new Inland

[DaveHH]

The Pacific war ended in Aug 1945. It is entirely possible to have arrived late after the surrender and showing up with a new carbine and sitting on Okinawa or Iwo until well into 1946. A lot of clean up, packing up and guard duty to do. Not to mention occupation duty in Japan. If a soldier arrived as part of a unit, having your weapon with you upon arrival is a possibility.