I won the auction. Did I pay "funny money"?

[Der Texaner]

I don't think so. I'm not sure how many saw this on auction on eBay. Ended up paying $281.00. I was prepared to go about another $90.00, but luckily I didn't have to. To me, it gets no better than this. First, it is IJN, outstanding provenance with letters from the marine who captured it, a write up by Dr. Bortner, and from the Battle of Saipan. An IJN piece picked up on Saipan makes me wonder if it came from a SNLF soldier. No way to know I guess. But such a neat piece, and so well documented, I really wanted it for my collection. Any and all opinions appreciated. If you think I'm a fool for paying that much, it won't hurt my feelings There is one more item I'm going to try hard for. Will know within a week if I get it. If not, there is another piece I'm going to get, but anyhow, hopefully I can show you another new addition to my collection in a few days.

Regards,
Joel

[Der Texaner]

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[Der Texaner]

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[Der Texaner]

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[mcmike]

Knowledge of at least some of the history of the piece is the true value. "Things" come and go, but this is a keeper.

Mike

[Paul G]

Excellent Joel! worth every penny, especially with the weite up from MikeB.

PG-

[1943]

I like it and I think it was worth what you paid. Nice naval piece.

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

Very nice piece with super artwork. Congrats! Regards, David.

[john mack]

Ebay

I remember this guy . He sold all of his usmc camo and gear as well as a lot of japanese bringback items last yea on ebay ......

[kaigunfan]

If you got this piece from Dr. Mike, you will not have any disappointments.

He is one of the nicest, honest guys in a (sometimes) wacky hobby.

[Der Texaner]

Oddly enough, from the seller of this item who is in France, last month or so I purchased a grouping of collar insignia that was gathered by a medic assigned to the 2nd Marines, whose name I have, on Saipan and Tinian. Not the same marine this grouping is named to. It seems as though this French collector (part time dealer?) had an interest in groupings with provenance and is getting rid of some of his material. Thanks for the comments guys.

Joel

[Der Texaner]

If you got this piece from Dr. Mike, you will not have any disappointments.

He is one of the nicest, honest guys in a (sometimes) wacky hobby.

Hi, and thanks. Dr. Mike did the write up, but I didn't purchase from him.

Best...
Joel

[Der Texaner]

Hey guys, I got this set in the mail today. Even better than I expected. No real yellowing to the linen and it is going to make a fine display once I figure out how I'm going to display it. There is a letter, written by the vet and signed, with all of his contact info at the time of the letter being written.

A question for those who would know.....This piece was picked up on Saipan by a PFC in the 20th Regiment, 4th Marine Division. The piece itself belonged to a Japanese sailor. Given it was taken on the island, would this mean it belonged to a NLF soldier? I'm not sure if there is a way to be 100% sure, and frankly it doesn't matter to me, but it would be nice to know what is likely. Thank you! Once I get a display together, I'll post a picture for you guys. Many thanks...

Joel

[Ryukyutunnelrat]

No way of telling who it belong to i.e. Navy or NLF sailor. the IJN 55th Guard Unit (Keibitai) was also with the Yokosuka 1st SNLF assigned to Saipan.

Regards, David.

[Der Texaner]

Thanks David. I have the sailor's name, but its my understanding, as I'm sure most of you already know, its virtually impossible (I've also been told illegal) to get access to service records of Japanese soldiers and sailors. I was just reading up on Saipan. I didn't know the Battle of Saipan had the largest Banzai charge in the history of WWII. Over 3000. Can't imagine what that would have sounded like yet alone been like.

Regards,
Joel

Edited to add this that I found in regards to IJN personal stationed on Saipan...

Central Pacific Area Fleet Headquarters Vice Adm. Chuichi Nagumo 502
5th Base Force Headquarters (this headquarters was combined with Central Pacific Area Fleet Headquarters) Adm. Takahisa Tsujimura
55th Naval Guard Force Capt. Sanji Takashima 2,000
Yokosuka 1st Special Naval Landing Force Lt. Comdr. Tatsue Karashima 800
5th Construction Department Rear Admiral Tsujimura 456
5th Communications Unit Lt. Comdr. Shinasaku Miyazaki 369
41st Naval Guard Force (Straggler Unit) 400
Saipan Branch, 4th Fleet Supplies and Accounts Department Comdr. Makota Mihara 45
1st Branch, Truk Transportation Department Comdr. Akiyoshi Mizumoto
Saipan Harbor Master Department Ens. Shoichi Takahashi 100
Saipan Branch, 4th Naval Stores Department Comdr. Akiyoshi Mizumoto