Uniform Grp of Rear Admiral Keizo Komura

[JapanX]

... + the medals I do not know about

For this "set" - no more than $1000

[kaigun_shosa]

The "right" combination of classes for rear admiral would be

1/2 class of sacred treasure
2/3 class of rising sun
3/4 class of golden kite

Cheers,
Nick

As far as combinations of awards goes, typically in period photographs you will see rear admirals and Brigadier generals with no higher than the second class award of any of the three Japanese awards unless they were given an award from an allied country such as Thailand, Manchukuo and such. Very rare for a rear admiral or Brigadier general with a second class Sacred Treasure or Rising Sun.
The Golden Kite award class typically is handed out one class higher than what an officer would merit. However, if the last action where the officer would be awarded a Golden Kite at a lower class than 1st or 2nd, then that would be the highest award of that medal the officer would earn. So you could possibly see a general/admiral officer with a 5th/4th/3rd class Golden Kite.

Regards,
Jim

[GHP]

...In the photo of the Rear Admirals tunic, there appears to be a white stripe under the last gold braid on the cuff....

That's good information! My friend's grandfather was force-retired before making Vice Admiral [he was on the list, but two factories under his direct control were destroyed by fire or bomb -- I forgot]. He graduated the Pay Academy B-Course in 1912.

Here is Arakawa Shin as a navy captain [海軍大佐 Kaigun Tai-Sa] ... I can now identify the white stripe now that you made me aware of it:


I don't have an image of him in his formal uniform as a Rear Admiral, only this; but it will show the type of awards a senior rear admiral would likely have:


Taken as the Military Co-president to the Omura Aircraft Factory in Kyushu, 29 April 1943.

--Guy

[kaigun_shosa]

Guy,

If the photos were color, you would be able to see the white strip under his Captains last braid as well as on the formal dress belt. In the other photograph, the white strip borders the collar tabs. That's why they look wide.

I saw these photos in an OMSA article a few months back. Were you the author?

Jim

[GHP]

Still in Family Possession

His medal Bar:

• Taisho Enthronement Medal
• World War 1 Campaign Medal (1914-1920)
• World War I Victory Medal
• Showa Enthronement Medal
• 1931 China Incident Medal
• Manchukuo National Foundation Merit Medal
• 1937 China Incident Medal
• 2600 National Anniversary Commemorative Medal
• [not displayed] the Red Cross Medal.

Order of the Sacred Treasure Second Class:


Order of the Rising Sun Third Class:


Two ribbon bars:





--and--

His cap badge:



--Guy

[GHP]

...I saw these photos in an OMSA article a few months back. Were you the author?

Hi Jim,

Yes, I was co-author with Nyle Monday.

....somebody actually read it!!!! WOO-Hoooooo

--Guy

[kaigun_shosa]

Great article Guy!
It’s too bad that there are very few high ranking groups that can be attributed let alone documented. I have a very nice full dress rear admirals uniform with the guy’s name and photo but I have not begun the reserch on him. In his group is a boxed Order of the Crown of Thailand First Class. Unfortunatley I do not have his medals or his ribbons. He does however, have loops sewn on his full dress for a second class breast star and a first class breast star. Perhaps they are for the 1st class Thai order and the 2nd class Sacred Treasure?!?
Jim

[GHP]

Great article Guy!
It’s too bad that there are very few high ranking groups that can be attributed let alone documented. I have a very nice full dress rear admirals uniform with the guy’s name and photo but I have not begun the reserch on him. In his group is a boxed Order of the Crown of Thailand First Class. Unfortunatley I do not have his medals or his ribbons. He does however, have loops sewn on his full dress for a second class breast star and a first class breast star. Perhaps they are for the 1st class Thai order and the 2nd class Sacred Treasure?!?
Jim

Thanks, Jim. Regarding your research, are you familiar with this website? It's where I found RADM Arakawa's military record.

The main site is in Japanese HERE. For comparison with above English chart, here is Shin Arakawa's chart in Japanese: 荒川。信

Good luck with your research.

--Guy

[JapanX]

His medal Bar

Thank you very much for these photos Guy!

[JapanX]

[SIZE="4"]... you will see rear admirals and Brigadier generals with no higher than the second class award of any of the three Japanese awards

Why in such big letters dear Jim?

If you remember one of possible combinations that I mentioned is 2nd sacred treasure, 3rd class rising sun and 4th class golden kite.

Regards,
Nick