Fragment from a Japanese Torpedo Plane

Object/Artifact

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum

Name/Title

Fragment from a Japanese Torpedo Plane

Description

A thin, jagged sheet of metal with a chipping green paint and a small rivet hole near the flat edge. The back side has a handwritten note from Samuel Wingrove that reads "Fragment From Japanese Torpedo Plane; Sam Wingrove Collection."

Use

Originally part of a Japanese torpedo plane built to fight in World War II, the fragment became a souvenir and reminder of the Battle of Okinawa after being pocketed by Wingrove.

Context

This fragment was picked up and kept by Samuel Wingrove. A plank owner and Water Tender aboard the USS Laffey (DD-724) during World War II, Wingrove was present for both D-Day and the Battle of Okinawa. The Battle of Okinawa is the source of this fragment with the metal shard coming from either an Aichi D3A "Val" or a Yokosuka D4Y "Judy" Japanese torpedo plane. As a Water Tender, Wingrove had first access to fragments left by kamikaze attacks on April 16, 1945 as the sailors fought to put out the flames. Wingrove would go on to serve in the Korean War and retire as a US Navy Chief Petty Officer.

Collection

Samuel Wingrove Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2024.42

Source or Donor

Samuel Edward "Sam" Wingrove

Acquisition Method

Found in Collection

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1945

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Label

Location

Back of fragment

Transcription

FRAGMENT FROM JAPANESE TORPEDO PLANE SAM WINGROVE COLLECTION

Language

English

Material/Technique

Ink, In Artist's Hand

Update Date

June 20, 2025