WORLD WAR II JAPANESE FLAG FINALLY RETURNS HOME
American Marine veteran Leonard Skinner and Japanese Ambassador Kenichi Kimiya with the flag. Photo credit: SIBC.
A Japanese flag taken by American troops during the Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942 has been returned to the Japanese Embassy in Solomon Islands.
The flag was taken by an American Marine veteran, Leonard Skinner, on Gavutu Island on August 8, 1942.
Japan’s Ambassador to Solomon Islands Kenichi Kimiya received the flag during a small ceremony yesterday.
During the handover, Ambassador Kimiya expressed gratitude to Steve Goodhew and Leonard Skinner for keeping the flag with respect for such a long time.
He adds, the Japanese national flag will be going back to its home, Japan, after 72 years.
“And now the Japanese flag will finally go back home after 72 years. It will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and then it will be delivered to the grieved family, through the Japanese government.”