Name/Title
Imperial Japanese Navy ButtonDescription
Naval anchor with cherry blossom symbolizing the Imperial Japanese Navy, the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender in World War II.Context
Bradley Hartsell spent 10 years in the United States Marine Corps honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. While serving with the 1 Marine Air Wing and the 3 Force Service Support Group in Okinawa, Japan, he formally studied the Japanese language and developed a serious avocation for the history of and the exploration/excavation of Pacific WWII battle sites including Okinawa and Iwo Jima. Bradley excavated tunnel systems, retrieved rare artifacts, and mummified human remains while working with the Japanese Health and Welfare Ministry (Koseisho), Japanese survivors of the Battle for Iwo Jima, and next of kin of soldiers who perished in the battle.
This button is from Bradley's traveling exhibit, where he regularly gave lectures about his exploits and findings during the tunnel excavations. On Sunday, March 1, 2020, Bradley presented his final lecture, culminating with all the artifacts from the traveling exhibit being auctioned off.