Okinawa Shima [Signed Photograph]

“Our first trip to Okinawa April 29, 1945”

This is an interesting and unusual commemoration of aviation service during World War II. An 8″ x 10″ photograph of the island of Okinawa has been heavily updated with manuscript annotations and signatures that reflect a specific trip that took place in late April 1945. The battle had commenced less than a month prior, beginning with the largest amphibious assault of the Pacific Theater. Air support was a critical component of the engagement, and the image has been overlaid with an approach centered on a high spot overlooking the western beaches (the initial point of invasion). Radio frequencies and callsigns are listed at the bottom.

The crew was apparently comprised of four U.S. Army pilots and three members of the Marine Corps. The signatures in the upper left possibly correspond to Alfred L. Sprague, Roger M. Van Kirk, William J. Stadlman, and Timothy J. Daly. The only individual I’ve been able to validate is Sprague, who was a member of the 544th Bomber Squadron in Europe. He was among the first crew to complete the required 25 missions in January 1944, so it’s uncertain why he might have been in the Pacific over a year later!

Sources: Hangar Thirteen; American Air Museum;