Wound badge

[SARGE]

Gents,

 

I just picked up a nice Japanese Wound Badge that I thought I would show.  I believe this is the version that was awarded for wounds received rather than the identical badge that was awarded for illness.  Dual pins on the back and nice red enamel on the front.

 

 

[jmd62]

Very nice, congrats!!

[RRA227]

Nice award.  Rich A. in Pa.

[Tony v]

SARGE

 

   Excellent ! Congratulations very nice indeed

 

Tony

[SARGE]

Thanks for the kudos gents.  

 

Can anyone confirm this is the war wounded version by reading the central writing on the reverse?  

[Ivydiv]

Not sure, but I think it is the badge for Wounded soldiers. I have one the same. Dave

[SARGE]

Thanks Ivydiv.  I thought this Type 38 Wound Badge was the one awarded for wounds rather than illness.

 

 

[Preppy Picker]

Congratulations on such a nice medal.

[abufletcher]

I've asked one of my Japanese friends (and older gentleman who was once one of my students) about the writing on the back.  I'll let you know what he says.

[abufletcher]

My Japanese friend confirmed that this is the type A badge for combat wounds 戦傷 (Sensho).  The shape is supposed to represent a cherry blossom.  A prior iteration of the wound badge took the shape of a shield.

 

This website has lots of information about the evolution of the wound badge.

[SARGE]

Thanks for the follow-up information.

 

I watched a 1944 Japanese movie last week concerning the heroic sacrifice of parents of their children to die in war for the Emperor.  Interestingly the soldiers who caught diseases while in service and who were released from front line service were considered non-heroic.  The movie showed the plight of these soldiers were considered shameful since they did not give their all and die in combat even though they served as best they could.  An interesting viewpoint on the Japanese mind during the war.