[nickedknack]

Thanks, agree with all. The Japanese have not formally apologized for the manifold atrocities they perpetrated before and during WWII, and this sordid period in their history is glossed over in textbooks -- the Allies made us do it. The new (female) Japanese defense minister, Tomomi Inada, is an atrocity-denier.

Coincidentally, when I was in my first Navy fleet squadron, VF-111 Sundowners, our CV hosted a Japanese-American friendship day aboard the ship when in port Yokuska. Some of our visitors asked why the sunbursts were painted on the tails of our aircraft. The real reason is the squadron (then designated VF-11) waxed the Japs during the Marianas Turkey Shoot. We told them it was in honor of friendship day ;)

[Enchante]

love the photo, and the story!

My great-uncle was in the 32nd “Red Arrow” infantry division throughout the war, and they were in the Philipines in the summer of ‘45 preparing to take part in the invasion of Japan. They actually fought more combat days than any other US unit in WWII, I believe. Anyway, they were quite relieved to avoid the invasion after having fought through New Guinea and the Philipines. They ended up being sent to Japan as part of the occupation force instead of as an invasion force. My mother’s family joined countless millions of Americans in being grateful for the atomic bombings!!

[New Perspective]

HAHA, great reply. I was stationed on Guam and we used to patrol all the Marinas islands and it was like stepping back in time.