In difficult times, the little things become more special — a photograph, a favorite hat, a kitschy souvenir from a close friend. These little things are like treasures to the soul.
Using this method, Lt. Col. Patrick Cichon of the California Air National Guard discovered a treasure trove in his father's old trunk, but the value of these valuables was only found an ocean away.
Chichon, the 129th Medical Group commander, stumbled across letters, memorabilia and photos from his father's time in the military during World War II in a language that was foreign yet familiar: Japanese, a language he now shares with his wife after decades together.
Shichon is dedicated to empowering and building relationships with the Japanese American community in Southern California. His nonprofit organization, the Nova Vita Foundation, organizes festivals and hosts programs and clubs for adults and children. Clearly, he knew he had to bring these items back home — not to his hometown, but to theirs.
“I'm honored to be here (in Okinawa) to return to the Japanese people the items that my father saved from destruction during World War II,” he said. “He preserved them on the battlefield so that today we can return them to the country where they belong.”
The colonel's father, U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Casimir Joseph Chision, who fought in the 90-day Battle of Okinawa, the deadliest battle of any engagement in the Pacific Theater, had kept some of the items with the intention of returning them before returning home.
Of these items, Chichon brought home three textile products: one was a simple bag with his name on it, another was a handkerchief woven with a stylized kabuto (samurai helmet) pattern, and the last was a towel embroidered with two names.
In addition, Chichon's father brought back photographs and letters, which Chichon himself displayed in two separate exhibits.
With all five items in hand at Naha airport, the easy part was over and Chi-Chon had arrived in Japan. Now he had to figure out how to get these items to the right people.
“I worked with the cultural liaison assigned to the mission,” Chichon explains, “and we identified three promising locations: the U.S. Consulate General in Naha, the (Japan Air Self-Defense Force), and a local peace museum.”
The Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum stands as a symbol of continuing peace on the island, commemorating the 200,000 people who died in the Battle of Okinawa, and was Chichon's obvious first choice.
In fluent Japanese, Chichon conveyed his intentions to the museum curator, who thought the fabric artifacts should be handed over to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Consulate General, but found the photos and letter intriguing.
“One of the photographs of a man on horseback actually belongs to an aristocrat from a powerful Okinawan family,” he said, translating and summarizing the curator's words during the relocation process. “The other one is of a boy in middle school. Really, they all tell a different story.”
The curators called the museum directors, who also expressed a desire to see the exhibits. Sichon presented each of the directors with a Commander's coin to express his gratitude, and the directors also expressed their sincere gratitude to Sichon.
Thanks to the curator and director's appraisal, other items are now ready to be sent to their new home.
The bags were actually relief supplies with a woman's name on them, likely a nurse or office worker. The stylized handkerchief was a soldier's keepsake. The two were turned over by the 163rd Wing Public Affairs Office to an Air Self-Defense Force public affairs officer stationed at Naha Air Base. The Japanese airman contacted local and national army and navy military museums to request their collection.
In the end, all that remained was a towel. With the cooperation of the U.S. Consulate General, which received the remains, it was confirmed that the towel was made at a high school in Gunma Prefecture. The towel was provided to the high school by an insurance company, and the high school gave it to a student who likely became a soldier immediately after graduation. At the time of writing, the U.S. Consulate General has confirmed that the Gunma Prefectural Museum has received the towel.
In just two weeks, the five items completed a journey of nearly 80 years. Through war, travel, and time, the letters, photographs, and memorabilia had survived perfectly intact. Forgotten by most, these items were treasured by those who assumed their care, both Japanese and American.
Dozens of people kept these items safe, ensuring they would be treated as the precious gifts they deserve as treasured gifts to the soldiers and their families who fought in that brutal war. Now preserved forever in museums across Japan, these relics will forever cement the new friendship between our two nations.
Lt. Col. Sichon's mission to return these artifacts reflects America's unwavering commitment to our allies. The dedication he demonstrated to get these artifacts to Japan is a testament to the values of respect, understanding and cooperation that are the foundation of U.S. diplomatic relations. By overcoming obstacles and navigating the complexities of international cultural heritage, Lt. Col. Sichon not only honored his father's legacy, but also strengthened the bond between the United States and Japan.
Date of shooting: July 26, 2024 Date of posting: August 15, 2024 15:38 Story ID: 478022 Location: Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture Web views: 2 Downloads: 0 Public domain
This piece, “US Airman Returns WWII Relic to Japanese Citizens,” is by SSgt Austin Harvill, identified by DVIDS, and must comply with the restrictions set forth at https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
