1590A EXTRAORDINARY RELIC FROM A JAPANESE NAKAJIMA

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
AIRCRAFT SHOT DOWN AT PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941. This truly one of a kind relic is a painted and stenciled aluminum section from the side of a Nakajima-B5N2 AII-356 type 97 aircraft, serial #3178, that was shot down over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 during the infamous Japanese attack. The Nakajima B5N2 was commonly called a “Kate” by US Naval forces. This plane was launched from the aircraft carrier Kaga during the first wave of the attack. Its torpedo was struck by a U.S. anti-aircraft fire, and the resulting explosion blew off the engine and decapitated the pilot. The plane crashed near the submarine pens just off the southeast tip of Kuahuna inlet/peninsula. The pilot was Lieutenant Mimori Suzuki, the navigator was CPO Tsuneki Morita, and the gunner was PO2 Yoshiharu Machimoto. The relic was recovered by Seaman 2nd Class, Jasper N. Parrilli, who was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the plane was recovered on March 28, 1942. Parrilli kept a detailed diary from January 1, 1942 through January 31, 1945. There is an entry in the diary for nearly every day detailing life in wartime Hawaii. On March 28, 1942, his entry states “Luke Field Duty-yesterday they dug out part of a Jap plane-wing section-got 2 soverniers from it-Wrote to Mom-sent her 4 pictures. Got 3 letters.” The original diary, with its plethora of historic entries, is included in this exceptional lot. The relic is included in an attractive shadowbox measuring 21 1/2" x 17 1/2". Also included in the shadowbox is Parrilli’s photographic ID badge for “NAVAL AIR STATION-PEARL HARBOR”. There is also a large multicolored jacket patch depicting a black half tiger-half airplane with red wings carrying bombs and having machine gun barrels protruding from its wings. The patch is identified as VBF-98 Bombing Fighter Squadron and belonged to Parrilli. A small booklet is also included, titled “To Do Today IN HONOLULU and on OAHU.” Lastly, the frame includes professionally produced pages showing recovery of the aircraft, the pilot, and a group photo of the squadron to which the torpedo bomber belonged. It is an important historical note to state that this plane was one of the first two planes shot down, nearly simultaneously, at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Both of the aircraft were “Kates” from the same squadron based on the Kaga. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: a booklet of research on the naval service of Jasper N. Parrilli, the highlights of his naval service, and information on the recovery and identification of the Nakajima B5N2 with the names of its crew. CONDITION: the relic has clear black stenciling showing Japanese characters and the number “3178”. It was likely cut from a larger piece of aluminum belonging to the “Kate”. The badge, patch, and book all show light wear. The diary also shows light wear but has a missing locking strap. The pages are all in good shape with clear, legible writing. (02-22682/BF). $3,000-5,000.