The Pacific Theater
Gallery 3
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Souvenir folder for servicemen to keep their papers and momentos. This example belong to Technician 5th grade Hector Louis Mallette of the anti-tank company of the 145th Infantry. Mr Mallette was a Britsh citizen who was naturalized in 1934, and enlisted in the US Army in 1941. Shown is his infantry collar brass, Combat Infantryman's Badge, insignia of the 37th Infantry Division service bars and both metal and cloth "Ruptured Ducks". |
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This photo shows the rest of Mr Mallette's keepsakes: the WWII Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, marksmanship badge with "rifle" qualification bar, his hat badge, and ribbon bars for his awards. |
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Photograph of Sergeant (shown here as a Corporal) William Graves, and his wife and daughter, and his Good Conduct Medal. Sgt. Graves was stationed in the Aleutians during the war; the insignia for the Alaskan Department can be seen on his shoulder. (Donated by Cindy Blackburn). |
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Photograph sent home by Sgt. Graves and some of his buddies in the Aleutians holding a captured Japanese admiral's flag. Sgt. Graves is at the lower left.(Donated by Cindy Blackburn). |
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Souvenir Japanese "meatball" flag with the inscription "Destiny: Long Life", and the signatures of friends who presented the flag to a Japanese soldier. It was common practice for Japanese families to present their family members with these types of flags inscribed with patriotic sayings for good luck in battle. They were popular war trophies with GIs. |
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Original photograph of a group of GIs holding captured flags. There are a number of documented cases of American soldiers and collectors researching and locating the owners of the flags and returning them to the family in Japan. |
