10-307 Garand Picture of the Day - Iwo Jima

[Mark in Rochester]

Information

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[WarPig1976]

Wonder what happened to the sword....

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Wonder what happened to the sword....

? Funny that was the first thing I noticed.

[RudyN]

Does the marine with the sword have two cartridge belts on or am I seeing things?

[browningautorifle]

two cartridge belts on or am I seeing things?

No, you're right.

[emmagee1917]

As well as a medic's suspender strap.
Chris

[Bill Hollinger]

The sword may be full length and just stabbed into the soft dirt.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

The sword may be full length and just stabbed into the soft dirt.

I wonder were it resides today? Rusted away in place? Displayed on a GIs familly wall? Prehaps worst of all destroyed being used as a machete by some kid in the 50s?

[RCS]

My cousin was on Iwo Jima, landing on the first day, he was in a forward position directing aircraft and naval fire, he said he carried Winchester Model 12 shotgun, he later sent back two large Japanese swords. Do not know if the swords came from Iwo Jima or Japan. My father did not want to keep the swords but kept the Type 99 rifles. He gave the swords back to my cousin. Many years later my cousin located a group that attempts to locate the original relatives in Japan who might be related to the sword owners. The swords have to be taken apart and the marking recorded in order to attempt to trace the family if possible. It took sometime, but my cousin was able to return the swords to Japan

[Bob Seijas]

"used as a machete by some kid in the 50s?" You must be talking about me... I used the one my father sent home to chop down an apple tree. Yes, it was in the '50s.