Although the photo depicts Marines destroying
weapons there is no doubt those Marines got
some great souvenirs. My dad who died this
past May was a paratrooper with the 511th PIR/
11th AB. The 11th AB was the first occupation
force in Japan. The paratroopers opened warehouses
to find stored weapons. At one point they located
ceremonial swords and daggers. Some of the swords
were mailed to 11th AB troopers who had been
wounded and sent home. My dad was among those
WIA during the liberation of Manila. I’ve got
the sword here in my house.
Nice.