Lockdown Cleanings Prompt Efforts To Return World War II Artifacts
04:24
Copy the code below to embed the WBUR audio player on your site
Tom Banse, Northwest News Network
The WWII flag submitted by Greg Murphy of Portland was traced back to a fallen Japanese soldier who carried it into battle in 1944. The mayor of Chita City, Japan, second from right, hosted a ceremony in 2019 where a nephew of the soldier, second from left, accepted the returned flag. (Courtesy of Obon Society, 2019)
Pandemic stay-at-home orders gave lots of households extra time for spring cleaning. Some people rediscovered World War II artifacts, including inscribed Japanese flags taken as souvenirs by American soldiers from Pacific battlefields.
Now aging veterans and their descendants are attempting to return memorabilia to the families of their former enemies ahead of a milestone anniversary.
Close up of the Japanese flag that Greg Murphy gave back to relatives of the fallen soldier who carried it into battle in World War II. (Courtesy of Obon Society, 2019)
