US WWII Marine returns flag to fallen Japanese soldier’s family

[Baz]

Great story:

HIGASHISHIRAKAWA, Japan — A 93-year-old former Marine carried a calligraphy-covered flag to a small Japanese village Tuesday, keeping a battlefield promise he made more than seven decades ago.

In the summer of 1944, Marvin Strombo was a sniper scout serving with the 6th Marine Regiment on the Pacific island of Saipan, where U.S. and Japanese forces fought one of World War II’s bloodiest battles.

The young Marine was on the outskirts of the island’s capital city, Garapan, when he took the red and white Japanese flag from a fallen Japanese soldier.

He brought the flag home to Missoula, Mont., but always hoped to return it to its rightful owners. After a 5,000-mile journey to the village of Higashishirakawa in Japan’s mountainous Gifu Prefecture, Strombo, 93, finally completed that mission, handing the delicate heirloom to the fallen soldier’s family members.

Go here for more:

https://www.stripes.com/news/us/us-wwii-vet-returns-flag-to-fallen-japanese-soldier-s-family-1.482878#.WZL-cekpDyR


Former Marine Marvin Strombo, 93, hands a Japanese flag to the family of the fallen soldier he took it from in 1944 on Saipan, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017.

[Seahawk]

Better than great.

Thanks for posting. Made my day.

[asphaltgambler]

The look on his face..............tells of the satisfaction of him completing his final mission..

[flatbutt]

If you need an example of honor here it is.

[MRM]

If any veterans here or their families wanting to return artifacts found on the battlefield, you should be aware that there is an organization associated with the Vietnam War Memorial that assists veterans trying to return personal items that they found on the battlefield. They translate letters, try to locate living relatives, etc. If any of the vets here have anything like that there is a process for doing it.

I tried to Google the name of the organization but I couldn't find it. I have a book at home that has the name and contact information. I'll post it here this evening when I have a chance.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

If you need an example of honor here it is.

^^^^ This!!!

[look 171]

Amazing, just like the Viet Nam vet that returned the photo of a solider and his daughter. I cried like a lil' baby when I saw that story on TV.

[Hawkeye's-911T]

Kinda proves there is hope for us a species. God bless him.

[Tobra]

I think I have something in my eye

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

If you need an example of honor here it is.

Yup

[MBAtarga]

Neat story I grant you, but why did he wait 73 years to return it? Seems he didn't want to give it up too badly...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Neat story I grant you, but why did he wait 73 years to return it? Seems he didn't want to give it up too badly...

Who knows why...I dunno, doesn't matter imo. Maybe he put it away (along with horrific recollections) for decades....like many vets did? I don't think your version is it though