WWII Signed Japanese Flag

Signed WWII Japanese flag from the Pacific campaign

I bought this flag a while a go on an US auction. It was brought back from the pacific war by a US veteran. The flag is a classic "meat ball" flag and it shows a lot of wear, yellowing with small holes. the flag is signed be 17 US soldiers and measures approx. 95x70cm (37x27 inches).

I have tried to find as much as I can about the flag and the soldiers who signed it, but unlike the signed German flags, this one has been very difficult to identify. What I do know is the platoon came from the 81st division 321st infantry group which fought in the Pacific between 17th of September 1944 until 12th of August 1945 where they had a rest and then moved to Japan as occupation force until they were dismantled/inactivated on the 30th of January 1946.

Source: https://history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cc/081id.htm

The writing on the flag has started to disappear and some of it is really difficult to read. I was hoping to find a date or year of the signing but unfortunately there isn't. I have been through KIA records for the 321st infantry but none of the GI's was apparently killed during combat. This means this flag can have been signed in 1944 during fighting or later as an occupation force or even at a reunion party many years later. My own thought is it was signed during occupation in Japan so between 15th of August 1945 until 30th of January 1946.

Elroy Francis Mladek

Elroy is the one I found the most about. Maybe because he received the Bronze Star Medal. In the book "The 81st infantry Wildcat division" is written he gunned down five Japanese soldiers and then led his squad into an assault position where another twenty some soldier was killed. This happened on Peleliu 24th September 1944

Johnny Dubose Putnam

The only thing I found about him, is a page of his grave.
Link to grave site: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130886517/johnny-dubose-putnam

Soldier tabel

Below is a list of the GI's I have been able to read. Some of the names might be wrong. Question mark means I'm uncertain :)

Name of FlagReal NameD/Y of BirthD/Y of DeathResidentsMili service dateArmy Serial
Pat AronePatsy A Arone1912Friday, 19 June 1992Niagra FallsSaturday, 22 May 194332932790
Larry J DemattHazleton, PA
Chas.  T. ArmstrongCharles?1915?Flerin I.H.?
Johnny PutnamJohnny Dubose Putnam12 aug. 19236 nov 2009Charlotte N.C
Winston RogensWinsong Rogers?North Little rock, Arkansas
Ben C MurawskiBenjamin C MurawskiThursday, 21 March 1918Tuesday, 4 June 1991Cook, ILLINOISThursday, 18 June 1942, wounded in action36351079
Marvin D Matters? Marwild Matters?walla walla washington
Henry H  WoodApopka, flaMonday, 15 June 194234207272?
Harry B WilliamsCharlotte, N.C.
Luther C WilliamsPeo..A, ill ?
Marvin W RamerMarvin W Ramer1921?Clinton, ArkMonday, 15 June 1942, wounded i action38177991
James PeltPort Oregon
Chester HubbertSado Illinois
Elroy Miadek?Elroy Francis Mladek19182001MontgomeryPlatoon leader??, Bronze star
Parmona ?
Louis E AlbertLakewood?
Ole LarsonBrandon, Mina?


Images of the flag














So If you know any about the platoon let me know. I'm still looking for a rooster of the 321st infantry. I don't know which battalion or company they were in. Also I you know the veterans, have stories or photos I will by more than happy to share them on this site along with the flag.

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