[oldvirginian]

The Imperial Japanese army were sadistic bastards who deserved more than the fire bombing of Tokyo and two A bombs.

With that said.....
Marvin Strombo walked the walk during a very tough time in our history.
He can do as he pleases with his trophies. He earned it.

[paddles]

Well said.

[Bigg Red]

Well said.

I wonder if Japan has a similar organization that returns the personal effects of fallen WWII Americans.Doubt it.

[awelliott]

The Imperial Japanese army were sadistic bastards who deserved more than the fire bombing of Tokyo and two A bombs. With that said..... Marvin Strombo walked the walk during a very tough time in our history. He can do as he pleases with his trophies. He earned it.

Yup. Dad fought at Saipan and Okinawa also had a flag, but I have no idea what happened to it as he died suddenly when I was a child and most of his stuff disappeared. Had it still been in the family, I would have kept it as it was a memory of Dad's WWII service. Nevertheless, it was a benevolent act on Mr. Strombo's part...

[wbill]

Well put. I read the article, and it mentioned several times the "guilt" soldiers felt for taking the flags as souvenirs. I've not come across that with any of the veterans I know, was wondering if this was a little revisionism on the part of the author.

Heck, without the souvenir taking, this flag would have been lost, buried, destroyed, 75 years ago. Now, it's been returned by a man who earned the right to return it. An excellent story, all around.

[exit82]

Agreed—good comment.

[Spacetrucker]

Ditto.