MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Like many World War II veterans, U.S. Army Cpl. Arthur G. Thompson, serving with the 117th Engineer Regiment, returned home with souvenirs from his time at war. Among them was a Japanese flag that he found after the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines.
As years passed, Thompson often expressed his desire to find the family of the Japanese solider who carried it into battle, but not knowing where to begin, it continued to be passed down for two generations, and has most recently been in the possession of his granddaughter Sarah and her husband, Col. Ryan Stebbins, the Eaker Center for Leadership Development Force Support Professional Development School director.
“Since I am the only service member in the family, the flag was given to us,” said Stebbins. “When we got stationed at Air University, Sarah decided to contact the historian to see what he could recommend with the flag. After considering many options, it became clear that we wanted to honor Cpl. Thompson’s wishes and try to repatriate it back to Japan.”
Although the decision to repatriate was fairly easy, locating the recipient proved to be a challenge. Mr. David Bonner, the Air University historian responsible for coordinating the repatriation, met with Japanese Col. Hirokazu Honda, an Air War College student, to translate the information on the flag.
“I am very honored to join this project,” said Honda “Because for us, our military members, at that time we were enemies. He served for his country, same as us. It has special meaning, that flag, and it has a meaning of good luck, both in war and a wish to come home safely. The war was a hard time, but this flag coming back to his society, it will be a very happy day.”
The flag was identified as a “Good Luck Flag.” During the Pacific War, it was common for Japanese soldiers to carry a Yosegaki Hinomaru (Good Luck Flag) or a Senninbari (Thousand Stitch Band) when going into combat. The four kanji characters at the top of the flag are roughly translated as “May your fortunes be everlasting.”
Honda was able to quickly identify the soldier as Shinyo Huruyasiki, and noted that his home in Japan was easy to identify as his name is unique to a specific region in his homeland. Once identified, Bonner found a nonprofit that assists with the repatriation process.
“I will be sending the flag to The Obon Society,” said Bonner. “It’s a nonprofit organization that specializes in repatriating Japanese war memorabilia. They were recommended by both the National Infantry Museum and the Japanese Embassy.”
Thompson’s family feels grateful that after nearly 80 years, the family of Shinyo Huruyasiki will once again possess an important and special piece of history.