Historic WWII flags transfer from Battleship Missouri back to Japan

The USS Missouri Memorial Association, in partnership with the OBON SOCIETY, celebrated a pivotal moment in peace and reconciliation with the formal transfer of custody of three Yosegaki Hinomaru—unique heirlooms created for Japanese servicemen by their parents, family and friends. This event, held on Oct. 3, honored the ongoing unity between the United States and Japan, 79 years after World War II officially ended aboard the USS Missouri.

The ceremony featured the viewing of the three Yosegaki Hinomaru flags, originally presented to Japanese servicemen during World War II. Each flag, inscribed with signatures, messages of hope and love from family and friends, is a deeply personal artifact that speaks to the human side of war. These flags represent the servicemen’s spirits and their unbreakable ties to their families and country.

These historic flags have been part of the USS Missouri’s collection for many years, with one arriving shortly after the ship’s opening as a museum in 1999. Since then, the awareness of the importance of these artifacts has grown, with ongoing research shedding new light on the deep cultural connections they represent. 

As the USS Missouri Memorial Association approaches the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, this flag transfer carries profound significance. It symbolizes a renewed commitment to peace and the importance of educating future generations about the power of understanding and healing. Returning these heirlooms, once taken as wartime souvenirs by Allied servicemen, marks a crucial step in closing old wounds and restoring these cherished items to the families they rightfully belong to.

“This ceremony is a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring the past while looking toward a peaceful future,” said Michael Carr, President and Chief Executive Officer of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “By transferring these historic flags to OBON SOCIETY, we not only recognize their cultural and emotional significance but also reaffirm our role in fostering reconciliation between nations that were once at war.”

Following the viewing, a formal presentation was held in which the flags were folded and transferred to the OBON SOCIETY, who will conduct further research on them in Astoria, Oregon, as part of their ongoing mission to heal the lingering grief among World War II families and strengthen peace between nations.

“The return of these flags is a profound act of reconciliation and healing,” said Rex Ziak, co-founder and president of OBON SOCIETY. “The government of Japan lists more than one million MIA servicemen from WWII. These unique, personalized flags, each one as unique as a fingerprint, are the only existing trace of these men and they can be traced back to family with 100% accuracy. By returning these heirlooms, we offer these families the closure they have long sought, and in doing so, we strengthen the bridge of peace between our nations.”

This flag transfer represents more than a simple handover; it stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation and a shared commitment to healing the wounds of war. As both the USS Missouri Memorial Association and OBON SOCIETY continue their missions, today’s ceremony served as a reminder that peace is not only about ending conflict but also about remembering the past and working together to create a more unified future.