: Celebrating new benefits for military pensioners My Japanese connection Why continue to single out Japan? Why promote needless anti-Asian sentiment and make Asians, especially the Japanese, the enemy again, even if it is only for one day?Īs Victory Day approached this year, my own internal battle with this question resurfaced. When the war ended in Europe, that celebration was called V-E Day, for Victory in Europe - not V-G Day, for Victory over Germany. Some consider it to be racially insensitive, because it singles out Japan, now a staunch ally. In 1948, Rhode Island lawmakers established Victory Day as a state holiday.Ĭontrary to popular belief, the official name has always been Victory Day, not “Victory over Japan Day” or “V-J Day” - even though most locals have referred to it that way for generations.Įvery few years, there’s talk of eliminating the observance, or at least changing its name. 14 as Victory Day, although it was never designated a national holiday. RI establishes Victory Day as a state holiday in 1948Ī year later, Truman declared Aug. Truman announced the unconditional surrender of Japan. This flag is now the focus of a personal quest. The aging flag features the famous Rising Sun in the center, surrounded by calligraphy radiating out from the red center like a sun’s rays. I will spend a few minutes contemplating a World War II Japanese flag, collected on some forgotten Pacific island and brought home by an American GI as a war souvenir. Today, Rhode Islanders observe the holiday known as Victory Day.
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